The FetHead range contains models with different features for different applications. Models include the standard version, the FetHead Phantom which still passes phantom power to the microphone therefore making it suitable with condensers and the FetHead filter which features a high pass filter. For our comparison with Cloud’s CL-1, we’ll be looking at the standard FetHead. While you can argue the need for it in the studio, there is no doubt that the output impedance of 220 Ohms outperforms the Cloudlifter’s 3 k output by a significant margin. Verdict Ribbon microphones benefit greatly too because of a much better impedance match. Fethead reduces the load on the microphone, giving it better transient response characteristics. FetHeads low noise signal amplification also extends the usable range of a ribbon microphone, making it more suitable to capture softer sound sources.

Key takeaway: The FetHead has a simple design and solid all-metal construction with a small size that fits seamlessly in mic setups. Gain and Noise Levels At the input of your connected preamp device (e.g., audio interface, mixer, or stand-alone preamp.) Lo compré para mi microfono Sure SM7B y me ha venido genial. Mi interfaz USB de Steinberg se quedaba corto como preamplificador para este microfono y el Fethead funciona de manera excelente para añadir la ganancia requerida de manera limpia sin capturar ruido. Comprar otro interfaz bastante mas potente tecnicamente hubiera sido la mejor opción pero hubiera sido mucho más caro, no obstante el Fethead me proporciona casi el mismo resultado (casi no añade nada de ruido) y me resultó mucho mas barato. Además es pequeño y sencillo de instalar (simplemente conectarlo al cable XLR entre el interfaz y el microfono). Llevo un par de meses usandolo y estoy encantado, ya que el resultado es más que satisfactorio. In short, we noticed an improvement on all tested dynamic microphones. A Shure SM57 or SM58 for instance, sounds more responsive over a broader frequency range. When mated with a high-end dynamic microphone like a Sennheiser MD441, or Shure SM7 FetHead really shines. Ribbon microphones benefit greatly too because of a much better impedance match, which lessens the load on the microphone, thus giving it better transient response characteristics. FetHeads high quality, low noise signal amplification also extends the usable range of a ribbon microphone, by making it more suitable for recording softer passages without introducing noise. Some ribbon microphones do not tolerate phantom power, FetHead’s circuit uses Phantom power but shields it from its input (and the microphone’s output), as a result it offers effective protection to the microphone. The scarlet all-metal casing houses class-A FETs with gold-plated XLR connectors that yield a neutral and balanced sound. Being a direct-to-mic activator, the DM-1 plugs directly into the microphone thus eliminating the need for a second XLR cord. PerformanceYour Fethead Phantom will latch straight onto any XLR equipped microphone, or anywhere else in the signal path between microphone and preamp/mixer.The electronics are housed in a robust metal chassis with a balanced female XLR input and a balanced male XLR output, rugged enough for use at home, in the studio or on tour. Whereas if you’re a band director or live podcaster who performs in spacious auditoriums, the ability to place a Cloudlifter along the chain to reduce noise and boost your noise floor is invaluable. Nevertheless, low output dynamic or ribbon microphone users will sift through forum threads looking for ways to add additional gain to counter low-level signals. This need then spawned a new, and rather recent, category of mic activators in the market.

sE Electronic Dynamite DM-1 is powerful, compact, and can comfortably handle low-output mics for podcasting and recording. Most mics don’t need the 28 dB of gain, and frankly, 20 dB works fine with an SM7B too. However, if you have mics that need extra gain, the DM-1 is a no-brainer. 3. Radial Engineering McBoost (Best Premium) They also make the FetHead Phantom which does pass Phantom and can be used for lower output condensers like a vintage U87A. Fin da quando ho iniziato a utilizzare l'SM7B, mi sono reso conto che aveva bisogno di un po' di "aiuto" per raggiungere il livello di uscita desiderato. Il FetHead è stato la soluzione perfetta per questo problema. Si tratta di un preamplificatore a transistor a stato solido che si collega direttamente al tuo microfono XLR e fornisce un notevole aumento di guadagno senza introdurre rumore o distorsioni indesiderate.Now we know a bit more about the products and have analyzed how they work in a variety of tests, what have we learned? Well, the noise floor on the FetHead is higher than that of the Cloudlifter, however, that is to be expected as the FetHead provides a higher boost overall.