Official Cloudlifter CL-Z Demo
Demonstration video for the Cloudlifter CL-Z
- Signal Chain
- Cloudlifter CL-Z Mic Activator
$299.00
Retail: $369.00
Demonstration video for the Cloudlifter CL-Z
The Cloud® Microphones Cloudlifter® CL-Z Mic Activator® uses phantom power from your preamp to solve an array of common issues with dynamic and ribbon microphones while maximizing your audio quality, making it a must-have box for your studio or live toolset. It’s designed to be a middleman between your mic and preamp, maximizing the signal quality by providing an additional +25dB of ultra-clean gain. This can dramatically improve the sound quality when using preamps that are noisy in their upper gain range, and with long cable runs.
The CL-Z provides a spectrum of new possibilities with its comprehensive feature set. Continuously variable input impedance from 150 ohms to 15k ohms allows for ultimate control over your microphones character, while the variable low-cut filter allows for custom tonal shaping and control over the microphone’s natural proximity effect. This is especially useful for voice and other sources where lower frequencies need a gentle or drastic reduction.
The CL-Z, like all Cloudlifters, requires phantom power to operate, yet does not pass phantom to the input. For this reason, Cloudlifters are an ideal solution for ribbon, dynamic, and tube microphones alike!
The story began with RCA* when Harry F. Olson developed the 44 and 77 series of ribbon microphones. Jon R. Sank succeeded Mr. Olson and was challenged by RCA to improve upon Harry’s best microphones. He did just that with the BK11, a direct descendant of the 44 series. It has been an industry secret for many years among top engineers, that the BK-11 is the most advanced ribbon microphone in the world.
Beginning at just 10 years old, Stephen Sank studied with his father and began building upon lessons learned from the original RCA laboratory. Jon Sank shared more than 50 years of skill and innovation with his son Stephen before passing away in 1998.
Today, Stephen continues the Sank family tradition of developing quality hand crafted ribbon microphones in collaboration with Cloud Microphones. The Cloud JRS-34 takes the next step in the legendary BK-11 and 44 series of ribbon microphones.
Made in Tucson Arizona, Cloud’s continued commitment to high quality, USA made, sustainable, and environmentally friendly manufacturing, has created new jobs and economic growth throughout the supply chain. Cloud’s products are made regionally from start to finish, benefiting dozens of small businesses in the process. From metal fabrication in Tucson, SMT circuit board manufacturing and assembly on the Navajo Nation, powder-coating and finishes in Phoenix, to final assembly and testing at Cloud Microphones HQ in Tucson AZ.
Too Dineh Industries ShotCloud Microphones partnership with Tooh Dineh Industries, which is located within the Navajo Nation, remains a wonderful and mutually beneficial relationship to this day.Tooh Dineh Industries is world class in their production and reliability and the quality of work provided is consistently outstanding. The decision to work with Tooh Dineh for SMT circuit board manufacturing and assembly, has helped bring vital well-paying jobs to a community where unemployment levels average 47%.
*RCA is a registered trademark of Radio Corporation of America. References to RCA are historical in nature and imply no affiliation with Cloud Microphones.
Upgrade the Potential of Your Microphone and Preamp
Cloudlifter® Mic Activators® use phantom power from your preamp to solve an array of common issues with microphones. Cloudlifters provide up to +25dB of ultra-clean gain, maximizing the microphones’ signal strength and clarity, which lowers the noise floor and amount of gain required with any preamp. By allowing preamps to operate in a more comfortable gain range, the frequency response remains more intact and the self-noise of the preamp is reduced.
Character Control using Variable Input Impedance Loading
The CL-Z provides up to +25dB of ultra-clean gain, variable input impedance and a variable high-pass filter. Having an input impedance control that is sweepable from 150 ohms to 15k ohms allows you to creatively load the microphones’ output transformer, with the result being a wide range of new tonal variations becoming available to each mic.
Variable High-Pass Filtering = Proximity Effect Control
The variable high-pass filtering works in conjunction with the impedance value, allowing for even more tonal shaping and control. When engaged, the frequency cutoff is affected by the impedance setting. This allows for a sweep-able frequency cutoff range from below 20hz to approximately 200hz, just by turning the “Z” knob. This can be especially useful for tonal shaping or reducing the proximity effect of a ribbon or dynamic microphone.
Variable Gain
The CL-Z has a two-position gain switch allowing for more gain, or the maximum gain available. Most of the time the MAX (approx. +25db) position will be used, however, the reduced gain setting (approx. +12dB) may be useful in situations where the source does not require as much gain, or where more of the preamps’ color from additional gain is desired.
Features:
– High-Pass Filter frequency is variable from below 20hz to over 200hz
– Dual gain settings allow for a +12dB or +25dB increase
– Increases gain before feedback ratio in live & public address performances
– Easy to use self contained design requires only phantom power
– Compatible with tube, battery, or power supply driven microphones
– Protects any passive ribbon with no transfer of phantom
– Utilizes Patent Pending Class A ,Discrete JFET circuitry
– Rugged, road ready and portable, for studio, stage and broadcasting
– Free lifetime limited warranty for parts and labor, with product registration
– Handcrafted entirely in the USA
Responsibly Manufactured to Last a Lifetime
The CL-Z, like all Cloudlifters and Cloud® Microphones, carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original owner, with product registration, and are completely made in the USA, using environmentally responsible methods