Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 Mic Activator

I bought this cloudlifter CL-2 because I often record electric guitar with a ribbon mic and dynamic mic combined together, and wanted the option of recording in stereo with a matched pair of passive ribbon mics. It gives a much cleaner and more transparent sound as it boosts the signal cleanly +20-25dB which really opens up the possibilities of mics like the Shure sm57, EV RE20 and Beyer m160, it works particularly well with ribbon mics though and I can now record without having noise in the signal, greatly reducing the signal to noise ratio.

The build quality is superb, with the all metal body and designed to last a long time. I would be happy to use this in live situations also for boosting the signal and reducing the feedback from vocal mics.

It is a simple product that does exactly what you would expect it to do and I would give it 10 out of 10. There's no need to get expensive pre-amps with one of these! It will be very hard for me to go back to recording without one!

I previously bought the smaller CL-1 model, but needed to mic up a Cahon drum, with a dynamic mic in the rear sound hole, and another one at the front for ambient sound.

The CL-1 does a wonderful job (see my review on it), and it works so well on all dynamic mic's that I wanted another so that I could use more than one mic at the same time. It is a minimalist design, with none of the indicator lights or switches you would expect. All you get are two input sockets, and two output sockets, but the effect it has on your dynamic mic has to be heard to be believed.

CAUTION: Does not work with condenser microphones.