Cloud Microphone’s Cloudlifter CL-1 and CL-2 Mic Activator
To achieve better sound, you can start with using a good microphone and a good preamp. The Zoom H4n works well with many self powered microphones, but may not always have enough power for more professional high end microphones. In this situation, Cloudlifter offers a CL-1 and CL-2 Mic Activator. Designed for all passive microphones – including dynamic and ribbons- the CL-1 & 2 safely uses any standard phantom powered microphone input device to provide up to +25db of ultra-clean, transparent gain. No batteries needed as it will use the 48V Phantom power from the Zoom H4n.
Cloudlifters dramatically improve the performance of passive microphone signals by driving stronger, cleaner signals over longer XLR cable runs, making them ideal for broadcast, live, and studio applications. This Cloud Microphone device keeps the direct audio path free-and-clear of transformers, capacitors, and resistors, the CL-1 & 2 houses direct-coupled, discrete JFET circuitry that delivers one or two independent channels of clean performance while preserving the natural sonic characteristics of the source. Available in a one channel or two channel design (click here).
Cloud Microphone’s CloudLifter Mic Activator
Nice find! I’ll have to research this more, but I was a bit fuzzy on: “The phantom power won’t get past the CL-1 so you won’t get a boost out of your condenser mics, but will from dynamic mics.” How is that? I rarely if ever use dynamic mics for video. I use wired lavs and shotguns though (both condensers) that have pretty low output and get trashed by my DR-40′s mediocre preamps. These would be boosted by the CL-1 allowing me to lower the input level on the recorder, right? I guess I’m unclear on how this device uses the phantom power from the recorder. Is there a sound person out there that could explain this for me?
I think I found the answer to my own question.
http://cloudmicrophones.com/cloud12/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CL_Review_2UP-page-one3.jpg
This other review says that the device itself is powered by phantom power, but is designed for passive mics, like dynamic or ribbon mics. So it doesn’t seem like it would work with a phantom powered shotgun, because the mic would go unpowered. Based on this, it seems more of a tool for music studios that use vintage mics than for film and video that use shotguns, hypers and lavs primarily. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
Hi Jay, the CloudLifter is powered on Phantom, but does not provide Phantom power to microphones. For voice over type work in video you would you could get better results from a vocal microphone over an average shotgun mic or LAV mic. For a small voice over setup you could use the Zoom H4n with a nice dynamic microphone that does not use phantom power, but you will need additional gain that the CloudLifter can provide.
I wonder if the Cloudlifter would work with a powered shotgun mic such as the Rode NTG2? I was looking for an alternative to the juicedLINK preamp that did so well in the recent test seen at NoFilmSchool, FilmmakerIQ, etc. But obviously the Cloudlifter would need power that the camera could not provide. It would be cool such an elegant divice could add some quality to the Zoom H4N. The same test convinced me to upgrade to the Tascam Dr-680. Thanks for the post.
@Michael I’ve used the Cloudlifter with the Rode NTG2 and powered it with the Zoom H4N, the sound quality was totally fine. We used this for a VO recently and it definitely worked out.