CHEAP Cloudlifter Alternative | Klark Teknik CM-1 Direct Comparison w/ Cloudlifter

[@muziky2k]

Maybe I'm crazy, but the SM7B bare and the CM-1 sounded identical. The Cloudlifter seemed to add a high-frequency boost. I like the CM-1.

[@silentstormstudios]

I have to agree. To me the Cloudlifter sounded like it colored the sound to a degree, making it sound a bit more dense. The CM-1 sounded more like the un-boosted mic, just louder. I like that the CM-1seems more transparent, at least to my ears in this test, and as it's around $100 cheaper, I'll go with that.

[@noelnapila4874]

i think, there's not much difference between the two except the price. i would say the klark teknik cm-1 did a good job! planning to buy

[@PhillipRPeck]

If you're in the U.S., check out sweetwater.com. They have it for $29

[@Jokerface21]

I just bought the Klark Teknik Mic Booster CM-2 a few minutes ago because I saw your video. Thank you very much!

[@PhillipRPeck]

Nice! I hope you like it

[@Jokerface21]

@@PhillipRPeck 30 Days Money Back ;)

[@konukaame_]

I don't hear a $70 difference, thanks for the video :)

[@PhillipRPeck]

No problem

[@mikeg6069]

Good comparison. Well done. There are a plethora of options. I wasn't paying $150 for the Cloudlifter. But a few months ago I couldn't find the Klark Teknik CT-1 or CM-1 anywhere in stock. Therefore, it came down to the $90 Fethead or the $99 sE Dynamite DM1. I ended up with the Dynamite (it was bundled with cables) and it's been great. I just don't like that the body is bright red. I wish it was black or silver. Then there's also the Cathedral Pipes Durham MK II that's only $65 and along the same design as the Cloudlifter and CM-1. Lots of choices.

[@PhillipRPeck]

I like the dynamite and fethead because they dont require an extra XLR. Keeps things simple. There are a lot of options and hopefully the klarks be in stock more consistently

[@Casusin]

Nice video and deep review, the Rapid Fire Comparison is gold. I was almost thinking both will sound almost the same, but know Klark is somewhat 'scoop', and Cloudlifter more 'open' or what a boosted SM57 should sound. It respects more the microphone. Differences are very low, but still there.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thank you! It's interesting that some people in the comments are saying there's no difference. Maybe they're not listening with headphones...

[@crapseven]

I just found the 2 channel version of the KT Booster on Clearwater for $49 bucks. Sold. Thanks for the comparison review. Don't feel like I need much boost with the Pod Mic and Motu M4 but I like that extra headroom. As long as the gain does not give me any excessive white noise I will keep it. UPDATE: They are sold out everywhere and most retailers say they have them on back order. Go figure, especially at that price point.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Yeah, they've been that way for a while now. I ordered mine from Sweetwater and they got one in and sent it to me about three weeks later

[@annekedebruyn7797]

I had both to test with and I couldn't find anything different. Ran all kind of noises and mics through it. Nothing. I do prefer the Fethead tho. It's priced in between the Cloudlifter and CM-1 but also slightly more sensitive and in my opinion, I prefer the smaller design.

[@davidandronicomusic]

yea I thought I also heard that the klark had some low end missing. thanks for this video

[@DanFlynn]

Super helpful, I was looking for a good comparison like this. Thanks so much!

[@PhillipRPeck]

No problem!

[@KMSchriver]

Love these as always!

[@uptownphotography]

Nice video and great info. I bought the Klark Teknik Ct-1, which is as far as I can tell the same unit only in a barrel adapter kind of form factor. I got it on sale for about $30, but I believe the normal price is around $40 to $48...(depending on where you buy it)... Phil NYC Area

[@PhillipRPeck]

Yeah, I think they're the same. And the prices on these things are all over the place. Thanks for the comment!

[@uptownphotography]

@@PhillipRPeck I actually bought 2 more of them today and now have 3 of them. Great little units. Thanks. PS. Now I have to find out how you get those AC cord strain relief grommets/bushings apart so I can do a repair to an AC cord on a vintage Ibanez DM1000 Digital Delay! I hope there's a video on that subject! Phil NYC Area

[@PhillipRPeck]

I have no idea what you just said. So... good luck!

[@ArturZygmunt]

I use KlarkTeknik with SM7B and it's brilliant!

[@supahmac]

Good comparison. I have the Klark Teknik CT1. It works well, but the build quality is lacking. The front metal cap has already fallen off once, and now it is very loose. Otherwise happy with it.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Interesting. The CM1 seems solid. But I'm not surprised based on the price

[@SaccoBelmonte]

I think they sound exactly the same, the CT1 take was recorded a bit quieter.

[@mirrorten]

Heared via high quality studio monitors, I can tell that the origin SM7 track sounds so much richer than with these tiny boxes. Get yourself a decent preamp with enough preamp gain, dudes.

[@fluidever]

if u are on a budget, do you have any good solution ? instead throwing the most obvious solution buying a 400$ audio interface with a shure Sm7 450$, and 350$ each (pro) monitors at there lower price(I guess) total cost 1100 just for 1 mic sounding good. You should a little bit, use your brain!! when you starting a home studio as a beginner we dont have the privilege to spend 2000 or 3000 $ on gear. And by the way if you can make your entry level gears sound like a pro you can considering buying higher budget gear. But if you can't... keep working on it!!! instead throwing money trough the window... Expansive gears dont make's you a good musician at all!!! and even not a good gear specialist at all... see ya

[@ChrisFineganTunes]

I’m listening on Sony 7506s and I notice a drop in quality for both the CL1 and CT1. I think the Klark Teknik sounds the worse of the two. There’s a grainy quality to the sound that isn’t there with the SM7B direct to the interface. I don’t think it would be noticeable without the direct comparison, certainly not for 99% of listening environments, but it’s there.

[@anthonycain7578]

I would have considered the SM7B or a pair, had I heard this earlier. I bought a Cloud lifter CL ll, on an EBay auction for $104. It was sold as used however it looks new and came in the original box, with documentation and original silica packet. To work within my budget I look for used equipment to build out my Podcasting studio. I got the older Rodecaster Pro, because at $292.00 which included shipping and taxes, it looked like a better alternative to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

[@carldrickjunatan271]

great comparison video thank you!

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thank you!

[@sifisomdletshe9745]

Great and succinct review!

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thanks

[@peternapoliello2490]

I own both and find that the Klark is missing a certain richness to the sound. While the power is there again there is a missing element that makes me use the cloudlifter as my main source while recording. I keep the Klark in my carry bag as a back up to my Cloudlifter. To someone who is just recording KZbin Videos or non professional recording its great but for someone recording professional vocals or a radio broadcast clearly the Clouldlifter is the way to go. Last - I also hear a slight hum...not always but at times w The Klark. Its true that you get what you pay for.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Absolutely agree!

[@peternapoliello2490]

@@PhillipRPeck Hi Phillip...very good tutorial and very nice gear as well. Recording engineer?

[@PhillipRPeck]

@@peternapoliello2490 Me? No. I do video production

[@vicentcarro]

as a backup? huh??////..... those things will laast longer than you !

[@officialspaceefrain]

$35 vs $150 as of today. Yea the ☁️ isn’t $115 ‘better’. But in my opinion for such an expensive mix you want the best of the best. But they sounded so similar 😭. Ordered both so let’s see!

[@DeadOriginal]

So which is better?

[@im_Spade_]

Update?

[@Tarkov.]

You know what the industry says, louder is better. :P

[@matthartman9007]

Hey man, great video and comparison. Thanks! Sub'd!

[@PhillipRPeck]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jeffenrecords]

Great video man! Please forgive the random off-topic question, but I was actually wondering what kind of keyboard you've got there? I dig the translucent blue design! Thanks!

[@PhillipRPeck]

Sorry, I only answer on-topic questions. Just kidding. It's the Ducky One. I think it's discontinued but maybe you can find one secondhand. Check out mechanicalkeyboards.com, I've seen one there before

[@ChrisBrideauMedia]

I love my CM-1.

[@waimeaguyz9074]

Cloud lifter has slightly more presence. KT presence is a little smoother. I like the cloud lifter but it's too expensive. I can live with the KT since the difference is slight.

[@BeHempy]

The Cloudlifter is coloring the audio not the CM-1...

[@Red.exe7]

I like how to the klark is louder then the cloudlifter

[@PhillipRPeck]

Yeah, it's quite a bit louder. The value proposition on this thing is insane

[@Red.exe7]

@@PhillipRPeck For real. I ordered the klark and going to sell my cloud lifter, lol.

[@hunkydorian]

This is odd. You'd have to set a de-esser to a different (lower) frequency with the Klark Teknic than with the Cloudlifter.

[@mdelonghi406]

The cm1 or Dm1 has 12 dB more noise floor in comparison with cloudlifter fethead The fethead was the best with 2 dB less noise to the cloudlifter. Tube noise is beautiful. Fet noise is ugly. If your microphone has 17 dB of noise then immediately got 30 dB . My se DM1 and CM1 gone straight back to the shop. For live acts it’s perfect in the studio a “no go”.

[@mjbistroph8501]

Great job sir,shout out from philippines

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thank you! Greetings from Tennessee

[@JustMamba]

The only difference i heard was coming from the proximity effect.

[@Equality72521sr]

The Klark hands down! Sounds WAY BETTER!

[@ChanelSpike]

Good video=)Thank you)

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thank you too! Appreciate you

[@jacekropski8495]

Great video! One question: CM-1 requires phantom power, but is this power only for CM-1 or goes to the microphone? I am asking because I would like to use it with ribbon mic which do not need phantom. Thanks for any help and sorry for my english… 🙈

[@PhillipRPeck]

Yeah, the phantom power is for the CM-1 and does not go to the microphone. Your English is fine! Thanks for commenting

[@jacekropski8495]

@@PhillipRPeck Thank you very much 💪

[@surrenderradio2064]

Great video. What mic would you recommend for a cleaner, almost absent background sound that also has clear sound and good eq range?

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thank you. Any microphone? Price range? If you want something cheap, the Rode Podmic is nice. If you can spend a bit more, it's hard to beat the Shure SM7B or the EV RE20

[@McSlobo]

The only feature in microphones that helps you to avoid background noise is the pickup pattern, you know those cardioids, supercardioids, hypercardioids, 8s, omnis etc. Not all cardioids are made equal, it is a variable of frequency too. You probably want something with good off-axis rejection, a supercardioid or hypercardioid, that you can point to accurately the sound source. Positioning is crucial. Remember these mics must be placed so that there's no audio source directly behind them. Turn that fan off behind your back and move it to your side. Perhaps use a noise gate. A microphone doesn't know how far each sound source is. It's just about signal to noise ratio. The louder and closer the audio source is the weaker the background noise is relatively and in optimal situation you can just ignore it. In suboptimal situations you might need that gate or filtering.

[@VinizioOficial]

Why have you phantom power enabled with the shure sm7b, you don’t need it with dynamic mics or am I wrong? Or you have to use it mandatory with the cloudlifter ? 🤔

[@PhillipRPeck]

The mic activator/in line preamp (Cloudlifter or CM1) needs the phantom power to boost the signal from the SM7b. Phantom power is not being fed into the microphone, only the preamp (Cloudlifter or CM1 or whatever other kind you might be using)

[@VinizioOficial]

@@PhillipRPeck oh right, important to know, thanks for the quick replied ⭐

[@hahahaqwrty]

Is it oke to use klark with phantom power on? Will it ruin the sm7b?

[@PhillipRPeck]

Yes, phantom power is required for the Klark Teknik. Don't worry, it won't ruin your microphone

[@innercynic2784]

The cloudlifter is obscenely expensive for what it does. I have an earlier model of the klark and it does what it does without hoovering out your wallet.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Lol

[@McSlobo]

It's all about whether you want employees to be paid proper wages and have decent rights. The difference is about 300% in price. Please remember your answer when it concerns yourself.

[@yuh9157]

@@McSlobo lmao you probably work for the company with that kind of response

[@3s0t3r1c]

@@McSlobo I dare you to open up a Klark Teknik CM-1 just to see how many components are are used to manufacture the product and then tell us if it worth more then $30-40. And that is the final price.

[@blockedpot]

Sorry for necroposting but did you ever get a chance to see how well the CM1 does with electric interference?

[@PhillipRPeck]

Not sure. What exactly are you referring to?

[@blockedpot]

@@PhillipRPeck From what I have heard from my friends who are into it professionally, the Cloudlifter has a better resistance to RF interference. Were you able to test this?

[@Dakar_TM]

gracias !

[@PhillipRPeck]

De nada!

[@rayjonesfilms]

Nice 👍🏾

[@andreatellezmartinez3801]

I bought Behringer Uphoria UMC22, what XLR lav mic u recommend for that audio card?

[@PhillipRPeck]

Wow, I really don't know anything about XLR lav microphones. As a general rule, lavalier mics get expensive due to build quality/durability and size (the smaller they are, the more expensive), and not as much due to sound quality (how good can a tiny mic capsule sound?). So get the best one you can afford.... I wish I could be more help

[@andreatellezmartinez3801]

🤔@@PhillipRPeck you are right. I hadnt think on that.

[@profile_01]

Can this raise volume (gain before feedback) in live applications?

[@PhillipRPeck]

I’m not sure to be honest. Its job is to boost the gain of a preamplifier

[@im_Spade_]

5 months late but yes, this actively boosts the gain of your mic before it gets to your stream/PC/etc (pre-amp) as opposed to boosting in software

[@AlexJCYT]

hello there 2 quesion i have purchased a shure sm7b and I'm literally just going to be using it for voiceover stuff like commentary so would you say the cheaper one will be alright and can I use it with a

[@AlexJCYT]

focustire scarlett solo 3rd gen

[@PhillipRPeck]

Yeah absolutely. If you're not on camera you can get right on the mic and maybe not need a mic activator at all

[@AlexJCYT]

@@PhillipRPeck oh that’s brilliant I will try that and see how it goes cheers

[@HotGarbageSports]

Are you freaken kidding me? I have no idea if I just smashed like and subscribe because I feel bad or because you were awesome! 1) your review was super helpful and I totally dig the vibe of the video awesome work and your information was so helpful. 2) I can’t tell if you were a lost puppy at the end asking for a sub or not? But seriously you are so good at this!!! If that was a play, right on, you win keep doing that. If it wasn’t and that you on a video then my guy!! You got nothing to worry about. Tell us to smash the subscribe and we will, you did great! Ps down vote? I hate downvoters! Scum haha put in all that work and they down vote you, wieners. Anyways smashed like and smashed subscribe for you. Now.. I wish I could find a klark in Canada this is hard

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thanks! This is the funniest comment I've ever read. I can't remember if I was trying to gain sympathy points at the end of that video, or if I was being a sarcastic d-bag. Probably the second one. Either way, I guess it worked!

[@HotGarbageSports]

@@PhillipRPeck you nailed it! You I just got an SM7B and a focusrite 2i2. I didn’t get a inline booster I hate the way it sounds. Do I want 1) an inline booster and keep the focusrite 2i2? 2) spend more money on an interface with a stronger pre amp? 3) that rode podcast board thing (pro name right) ? If there is no way to go without an inline booster I’ll guess I’ll just go buy one of those as I love the mic

[@PhillipRPeck]

If you can get within an inch or two of the windscreen, you might be able to pull it off. I'm not sure what interface in the price range of the 2i2 that would be able to provide enough gain for the SM7b. I'd recommend just getting a mic activator. It will be worth it. If you can't find the Klark, try the SE Dynamite or the Fethead. Both are cheaper than a Cloudlifter and should be more widely available

[@kkkk-nt5pr]

5:22. 5:27

[@kamillitwionek3997]

Maybe Im deaf but for me Klark sounds better.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Hmm, you may want to get your ears checked... Just kidding. Sound is subjective and there aren't right and wrong answers. Appreciate your comment

[@frantotti9754]

Good bye to Cloudlifter .

[@Bro_TD]

Cheaper isn’t always better..