Cloud Microphones CLZ – 1 channel with Vari-Z impedance control


Clouudlifter CL-1 Cloudlifter CL-2 Cloudlifter CL-4 Cloudlifter CL-Z Cloudlifter CL-Zi
25 dB additional gain ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Channels 1 2 4 1 1
Adjustable gain levels 2 2 2 3 3
Adjustable input impendance ✓ ✓
6.35 mm jack input ✓


Weight: 259 g
Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.6 x 13.6 cm; 258.55 Grams
Model: Cloudlifter CL-Z
Colour: Blue
Batteries Included: 1 Lithium ion batteries required.
Colour: Blue

13 Responses

  1. Anonymous says:

     Germany

    Ich habe mich fr den Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter X Mikrofonvorverstrker entschieden, um die Klangqualitt meines Mikrofons zu verbessern. Hier sind meine Gedanken dazu:

    Klangverbesserung: 10/10
    Die Verbesserung der Klangqualitt ist beeindruckend. Der Cloudlifter X verleiht dem Mikrofon einen Ton, der sowohl klar als auch angenehm ist, und hebt Aufnahmen auf ein professionelles Niveau.

    Preis: 6/10
    Obwohl die Leistung herausragend ist, ist der Preis sehr hoch. Dies knnte fr Hobbyisten oder Personen mit einem begrenzten Budget ein Hindernis darstellen.

    Bauqualitt: 9/10
    Der Vorverstrker ist solide gebaut und fhlt sich sehr langlebig an. Die Verarbeitungsqualitt rechtfertigt zum Teil den hohen Preis.

    Einfachheit der Bedienung: 9/10
    Die Bedienung des Cloudlifter X ist einfach und unkompliziert. Es ist leicht einzurichten und zu verwenden, was bei technischen Gerten nicht immer der Fall ist.

    Vielseitigkeit: 8/10
    Der Cloudlifter X ist vielseitig einsetzbar und verbessert die Qualitt verschiedenster Mikrofone, was ihn zu einem wertvollen Tool fr unterschiedlichste Aufnahmesituationen macht.

    Preis-Leistungs-Verhltnis: 7/10
    Obwohl der Preis hoch ist, bietet der Cloudlifter X eine Klangverbesserung, die in dieser Qualitt schwer zu finden ist. Fr professionelle Anwender und Audiophile knnte die Investition lohnenswert sein.

    Gesamteindruck: 8.2/10
    Der Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter X Mikrofonvorverstrker ist ein hochwertiges, leistungsstarkes Gert, das eine signifikante Klangverbesserung bietet. Trotz des hohen Preises ist er eine berlegung wert, besonders fr ernsthafte Audioproduzenten und Tontechniker.

    Insgesamt bietet der Cloudlifter X eine auergewhnliche Leistung, die den hohen Preis fr diejenigen rechtfertigt, die auf der Suche nach erstklassiger Audioqualitt sind. Ein exquisites Gert fr anspruchsvolle Ohren.

  2. Used Furniture Review says:

     United States

    Golden Review Award: 3 From Our UsersNeither my old-school Mackie analog board nor my Solid State Logic SSL2 digital interface had enough gain to get a decent level out of a Shure SM7B, so I knew I had to add a boost. The original Cloudlifter CL-1 helped, and was usable with some post-processing, but I was still turning up the gain higher than I’d like, so I switched to the CL-X, which has 36db of gain, versus 25db on the CL-1, and that did the trick. The SSL2 still needs to be turned up (the SM7B really lives up to its low-output reputation), but it doesn’t need to be maxed out to get a usable level from the SM7B. As far as I can tell, both Cloudlifters added no color to the sound of the microphone, and no discernible noise. There are cheaper units out there, but the build quality of the made-in-the-USA Cloudlifter is worth the price.

  3. MichellJuan says:

     United States

    Your microphone might not need phantom power to run but this device does need phantom power to provide the “boost” for the preamp. The directions were clear but I was surprised by this.

  4. Anonymous says:

     United States

    I had bought the CL-1 to make better use of a ribbon mic that had been collecting dust in my mic cabinet. I like the sound enough to take a chance on the CL-Z, and I’m glad I did. The flexibility of being able to vary the impedance, as well as the hi-pass filter gives a much wider, useable range of tones.

  5. Anonymous says:

     United States

    Easy to setup. Work as soon as you plugged in the XLR cable.

  6. Anonymous says:

     United States

    I am an amateur musician and for years have been trying to get that ‘present’ sound when recording vocals. I have been frustrated because even with very good mics and DA interface I couldn’t quit get there. Until now! I have only made a few recordings with this, but it did the trick. It’s really good and it could’t be easier to use.

  7. Anonymous says:

     United States

    Love it. Have a Heil PR-30B that I use for broadcasting that needed some tone adjustment and after switching from the basic cloudlifter to this, the change is perfect. With the APF setting enabled I was able to finally get the right amount of pickup for my voice and volume level while the APF Switch improved my sound clarity and consistency which was an issue I’d had with that mic long before mostly due to its wide frequency pickup range
    The APF Setting eliminates this and keeps the tone noce and consistent. A perfect buy for Broadcasters using certain mics.
    I Found that vocal mics with built in bassrolloff seemed not to need more than a standard cloudlifter.

  8. Haunting Review says:

     United States

    This device has provided new life into my dynamic pics. Impedance adjustment makes an SM57 and Beta %* pop and have way more definition, approaching condenser quality. Definitely worth the price to get the impedance adjustment.

  9. Anonymous says:

     United States

    Golden Review Award: 3 From Our UsersIt does exactly what is advertised. Total impedance control, which can be tweaked to give warmer & thinner sounds, the High Pass Filter is really strong, so it seriously becomes advantageous with higher sound ranges.

    The gain toggle switch is nice, as I don’t ever have to worry about recording hot or coming close to digital distortion, and the compact size lets it sit nearly anywhere in the audio rig!

  10. Anonymous says:

     United States

    Golden Review Award: 2 From Our UsersI didn’t see too many reviews for this product so I was a little unsure. It works tremendously well, almost like magic considering my signal originates with a USB 2.0 audio interface (Steinberg UR22), so, NO AC is being used from the Steinberg, but it has phantom power, which powers this unit. It is UNBELIEVABLE how much gain I am getting, and how much noticeable improvement results from my Rode Promaster, I rarely turn the dial on my UR past the halfway mark, whereas before it was just barely getting the job done at 100%. The extra features on this unit are nice to have, and though I can hear the difference at the extreme ends of the center wheel, there is more experimenting to be done, but it is nice knowing I have the versatility to use this same module with other microphones, even if the exact differences in sound might be difficult to perceive, in order to optimize the signal. Build quality is exceptional, and the lifetime warranty is nice to have. Tremendous product from a great company!

  11. WinonaJyyre says:

     United States

    Golden Review Award: 3 From Our UsersObviously you read the product description and this does in fact add a great amount of clean gain, but as other reviews specify this product really shines w its Z control. The z control really changes the way your mic sounds and I have used this w great success on my SM57. The moment I knew I really liked this product was when a cable managed to turn the knob counter clockwise mid recording without my knowledge and I couldn’t figure out why my later recordings during the session sat so much better in the mix so be sure to experiment!

  12. BradleyHid says:

     United States

    Golden Review Award: 5 From Our UsersBrilliant box. Has given my favorite dynamic mics (Shure SM7, Sennheiser MD 421, Royer R-121, Beyerdynamic M 201 TG, etc.) new punch and volume. I also have a few of their single channel CL-1 boxes that I keep attached to mic stands. The Cloudlifter delivers a solid 20db boost with no coloration and no noise. Suddenly I have lots of headroom on my input gains, and now have the freedom to select any mic in the locker based on its tone, response curve and pattern, without regard to output levels. These wont make tube pre-amps obsolete but they fill a very real need and have become an indispensable addition to my toolkit.

  13. Anonymous says:

     United States

    Golden Review Award: 6 From Our UsersHaving invested heavily into the initial setup of my podcasting studio, I needed something for my gain hungry Electro Voice RE20 even in conjunction with my DBX 286s processor. Now my DBX doesn’t have to work too hard thanks to the 25 db of CLEAN gain from the Cloudlifter CL-Z, and it can focus on it’s job of voice processing. A superb product for ribbon and dynamic mics and people serious about their audio quality.