What is Reddit's opinion of Cloud Microphones - Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator - Ultra-Clean Microphone Preamp Gain - USA Made?

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Not sure why the other comment making this suggestion is being downvoted, but it sounds to me like you're using a dynamic microphone without some type of signal booster. Cloudlifter, mentioned in another comment, is an excellent one. (link here).

Also, if you're not, bounce out your files as mp3s. You can cut quite a bit of the file's size in this way. You'll lose some fidelity, but it's also possible your distributor is going to recompress it anyway.

Taking a quick look, the episode that you have posted is 39ish minutes, which should be well under 150mb if it's an mp3. When I master files up to 1.5 hours, they come in at under 100mb.

Furthermore, giving it a listen... I hear what you're talking about. (or rather, BARELY hear🤣) Does it sound like this in the raw file?

That said, I always recommend Libsyn for distribution.

I will be happy to try and help you troubleshoot if you want to move to DMs (and from there to email.) And you can shoot me the raw file (or session if you're using a DAW to produce) and we can dig in.

Long story short- this problem stinks, and I'm sorry you're dealing with it on something that's clearly important to you.

Run your mic through a Cloudlifter. It's a game changer!

I've only been using a blue snowball but want to upgrade to something better. I'm thinking of getting the Focusrite Scarlett Solo and then getting a mic like the at2020 or maybe even go high end and get something like the Shure SM7B. Would this be an alright set up? or if I got something like the Shure would I need to buy a mic booster like this too?

A cloudlifter is a device you plug in between your interface and mic. It uses the phantom power to boast the gain without noise. Here is a link from Amazon.

Cloudlifter from Amazon

Run it through one of these.

I mean the gain on my scarlett2i2, while the windows setting is at 100% aswell. On my mic there are two settings. First -10 db and 0 db (its set to 0 db) and something called "Low cut" with one option being a straight line and the other option being a line with an edge (its set to the straight line)

Everything below 100% gain is reported as too quiet by my teammates. Do I need something like this cloudlifter ?

Thanks.

Like this one? 149$ is expensive, do you know a cheaper model?

So the final configuration should be like: mic -> Cloudlifter ->phantom power -> pc. Right?

I like the SM7 too. Though, if you go that route, pick up a Cloudlifter too. The level is quite a bit lower than most other mics, unless you have fantastic preamps you'll find yourself in the top 15% of your preamp most of the time without a little boost up front from the Cloudlifter (or equivalent).

Thanks for your reply! I like the RE20 package, the mic itself sounds crisp and with post-processing, absolutely tantalizing. For the mixer, I agree with the switch to the Scarlett Focusrite Solo. Is it necessary to pick up a preamp as well? I'm looking at the Cloudlifter CL-1 which has received glowing reviews.

You need a cloudlifter to use a SM7b for podcasting so make sure you are adding that cost in too: https://www.amazon.ca/Cloud-Microphones-Cloudlifter-CL-1/dp/B004MQSV04/ref=sr_1_5?crid=16ZP1EOSWRC3E&keywords=cloudlifter&qid=1667407620&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjE3IiwicXNhIjoiMS44NSIsInFzcCI6IjEuNjcifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=cloudlifter%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-5

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Without that you won't get enough volume from a Shure SM7b for podcasting. Peace.

sm7b is very dope, great vocal mic. Your going to need a cloudlifter with it. https://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Microphones-CL-1-Cloudlifter-1-channel/dp/B004MQSV04/ref=sr\_1\_5?keywords=cloudlifter&qid=1638918812&sr=8-5

While compatible, you will likely need this additional device to boost the sound level without using too much mic gain that would add to noise levels. Unfortunately, makes for an expensive combo, but if you are spending the dollars for a Shure SM7B this seems to be the recommendation out there to get the best level of performance from it. https://www.amazon.ca/Cloud-Microphones-Cloudlifter-CL-1/dp/B004MQSV04/

What about something like the Cloud Filter then? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MQSV04/?coliid=I2DQHVH3448V9Kr I just have a problem of the scarletts gain not being good enough on its own.

Oh, interesting. You know, dynamic microphones can be interesting things. I vastly prefer them to condenser mics, but some dynamic mics need additional gain while others are perfectly fine without. Looks like yours need a little extra gain.

If it is the microphone that's the source of your troubles, you might instead look at returning the mixer and either getting another microphone, or get something that'll help provide extra gain to your mic.

For nothing more than gain boosting, the CloudLifter is a good item. However, it's expensive and that's all it does. Alternatively, a vocal processor might be another good way to go. I use a DBX 286s and swear by it. Rock solid, does compression, gain boosting, noise gate, all sorts of stuff in one. Looks like that Amazon link doesn't have good options for purchasing one, but I imagine you could find one in a local/online store (I'm not familiar with what you have in the UK, so I'll leave that to you).

I suppose the alternative to the alternative is to just edit stuff in post. That's always viable and it's the least expensive option. Now that you know it's the mic and not your mixer, it at least points towards what you may want to do in the future. In the interim, I'm not sure how friendly Audacity is to use with screen readers, but that's a good piece of software that's free. I apologize if we've already discussed Audacity, but I'm writing this on the fly.

And of course, grab another mic (swipe a friend's or something) just to be sure it's the mic and then you know you're set and can decide what direction you want to go.

Cheers.

Not an interface or preamp but perfect for a SM7B

a cloud lifter will go a long way to add some clean gain heres a amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Microphones-CL-1-Cloudlifter/dp/B004MQSV04/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464293068&sr=8-1&keywords=cloud+lifter and heres a link to a comparison with a sm7b https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYDQ-ptG6p4

Dynamics mics can be good with that kinda stuff because they don't pick up a lot of the other noise that's going on. The flip side is they're quiet, if you use a mic like the 58 you may find yourself wanting a hotter signal, you can remedy that with something like the Cloudlifter which is used frequently in conjecture with the Shure SM7B (probably the most popular mic for voiceover stuff).

If you're going for a top tier professional setup the Cloudlifter+SM7B is probably where you'll end up anyway so it might be worth it to just go there now. The AT2035 you linked is another Condenser mic and will be pretty much as sensitive as your Yeti, that's kinda their mo.

I'm not going to disagree here, but what I'm trying to say is that the sm7b is notorious for needing a lot of clean gain to get it cooking-- which is probably beyond the scope of many consumer/prosumer level interfaces.

I bought an sm7b and while the (75 db) preamps in my interface should've worked fine on paper, the noise floor was unbearable by the time the gain was turned up enough to get a usable signal.

I, like many others, resorted to getting a Cloudlifter CL-1 to remedy the solution.

In fact, the top 5 amazon reviews on the Cloudlifter mention that they got it to run with their sm7b's, and the Sweetwater review page has their salesman literally saying the following >Do you own an SM7b, or a ribbon microphone? Then you need a Cloudlifter.

Cloudlifter inline signal-boost amplifier

• Uses phantom power to give passive mics (mainly used for dynamic and ribbon mics) up to +25dB without passing phantom power on to mic.

• Easy to use self contained design requires only phantom power to work. **Does not use phantom power to power mics.

• Recommended for use with ~~all~~ (some) passive dynamic microphones