Cloudlifter vs Fethead | BEST Inline Preamp?

In this video, we compare the Cloudlifter Cl-1 against the Triton Audio Fethead to help you decide what the best inline preamp for you is.
#cloudlifter #fethead #preamp
PRICING FOR EQUIPMENT FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
► Cloudlifter CL-1 Inline Preamp: currentprice.io/cloudlifter
► Triton Audio Fethead Inline Preamp: currentprice.io/fethead
► Shure SM7B Microphone: currentprice.io/shure_sm7b
► Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro Headphones: currentprice.io/beyer_dt_990
► XLR Cable: currentprice.io/xlr_cable
► TRS Cable: currentprice.io/trs_cable
► Mic Stand: currentprice.io/desk_stand
► Rode PSA1+ Boom Arm: currentprice.io/psa1_plus
► Quality Acoustic Treatment Panels: currentprice.io/soundpanels
These are affiliate links, and I may earn a commission from Amazon (and others) on qualifying purchases.
BLOG POST WITH MORE INFORMATION:
► kettnercreative.com/inline-preamp/cloudlifter-vs-fethead/
XLR CABLE BUYER'S GUIDE: kettnercreative.com/buyers-guide/best-xlr-cables/
BEST SETUP FOR 4 PERSON PODCAST: kettnercreative.com/audio-mixer/4-person-podcast-gear/
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction
0:38 - Equipment Used
1:08 - Price & Specs
1:25 - Benefits of Inline Preamps
4:05 - Disadvantages of Inline Preamps
4:38 - Cloudlifter vs Fethead Specs
8:40 - Connect Inline Preamp
9:39 - Cloudlifter CL-1 Demo
11:35 - Fethead Demo
12:56 - My Recommendation
14:07 - Final Thoughts
STUDIO EQUIPMENT:
Editing Computer: currentprice.io/16_mpb_m1max
Camera: currentprice.io/sony_a7iii
Lens: currentprice.io/sigma_24_70
Headphones: currentprice.io/nth-100
Studio Monitors: currentprice.io/adam_t5v
Studio Subwoofer: currentprice.io/adam_t10s
Video Recorder: currentprice.io/ninja_v
Key Light: currentprice.io/keylight
Fill Light: currentprice.io/keylight_air
Uplight: currentprice.io/astera_ax5
Truss: currentprice.io/truss_black
SOFTWARE & TOOLS:
Final Cut Pro: geni.us/qW5K
MotionVFX Plugins: geni.us/5SFH6w
Affinity Photo: geni.us/86RLOhZ
Epidemic Sound: geni.us/eiPf1G
Envato Elements: geni.us/ENFErA
Tubebuddy: geni.us/Md6v
VidIQ: geni.us/dqUyD
Riverside FM Podcast Software: currentprice.io/riversidefm
GeniusLink: geni.us/vss0P
Website: kettnercreative.com
Instagram: kettnercreative
Facebook: kettnercreative/
Threads: www.threads.net/@kettnercreative
Disclosure: If you purchase an item or service from an outbound link, we may receive a referral fee, which helps to support Kettner Creative.
All information is provided using our experience and research to the best of our ability. Links, videos, and other content are shared for information and discussion only.
Copyright: 2024 Kettner Creative Inc., All Rights Reserved.

[@DriLL3iT]

Ordered my Fethead through your link before the video was even over. 😎👍 Thanks!

[@elvictv]

Tenga su like buen hombre! Me ayudaste a decidirme por el Triton, no siempre lo más popular y caro es lo mejor.

[@Jose_T131]

Estoy entre este y el dynamite, opinions?

[@FutureVegan]

Hi Kettner. That was a really good video! I got 2 fetheads after watching it. I'm looking for a mic solution to reduce the echo in my studio. Currently I'm using a zoom h5 with the zoom ssh6 capsule. From what I've seen and read it seems that perhaps the SM58 might be the best option to reduce echo, noise and reverb. I already got 2 fetheads thinking I would buy the SM7B, but now I don't know what to do. If you watch my last video you'll see how the sound currently is (and it is a treated small studio room with 10 sound panels). My room size is 420 x 310 x 260 cm and I've got 10 acoustic panels (100 x 50 x 5 cm). These are the options I'm considering: *1 - SM7b + Fethead + Zoom h5* *2 - SM58 + Fethead + Zoom h5* *3 - SM57 + pop filter + Fethead + Zoom h5* After watching some of your videos it seems like the SM57 and SM58 are esentially the same mic, but I still don't know which option would be best for my setup. Any help / feedback would be much appretiated. Thanks!

[@maximmunity2059]

Best comparison video between these two that I've seen. Thanks. I have three PodMics and three FetHeads and started noticing a problem with the FetHead straight into the mic: the connection can be unstable. The slightest bump can cause static or even cause the mic to cut out (sometimes I have to jiggle it to get it to come back). I tried it with the FetHead connected to my P4 and it's better, but the most stable I found is a two XLR solution (identical to how you tested in your video). I do have to increase the gain slightly compared to connecting it directly to the mic, but it's so much more stable. I've not recorded this way yet, so I'm not sure if this will introduce more hiss, but I'll know soon enough.

[@missoats8731]

I have the same problem with mine while using the SM7B. I now started to put the Fethead directly into the input of my interface. But this really seems to be a common problem, that shouldn't exist. It's unusable if connected directly to the mic.

[@nugznmugz]

Correction for you... modern ribbon mics can easily take phantom power as well. It's old school ribbons that don't have a transformer in them that you have to worry about. Anything made in the last 50+ years will be fine. If you don't KNOW if there's a transformer or not it's probably best to know hit it with phantom... but if you didn't specifically buy a vintage mic for lots of money, it's likely that you'll be fine.

[@hoop416]

I have three SM7B mics and they ALL have Fetheads to go with them! Solid comparison and demonstration 😎

[@ryandunham9282]

Does the FetHead brand matter i want clean gain.

[@AnyiEgo-em5gv]

Thanks for this video 🙏 I got the exact question I've been searching for, it's no use for condenser mic ✅

[@G-Doggy]

Excellent comparison. Thank you!

[@Slimmeyy]

Would just like to comment to emphasize that getting a pre-amp with an SM7B is a good idea. When originally researching pre-amps to go with my new SM7B, I didn't think I'd need one. But I've got my Scarlett Solo maxed, my Windows mic volume maxed, everything is maxed. In Discord, I have Automatic Gain Control disabled as when I have it enabled it'll pick up any loud noise that it normally wouldn't (like the doorbell). This causes my input volume to be objectively too quiet: even if people increase my volume to 200%, my voice is quieter than it should be. So I'll be buying one to finally be audible. I've just checked prices and the Fethead is currently 35% off (only €63) so I'll be going with that one :)

[@realgabrielflandes]

How did it go? I have the exact same situation.

[@Slimmeyy]

@@realgabrielflandes Well I'm still not far off having to max out my Scarlett Solo (it's still at ~90%), but it seems I'm finally at a decent volume on Discord and going any louder can cause clipping.

[@realgabrielflandes]

@@Slimmeyy I hear the cloud lifter has a bit louder results. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate the help.

[@Slimmeyy]

@@realgabrielflandes According to SoundSpeeds, the Fethead gets 22 dB of gain, 5 lower than what is marketed. I only learned of this today but its performance is adequate for the sound quality I need so I won't be replacing it. I went with the Fethead because of the significantly smaller size (I can plug it directly into the SM7B, which is the best place for it) and the price at the time, being 50% cheaper than the DM-1 and a whopping 72% cheaper than the Cloudlifter (which also would've required a 2nd XLR cable which isn't included in the 72%)

[@shreddedyeat5532]

Could you do a video on the difference between all the different type of fetheads?

[@impresscoaching]

Excellent review, thank you.

[@vilisavescu565]

i absolutely love this channel ❤ . Soo soo useful info

[@kettnercreative]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@marcolobo.comunicador]

Hello! Excellent content, thank you! I'm using a translator in my message, sorry if something is wrong. I am from Brazil. My question is the following: What is the model of this FETHEAD? I saw some models at B&H and I don't know which one is best suited to the RODE Podmic USB dynamic microphone. Would you help me? Grateful

[@tango_gru]

SM7b forced you to tilt your head for the entire video..... its a powerful Microphone.

[@dominator5498]

Are you going to review the United Auto Volt series anytime soon?

[@vladykorleone]

Hi, I have an Apollo Twin and I am going to buy an EV RE20 dynamic microphone, would I need one of these preamps? Would you notice the difference?

[@aacar4095]

I'm new to all this, but why do podcasters use dynamic mics vs dynamic? Are condenser too sensitive?

[@edenorre]

Please do a Electro Voice re320 EQ with the GOXLR mini !! I’d kill for this ive never seen anyone do this yet and i think your audio always comes out great.

[@obocecha]

I picked up a Klark Teknik mic booster for less than $30 and it’s been fantastic.

[@kettnercreative]

Awesome, I need to check that out. Thanks for the comment.

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

I picked up the manayo mic preamp for 38 these budget preamps are so good

[@ProgramistaNaBudowie]

Thanks a lot!

[@DESOLATEERA-r9e]

Do I need to activate the 48v phantom power botton on my Focusrite Scarlett Solo Gen 3 so that the Fethead work propperly? Or just leave it as it is?

[@oliverrepp131]

yes you need 48v phantom power activated

[@nikmiddelman]

what microphone software do u use on the pc? with the limiters and all?

[@DefCantGame]

been going back and forth between plugging my re20 into a fethead which goes into a goxlr and taking it off sometimes

[@richardlandrover]

Can I hook the Scarlet 2i2 to a BalckMagic Pocket Cinema 6K Pro camera? Or can you recommend a pre-amp that will work best?

[@SuperMaxGaming]

I just bought the Fethead and for some reason I'm getting extremely low mic volume compared to when I was running the mic on dynamic. Im using a Shure SM7B and a Go Xlr Mini. I have set it to condensor with phantom power enable but the volume of the mic is extremely low. Any idea what I am doing wrong?

[@dryelene]

Did you solve the problem?

[@TheTinker_]

GoXLR Mini only provides 24V phantom power, not the full 48V required by the Fethead and most mic activators.

[@عبدالجاكولالصلصالاني]

@@TheTinker_ what do you mean? it wont work with digital mixers/interface that comes with 48v on board?

[@marlonargueta]

would you need an extension with the fethead and the frameworks boom arm?

[@adnakessila2058]

Hello! I love your videos,and I have a specific,question that you might be able to help me with. I have a volt 2 audio interface that I use to stream on tiktok connecting the usb to usb-c to a camera adapter to my iPhone. It works great except for one thing, my viewers can only hear me on one side of the earbuds. I’m able to fix that if I connect my audio interface to a laptop and open the daw ( Ableton 11 ). However once I do that, how do I connect all that to my phone since the usb is now connected to my laptop?

[@columbo.]

are you recording in mono or stereo, what kind of mic do you have? Condensor or dynamic?

[@angelnoedeltoro]

Gracias, saludos desde México.

[@עומרידהאןנטותכנוןפיננסי]

can you send me a link for buying the red reciever?

[@kettnercreative]

Sure! Here you go: currentprice.io/scarlett_2i2

[@flagshipbuilds]

Can you demo the Logitech Blue Sona microphone with either one?

[@kettnercreative]

With what interface?

[@caveman3703]

Very good video thank you

[@HungryForTastyFoodAndComicArt]

The fethead phantom inline pre-amp (I own two) is designed for condenser mics such as an AKG C-214 (I own one, as well as a Lewitt Sub-Zero and a Neumann tlm 103). You should be more specific in your declarative statements about "tech" . There are *two* forms of inline pre-amps/"boosters: those for mics requiring phantom power, and those for mics which do not require phantom power. Specificity counts.

[@Godjail]

So do I need fathead with dynamic or should I get a cloud lifter

[@HungryForTastyFoodAndComicArt]

@@Godjail It depends on how loud you want your recording or stream (without increasing the input volume/gain), and whether you are streaming or recording. But a fethead (made by Triton) will increase your volume with less "hiss" for less $$ than buying a more expensive audio interface with better pre-amplifiers. But you must be careful to buy the fethead for dynamic mics, *not* the fethead for condenser mics (Triton makes both). I haven't used cloudlifters so I can't comment about them.

[@xngdestini]

Have you seen the new Yamaha AG08?

[@kettnercreative]

Not in person, but yeah. It looks awesome! I love my AG06 and this seems like an upgrade in almost every way.

[@GildedPoo]

I had the Fethead for almost 3 years, it recently fell apart.

[@kettnercreative]

Whaa? Fell apart how? Those things are bullet proof.

[@top_tech.500k]

*Cloud⛅️lifter **9:46* *Fethead👊👽**11:38* *With the ᑕᒪOᑌᗪ ᒪIᖴTEᖇ the sound is shiny as✨✨✨crystal*

[@DieTabbi]

Triton sounds better, more power and 1/3 price.

[@ShadovvV]

@10:36 - Julian Krause disagrees with this statement, completely.. and he proves it. in case you haven't seen the video, search for "No more ambient noise with Cloudlifter or FetHead? (audio myth debunked)".

[@lucascastelanoagro]

my neck hurts

[@scienticus]

Cloudlifter is shielded. the Fethead not.

[@lukebsings7342]

What does that mean?

[@georgeindestructible]

Shield in a better way, not entirely shielded and if the input and output is is balanced it doesn't matter much does it.

[@scienticus]

What you mean with "if the input and output is balanced"? Thanks for your answer@@georgeindestructible

[@vinigretzky97]

What is the output impedance of the Triton FetHead ("resistance")? Is it possible to connect a microphone directly to an guitar amp (or effects pedal) with it?