Cloudlifter Vs. Fethead - Spend More or Nah?

Cloudlifter Vs. Fethead? It's a question many might ask themselves when shopping for a mic activator. In this video we take a look at the Triton Fethead and the Cloudlifter CL-1. Which is best? And which is a better value.
No audio was post-processed. Phantom power activated when activators were connected.
Affiliate Links...
Cloudlifter - amzn.to/2HdVDka
Fethead - amzn.to/347zUDt

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

This comment comes about 3 years too late, but at the moment, FetHead has a regular neutral model and a FetHead Germanium model - where SW's product page says "NOS Germanium transistor produces a punchy, larger-than-life sound with tons of *ear-grabbing coloration*." From some user reviews on another site, apparently that model will deliver a 1960s Abbey Road Studios sort of color, emulating some sort of unobtainable mic pre's. (I've tried neither. Just researching to potentially buy one.)

[@KenTheContentCoachYT]

Never too late for facts. I’m pinning this.

[@olindamedia]

The key difference is that the Cloud Lifter is shielded. I own a Fethead and it mostly works great, but I have had instances of radio interference with it, (static, buzzing etc) it's a much bigger justifier in price than anything you'll find in side by side comparisons where you are listening for eq differences. For this reason if I needed another booster I will spend the extra money on a cloud lifter.

[@merlincomplex]

THANK YOU!

[@SeanBarrett]

i read this and then didnt watch the video. thank you!

[@MarcoPolux]

@02:42. When you listen with Studio monitors it is very evident that the CloudLifter has a warmer more rich sound... while the FetHead is very bosted in the "presence" zone, which is the nasal voice.... You probably will be able to notice difference when you pronounce the "E-I-E-I-O" it punches more the ears, while with the CloudLifter, it sounds smoother..... You just convinced me to get the CloudLifter... I was about to get the Fethead Germanium. Thanks!!

[@user-bn2nu6ce1n]

ええ　だいぶ違う〜！！！ 結構変わるなー....

[@addisontrashed]

It never occurred to me the difference between the connections. That’s like a massive advantage of the FetHead to me. Because why would I want to diminish the signal through more cable when I don’t have to??

[@precisionsoundworksstudio]

Good point. That could be very important of someone needs long cable runs. If the cable runs were less than say 100 feet, there would be virtually no signal diminishment.

[@AndrewBontempi]

Hard to tell, but it sounded like the fethead had just a little more presence to it (~2khz~5khz), or rather maybe a bit scooped in the lower mids. Probably not a huge deal for the average user, but for studio vocals or something like that, it might be because it would effect the preamp and compressor, or you’d have to run into a detailed eq prior to the compressor, or run MB comp at the front end. Lots of options, no right or wrong way. Thanks for the info!

[@oanoli]

Just don’t forget test SE DM1🙂

[@precisionsoundworksstudio]

Old McDonald had a FetHead… great overview. Thanks man! 🙌🏻

[@coach.b]

😂

[@thewhiskeycowboy-official]

Any changes in voice are easy to correct in processing or your mixer. Most people adjust their total setup to best optimize their voice. And that includes mics too. I think your voice sounded a bit richer using the Fethead, but again, adjustments in your mixer take care of any differences in sound.

[@MichaelW.1980]

You might have forgotten another reason for the Cloudlifter over the Fethead. I know the Fethead to not be properly shielded against HF interference. I have had issues with it before. I never bought a Cloudlifter, because I got myself a proper (but not THAT expensive) audio interface, that gives me enough low noise gain on its own, without needing an additional in-line preamp. Because of that I suggest you to check first, before paying extra for a Fethead, Cloudlifter CL-1 or whatever you choose. What do you need to check for? On the interface, check for an EIN of -128dB or even less and check for a dynamic range of 110dB or above. Your interface meets these specs? Then rest assured, it’s definitely low noise. Also check for the gain range on the microphone input and on the maximum input level the microphone input. Why? The louder a signal going into the analog to digital converter is allowed to be, the louder it NEEDS to be to reach 0dBFS in your DAW software. Subtract the maximum input level from the gain range. Keep In mind, that the gain range can be stated differently. Be aware though: Sometimes, It’s stated like this -> 6-60dB

[@brokenhero6828]

You’re very knowledgeable

[@benoittissier58]

In Europe, the Fethead is much cheaper, it's a no-brainer. It helped a lot getting proper sound out of the SM57.

[@smokinglives]

Hi, do you have a USB interface ? I am majorly buying for lower room floor noise, do you think it makes a difference?

[@benoittissier58]

@@smokinglives I use an old IO14 firewire interface. Its preamps are too weak for dynamic mics. If you have noise due to using the preamps at high gain, the Fethead may help. If you have room noise, it won't.

[@smokinglives]

@@benoittissier58 it is low hum (some white noise kinda stuff) cause I crank up the gain 90percent up due to low volume during monitoring myself. I have an audient ID 14

[@benoittissier58]

@@smokinglives No need for a Fethead with the ID14 according to Julian Krause. If your input level is correct (-10 dB), you 'll have to check your monitoring loop.

[@smokinglives]

@@benoittissier58 thanks

[@vencer8387]

The Fethead sound a bit louder and closer, but the Cloudlifter had the bit of airiness, but this could have been prone to the proximity effect.

[@somenuttysquirrel]

I think the Cloud gave a flatter response, but the coloration of the Fet worked well with your voice. Apples & oranges.

[@Smashachu]

Cool, i've been using my dynamic without a pre-amp thinking hmm.. why is there so much freaking static? Duh the gain on my interface has to be cranked to up to the point that you could hear a spider fart from the other side of the room.

[@KenTheContentCoachYT]

Lmaooooo

[@eyesonly4451]

I'm using a FetHead on a Heil PR40. Putting the FetHead at the mic base, or somewhere along a cable run, it's dead quiet. But if you plug it directly into your interface pre you might get a low level hum. The FetHead allows me to keep my interface preamps in their mid-ranges, rather than cranking them up to near maximum gain. Maybe it's just my imagination, but the noise floor seems better this way.

[@yosoymichaelmyers]

Im going to try to put them to work both together

[@solosabbath8940]

Love my Fethead for capturing guitars at lower volumes (as to not disturb anyone). And he's absolutely right about the "forgetability" of the Fethead, because I won an SM57 auction on eBay and one came attached to it. It's made recording as a bedroom guitarist so much simpler, and I didn't even know something like this existed. Good news is they're about $40-60 new and used these days.

[@jonasfrenzel7314]

Fethead sounds way better! The Cloudlifter sounds kinda muddy and not that clear. I honestly would not say that everything that is more expensive is also better

[@yuh9157]

Literally all in your head, both preamps don't effect the sound just the volume

[@jonasfrenzel7314]

@@yuh9157 a piecd oft Hardware never only effects the Volumen, this is not possible. It always colors a little bit, and depending on the build Materials this colorations sounds different

[@momtazularefin]

Downloading and analyzing the KZbin audio track, it is clear that Cloudlifter is way better, it has wider more even frequency response while fethead has an emphasized midrange. So fethead actually slightly colors the sound.

[@aleksandrbogdanov4137]

Thanks, man - you made me make the decision to buy Fethead instead of CL-1. Even if there is a difference in sound (and there is one indeed), it isn't worth that kind of money and can be easily negated on the software side.

[@RyanWitherspoon]

I don’t know if it was your change in pitch from the fathead to the cloud lifter but there is a slight pitch difference. more high pitch in the fathead not much but noticeable if your listening for it. great comparison I like the fathead just a little more due to price and slightly higher gain you can always adjust EQ for the higher pitch

[@Septimius]

There's absolutely no pitch-shifting from a mic activator. There's simply no component in the circuitry that could allow for that.

[@pianofortestudios2406]

@@Septimius Not all amplifiers have a linear frequency gain response (flat). No, we're not talking major differences - the difference can be minor but noticeable. I heard more treble on the fethead, as well.

[@Septimius]

@@pianofortestudios2406 frequency response isn’t related to a shift in pitch. It is when something appears brighter or darker in pitch, like speeding it up or slowing it down.

[@pianofortestudios2406]

@@Septimius I believe Mr. Witherspoon was referring to a difference in the frequency response as opposed to a frequency shift. That is how I interpreted his comment. I would agree with you that this preamp is not changing the “pitch” as in 440 Hz in, 450 Hz out. I merely meant to say that I seconded a change in frequency response - a slight EQ differential. Have a good day.

[@Septimius]

@@pianofortestudios2406 yeah, I went back and reread the original comment. It’s a bit ambiguous, so sorry if I in anyway appeared belligerent. Not my intent, and with the ambiguity, you have a valid point!

[@futbolfan27]

I think the cloudlifter sounds better. Less “static” (idk how to describe what I’m hearing) and has a bit lower pitch to it. But it’s way bigger and costs over 50% more. Not worth it IMO unless you have disposable cash and the space.

[@sjmphotonyc]

Man I love that f4. Great vid. I like the fethead.

[@BleepingWorld]

would using an extra XLR cable introduce more noise?

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

IIRC, a balanced XLR cable is designed to eliminate any noise induced by the cable. So, I'm guessing it should not be a factor.

[@zefitech]

Great video! And sweet setup!

[@roypatterson7866]

I order a fethead for my PD-70 dynamic microphone to use with my Focusrite solo audio interface

[@Kaezox]

Good video, fethead did sound a little more high pitched while cloudlifter sounded a little more deep.

[@psicodesia]

Hey! Thank you excellent comparison

[@psicodesia]

I bought the fethead

[@KenTheContentCoachYT]

Don’t you love it!?

[@BrockFlores]

Cloudlifter sounded much better to me. Cleaner highs coming through

[@vzrdrew9873]

I like the new case.

[@sung_yun]

I would use an sE Electronics Dynamite over a Cloudlifter/Fethead. Thanks for the video.

[@natel7382]

I've never seen the fethead plugged into the interface. I have a mv7x and with my boom arm idk if I'd be able to plug in the fet on my mic. I really like the Cl1 is made in the USA and has a limited lifetime warranty but man the fethead is a good deal esp when I only need it for gain. Using my audient evo4 I have to have the gain at like 85% to sometimes 100 on discord. Idk why but discord hates me and is way quieter than when I use my mic with every other app. Makes no sense but I was looking into getting one of these. Maybe I'll just grab a fet

[@CarstenRemscheid]

Phantompower!

[@nickdual]

I subscribed to your channel

[@Mood_Gaming]

If you can't hear the difference you need a headset or sound system capable of hearing said difference.

[@YumeBasil]

Big warning, if you do get a cloudlifter, GET, GOOD, CABLES. I am serious, I wasn't sure why there was so much noise in my SM7B recordings, and come to find out it was one of my cables. Get good/new cables, I recommend Mogami Gold cables for this.

[@frankjerke]

CloudLifter sounds better with more body

[@MrDuncanDidit]

Glad I found this video. The Cloudlifter sounds warm and cuddly, the Fethead sounds harsh and abrasive in comparison. For recording violin, or for a natural vocal sound, I'd definitely go with the Cloudlifter. Rock vocals or vocals lacking presence might sound better with the Fethead.

[@maliksarsak]

Sounds the same

[@Catsndogsz]

Yess I agree, I can totally hear the difference

[@kdtheporchpodcast5785]

Myself watching this when I have a DBX 286s lol

[@sparketech]

Listening to this on my Kanto speakers, the cloud lifter CL1 sounds slightly better. The Fethead sounds slightly more boosted in the highs providing voice with what appears as slightly more presence... I still like the CL1 sound more; even though the difference is slight. Seen another video and could not notice ANY difference whatsoever... difference when there is EMI maybe?

[@zogun]

Dynamite DM1!

[@user-bn2nu6ce1n]

02:42結構変わるなー、、clの方は豊か

[@philipxlehnen]

Hey what Camera do you use?

[@KenTheContentCoachYT]

Canon R6