Cloudlifter CL-1 and CL-Z - Sound Speeds Review

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There's a lot that can be said for Cloud Microphone's Cloudlifter line of microphone activators. If you're not familiar with microphone activators, they use phantom power to create a boost in the output signal of dynamic, ribbon and tube microphones connected to them.
The Cloudlifter CL-1 is commonly sold accompanying the Shure SM7B because that microphone requires a lot of gain and many preamps today are noisy at higher gain levels. In that circumstance, you may reach for a Cloudlifter so you don't have to turn up your gain as high.
Some people online swear by Cloudlifters while other say you're better off spending that extra money on a better interface or recorder with quieter preamps. In this video we'll test both the Cloudlifter CL-1 and CL-Z and by the end of the video, you'll have formed an opinion on if it's worth the money or not.
To purchase a Cloudlifter CL-1:geni.us/CloudlifterCL1
To purchase a Cloudlifter CL-Z: geni.us/CloudlifterCLZ
For info about Cloudlifters: cloudmicrophones.com
Full disclosure: Cloud Microphones sent me both the CL-1 and CL-Z to review but that in no way affected my opinion or shaped my review. The purchase links above contain Amazon Affiliated Links.
Note: Cloudlifters don't repair the signal therefore any signal that enters it, whether clean or dirty, will be boosted without prejudice.
To watch my video on the various Colors of Noise: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5R1QxLfaXtc.html
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Опубликовано:

31 окт 2017

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Комментарии : 114

@Mahalobro 6 лет назад

Man, I'm enjoying this scope you provide us on knowledge in regards to sound. Your teachings are direct, straight to the point and short enough to keep me drawn in. Keep it up, enjoying the hardware KB on someone who has almost seen/used it all. Also, awesome job on season 2, haha. Glad Booth Junkie(Mike) announced your channel, looking forward to seeing this content grow.

@SoundSpeeds 6 лет назад

Ha, yes - s2. Thank you. Shhhh... Thank you for the kind words. More awesomeness to come!

@sinless 2 года назад

New subscriber here, I’m very impressed by your professionalism and extensive knowledge of microphones. Wow! Thank you so much.

@SoundSpeeds 2 года назад

Thank you. :-) Welcome aboard!

@xinnor2790 6 месяцев назад

I’ve been thinking about using SM-7B on the road for music. Now it stays at home with a Grace m101 pre. Thanks for the video.

@SoundSpeeds 6 месяцев назад

Sure thing. Thanks for watching

@LegitMeow 5 лет назад

Great videos. I have a cl-1 and 2i2. I want to get a 286s. Is there any point in using the cl-1 with the 286s, or should I leave it out?

@SoundSpeeds 5 лет назад

It won't hurt at all unless you're sensitive to the impedance shift in your mic. It's so slight in my opinion I'd say use it.

@matrixate 9 месяцев назад

I agree. If you can, the Z model shapes your mic tone and shapes the noise floor to make it less audible to a certain extent. The 1 model doesn't do that. It does make a difference.

@SoundSpeeds 9 месяцев назад

👍

@roland1313 6 лет назад

great review!

@SoundSpeeds 6 лет назад

Thank you. I really dig these little problem solvers.

@chasebethersonton5169 7 месяцев назад

Dude, thank you!!!!

@SoundSpeeds 7 месяцев назад

Sure thing!

@KajeneDawkins 7 дней назад

🥰Great review🤩

@SoundSpeeds 2 дня назад

Thank you.

@NovelMeetsEvilPodcast 4 года назад

[Forgive my ignorance please] When I plug my (Sterling ST170 active ribbon) into a Cloudlifter Z and then into Scarlett interface and it does nothing until I activate the Scarlett phantom power. Doesn’t this indicate that the 48V is actually getting through to the mic? Otherwise why would the 48V button do anything at all? Also, despite even the manual for the mic stating that it does not require phantom power, this mic plugged directly into the interface is silent till I hit 48V.

@SoundSpeeds 4 года назад

This is normal. The microphone itself doesn't require phantom power but is very low sensitivity. The Cloudlifter CL-1 uses phantom power to create about 26-28dB of gain so the mic doesn't require so much gain on your interface preamps. This lowers the noise floor. The CL-1 does NOT pass this phantom power to your microphone though.

@AgeofBoredom 6 лет назад

Another great video! Thank you. I have a question if you would be so kind to give me your opinion... I currently run a Rode NTG4 (inherited from a previous video job) into a Scarlett 2i2 for voice over on my gaming channel. Unfortunately the room I record in is close to a main road so I do get some background noise occasionally, changing room is not really an option at this point. I've been thinking about picking up a Shure SM58 to hopefully remove some of the background noise. Would you recommend getting a CL-1 to use with the SM58?

@SoundSpeeds 6 лет назад

Age of Boredom With an SM58, you are right on the line with a 2i2. The background noise will be noticeable but you can expand it out and you're good. It's not a deal killer if you don't have one. If you want to be safe, go ahead and get it especially if you have the money. You'll run the gain pretty hot to get a normal level and could be alright. In short, try it without first then buy one if you need to.

@AgeofBoredom 6 лет назад

Awesome, thank you for answering so quick. Yeah the SM58 is easy to get in the UK but it seems that the Cloudlifters are harder to come by so I didn't want to make all the effort to get one if it was for naught. Thanks again! Loving the videos, I'm learning a lot and becoming aware of all the stuff I don't know (even more).

@SoundSpeeds 6 лет назад

Age of Boredom Edit are the best in my opinion. Another product to consider, that may be easier to get your hands on, is the Triton Fethead. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_fzqdSlubn0.html

@AgeofBoredom 6 лет назад

I've seen the Fethead in a few videos by Podcastage (who was the person who first mentioned your channel in one of his vlog videos). It certainly would be easier to pick up as I Dutch friends, so worst case scenario I could have it sent over from the Netherlands. Another option I was initially discounting due to space constraints, but I now actually believe just have the space for (by 5mm), is the DBX286 and use this with my NTG4 Shotgun (for now) to remove some of the background noise with the Gate as well as save some of my post production workflow by having a little compression in the initial signal chain. As you can see, I'm really a complete newbie fumbling in the dark, haha. Thanks again for coming back to me.

@SoundSpeeds 6 лет назад

Age of Boredom I reviewed the DBX 286S too. It's awesome and highly recommended! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-U2CHeLPVmD4.html

@toddweaversound 2 года назад

When using an SM7B in my studio, I use the cloud lifter. My API preamps don’t have enough gain in my opinion for that mic.

@SoundSpeeds 2 года назад

Yeah, that's a common thing. Watch this video though: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9dZs6N1lJkY.html

@JuanKharlox17 5 лет назад

Would the cloudlifter cl1 work with the rode ntg4+ shotgun mic (the ntg4+ can power itself with phantom power) so if you pair this 2 will I get a cleaner audio cause of the singnal boost?

@bmcconnon 5 лет назад

Cloudlifters use phantom power and will not pass it through to the mic. However, if you're using the ntg4+ internal battery to power the mic, in theory you should be able to use a Cloudlifter for added gain.

@JuanKharlox17 5 лет назад

@@bmcconnon that's what I was thinking but idk if it's gonna overpower the mic and fuck it up so I haven't try it yet

@bmcconnon 5 лет назад

Since it doesn't pass any power to the mic, it can't over power it. It adds gain going into the preamp/mixer/interface. If it's too much gain, simply dial down the volume. That's the beauty of it - you can back off the preamp so that the noise floor is lower.

@JuanKharlox17 5 лет назад

Dude I tried it out and It works like a fucking charm, the audio was very clean, no noise at all, It sounds so crispy and I had to get the mic really far from my mouth cause it was peaking at 0db the mic has a -10db feature I turned on and I think is gonna be my new go to set up for interviews and film stuff. IT IS AMAZING!!!

@JuanKharlox17 5 лет назад

You were so right

@skate3rules13 5 лет назад

So this does add brightness to a voice but doesn’t make it sound deeper at all? See I need something that will help add more low end/deepness to my voice when I sing

@SoundSpeeds 5 лет назад

Have you considered a DBX 286S? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-U2CHeLPVmD4.html

@skate3rules13 5 лет назад

Sound Speeds that would help my voice sound more deeper and defined?

@SoundSpeeds 5 лет назад

@@skate3rules13 Watch my review. The enhancer* is what you might be interested in.

@lumpyfishgravy 5 лет назад

Sulphur Hexaflouride can be entertaining. It's like reverse Helium. More seriously, you could try some saturation - a good preamp will do some of this for you, but you can also add it in post. If you're using a directional mic, getting closer will add bass due to the proximity effect (but use a pop shield). If you want to go full-bore you can buy gear like Aphex Big Bottom for that VOG / shock jock sound. I guess they use a mix of technologies and probably some multiband compression to balance it out.

@jennacjohnson1969 3 года назад

Sound Speeds I need the same thing being a female. I need something to add warmth as well as clarity

@lilipey 2 года назад

This accesory works with phantom power requiered microphones like the deity mic s-2?

@SoundSpeeds 2 года назад

No. It doesn't pass phantom. For that you'd need something like a Fethead Phantom. Honestly though, you shouldn't need anything for a condenser.

@lilipey 2 года назад

the problem I have is that my tascam 70d1 recorder I have to use it with the knob at the maximum in medium gain, because if I put it in high gain the hiss is too high.

@lilipey 2 года назад

I don't know if flahead would help with that problem. Thanks Allen

@SoundSpeeds 2 года назад

Fethead Phantom should help then.

@nicholasnoble1485 3 года назад

Wondering what these would sound like on a sm57 or 58... Great video!

@SoundSpeeds 3 года назад

Thank you. It'll sound like a 57 or 58 with less self noise

@MCEEZR 2 года назад

I just picked up the CL-1 and used it on a snare with a 57 and was able to get 100% of my gain from the CL-1 and go into a line input and peak at -12 in logic which is what I aim for so that’s pretty cool. Overall I think it sounds better than the gain I was getting from the Octopre, less noise etc. Haven’t tried with the 58 yet

@SoundSpeeds 2 года назад

Very good

@matrixate 9 месяцев назад

I have the CL-Z. I tried on it on the SM57. It lowers noise by several db, nothing ground shattering, but noticeable. However, the mic has a filter sound when you increase the output impedance and makes the mic sound more expensive. This could be good if you use saturation and tape plugins.

@SoundSpeeds 9 месяцев назад

Years ago a friend of mine sent me a formula to use that allows you to dial in the impedance to exactly what it should be to make your mic/interface match perfectly. The Z could be set for exactly that... if you really want it to be set "as intended". I decided not to do a video about it though because very few people would hear a difference or care

@joebrown4897 5 лет назад

Great review, you actually remind me of one of my favourite artists... Mick Hucknall of Simply Red fame. Just getting into this space as a new project hobby. Any advice welcomed

@SoundSpeeds 5 лет назад

Space?

@joebrown4897 5 лет назад

@@SoundSpeeds Yes, the area that you currently occupy as a person with extensive knowledge. I admire your exuberance and informative style. I know little or nothing of sound recording and you seem be the guide to knowledge.

@SoundSpeeds 5 лет назад

@@joebrown4897 Ahhhh... thank you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

@TheBeeOBee 3 года назад

I got a CL-Z yesterday for $170, and it makes me excited to start a mic locker of weirdo dynamics.

@SoundSpeeds 3 года назад

Cool! Just keep in mind that it changes your preamp. Watch this. Ideo for more info: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9dZs6N1lJkY.html

@TheBeeOBee 3 года назад

@@SoundSpeeds Watching now, thanks!

@SoundSpeeds 3 года назад

Thank you for watching. :-)

@TheBeeOBee 3 года назад

@@SoundSpeeds Good points made about going after the right preamp, but I'm into music and sound design, as well, and the artistic options the CL-Z bring to the table are worth it to me. There are some $1500 charactery tube preamps that sound really noisy if you crank the gain on a quiet mic. With one of these, a dynamic can stay in that sweet spot range. So this can solve both low end and high end problems. I'm so mad that I missed two cheap ribbon mics on craigslist this weekend - the nady for $60 and fathead for $100. Both would have been fun with variable impedence. Cheers!

@SoundSpeeds 3 года назад

You're absolutely right - they are problem solvers but not always the solution. Out of curiosity, was it the Nady ribbon I used 4 of in this video? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cJiiO6OKkkk.html

@wrigna1 Год назад

How does someone know if they need this product? Do only certain people need it for certain specific reasons?

@SoundSpeeds Год назад

Watch this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9dZs6N1lJkY.html

@computerlen 4 года назад

I have not seen this entire video but so far your description of how the Cloudlifter works is incorrect. I have the wiring circuit of the Cloudlifter and at no time does audio pass trough a resistor or capacitor. Now to continue watching this video...

@SoundSpeeds 4 года назад

Uh, yeah... that comment was saying "whatever is in there" which I have no idea of. Admittedly so.

@anthonyholder4490 2 года назад

⚫️ Hello my friend, I’m writing from Marseille in south of France. please, in fact, what is the point of using a CL-Z rather than a CL-1 ❓ I got several mics as Neumann U-87ai, SE Electronics Voodoo VR2, Devine BM-1000 … I made a home-studio for recording my voice, my acoustic, electro-acoustic and electric guitars. Massive thanXXX for your reply Anthony⚫️

@SoundSpeeds 2 года назад

It used to be more important to impedance match microphones in early analog audio and some people still like to in order to pull out the true sound of a ribbon or dynamic microphone. The idea being that if you properly match impedance, you'll hear the microphone as it was truly intended. Cloud does go over this a bit on their website and recommended certain settings for certain microphones. www.cloudmicrophones.com/cloudlifter-cl-z

@GothPunk-ul8jz 5 лет назад

Has anyone got a SubZero SZ-MA1? they are only £20...looking for peoples experience when using one.

@SoundSpeeds 5 лет назад

I haven't. Did you try Podcastage? He does a lot of mic reviews.

@A7mad. 2 года назад

I want to use shure sm7b with more than 6 inches distance and available interface in my country is , Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, Audient iD14 MKII , scarlet 2i2 3rd gen, Solid State Logic SSL 2+, Universal Audio Volt 2 USB Audio Interface , Audient iD4 MKII, goxlr mini, universal audio volt 2 and there is some options over 1000$ like RME Babyface Pro FS and Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 , Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition but I cant afford them now, what's from these choices well suite me and give me the best of these mic and do I need with usb power only

@SoundSpeeds 2 года назад

Of those choices I'd personally recommend the SSL2+ for your use case. The SM7b will require more gain than most mics and using it over 6 inches away will require more. Why spend money on something to increase your clean gain when you can get an better interface not need one?

@A7mad. 2 года назад

@@SoundSpeeds thank you very much , that's help a lot I well gonna order it

@SoundSpeeds 2 года назад

Sure thing. Happy to help. Also, watch this video to explain more: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9dZs6N1lJkY.html

@keyosuke 6 лет назад

I like the review, but I'm so tired of CL-1 and CL-ZI reviews mentioning Shure SM7B, since the benefit these provide is just as important and useful to everything Dynamic Shure makes, including my 55SH, 565SD, and SM58. Thanks for having a video that shows someone turning the knob while making noise continuously. So few reviews of the ZI have that.

@SoundSpeeds 6 лет назад

I hear you about the pairing of the SM7B with the Cloudlifter. Unfortunately, there's not another dynamic mic in it's price range that requires almost 60 db of gain to get a decent level out of it at regular speaking volume. Condensers don't require so much gain. Most preamps get really noisy near their max gain and many only offer 60db of gain so it works as a natural pairing with the Cloudlifter. I found that with my MixPre-6, since it offers so much gain, I wouldn't ever need a mic activator with it even if I were whispering so the Cloudlifter isn't necessary.

@keyosuke 6 лет назад

All three of those mics I listed (especially the 565SD which is an older model so it has even lower output) perform terribly on many, many audio interfaces / audio capture cards, but particularly, my mAudio Fast Track Pro. To your voice get it anywhere near an acceptable volume level without putting the Fast Track Pro's "Gain" knob so high it's distorted, you need a different pre-amp. Before I bought my Fast Track Pro interface I read endless reviews and low sensitivity/crappy pre-amp seemed to really plague a lot of them, based on what Amazon users had to say, so I think CL-1 has a great use as a Band-Aid for that. Even in the cases where you're not using a low end audio interface, I feel the sound of my non-neodymium dynamic mics survives longer cable runs sounding better if amplified before the run. Thanks again for making such an informative video. The only thing I could have really asked for was having someone with a bass and guitar do the same "constant sound during a Z knob turn" test you did, as there are videos where people claim the CL-ZI is a miracle for bass, but they don't play with the knob enough to get a taste for the change the ZI is providing, so you have to take the guy's word for it or buy it to test.

@SoundSpeeds 6 лет назад

Yeah, the closest I can do to showcasing a deep voice is my 6 voiceover test and in this review, I do use the deep voiced actor and played the same exact sound at each of the main settings on the CL-Z. I know it's quick but I show the frequency response while letting you hear it.

@iam607 4 года назад

'THE QUICK ONYX GOBLIN JUMPED OVER THE LAZY DWARF' 🤯

@SoundSpeeds 4 года назад

Yessir

@johannesmartinus5837 5 лет назад

These things can work but what users should realize is the following principle. If you use a microphone that has a lesser gain then your pre-amp needs to work harder to get to a certain output level which does then create at the same time more noise from your pre-amp. I prefer a good, low noise, cardioid condenser microphone above a dynamic one because of this reason for voiceover and since you have a nice voice booth too there won't be any background noise to hear that is bugging you. If someone wants on the other not invest in a voice booth then the SURE SM7B is a great microphone but I would invest in a high-quality pre-amp then too just to avoid having the need of this Cloudlifter again. With any voice over audio setup, it's gain versus self-noise what concerns the microphone and pre-amp.

@SoundSpeeds 5 лет назад

Yep, pretty much.

@DonAlderOfficial 4 года назад

acutally im hearing more bass as you turn it up you sound thin when you turn it down

@SoundSpeeds 4 года назад

Yeah, impedance load changes the sound quite a bit - even the balance and tonal quality.

@AudioSound 4 года назад

Yeah, I thought so as well. I liked the Goblin Narrator at the 1.5 Ohm setting the most. When you go lower, it sounds feint, and when you go higher the bass is over powering. Just my thoughts. 😀

@SoundSpeeds 4 года назад

It's very much like output force and sticking your thumb over the end of a hose. Water trickling out may work for you but more force is helpful in some applications.

@matrixate 3 года назад

I think you got the brightness and lows backward. Turning the impedance up gave better lows, not highs. I think you're confusing ohms and frequency, which troubles me.

@SoundSpeeds 3 года назад

I don't keep my headphones up very loud when I record and listening to your own voice in real time makes analyzing sound difficult. Go with what you hear... this video was 3 years ago and I don't remember what I said.

@Bradleybrookwood Год назад

What interface are you using when we hear your voice in this video?

@SoundSpeeds Год назад

Pretty sure it's a Sound Devices MixPre-6

@Bradleybrookwood Год назад

@@SoundSpeeds oh cool. How much does it cost? Also how do you keep your room without echo?

@SoundSpeeds 11 месяцев назад

$1060 and ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-K-bmlOajz3g.html

@losts69 6 лет назад

Had to say something about the zombie apocalypse :-P

@losts69 6 лет назад

Now if you ever want to test and see if something is bullet proof... let me know and I will be glad to help.

@SoundSpeeds 6 лет назад

Of course. :-)

@aussernllc 3 года назад

lol - I don't like the sound of SM7B. Seems like it is missing details. CAD E100 sounds better for the same $400 price point.

@SoundSpeeds 3 года назад

That's because it is. Dynamic vs condenser. :-)

@glokkjhit4749 2 года назад

That’s kinda the point of a condenser mic😂😂🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

@SoundSpeeds 2 года назад

There are advantages and disadvantages of both

@recordscratch5681 5 лет назад

Dude, don't start your review of a piece of audio kit with an audio recording with major plosives and transient clipping. You're recording your own voiceover in a way that makes you hard to listen to!

@SoundSpeeds 5 лет назад

Ok...