Cloudlifter Cl-Zi / Active DI
Elevate Your Sound
to the Power of
All of the clean gain & Vari-Z control of the Cloudlifter Z
in an active DI for bass, guitar, & keyboard players!
We Are Compatible
Cloudlifters are compatible with any tube, dynamic, or ribbon mic on the market today, INCLUDING these popular microphones:
Dynamic Microphones
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AKG D12 VR, D112, P2, P3, P4, P5i, D5, D40
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EV RE20, RE27, RE320, 635A
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Beyerdynamic M70 Pro X, M88, M201, V70d
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Sennheiser MD-421 II, MD 441-U, MD 431 II, MD 435, MD 445
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Sennheiser e 609, e 825-S, e 835, e 906, e 945
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Shure SM7B, MV7, MV7X (XLR)
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Shure SM57, SM58, Beta 57A & 58A
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Shure Super 55 Deluxe, and 55SH
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Heil PR20, PR 22, 30, PR35, PR40, PR781
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Telefunken M80, M81, M82
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Rode PodMic, Procaster
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Audix OM2, OM5, OM7, D4, D6
Tube Microphones
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AKG P820, C12 VR
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Golden Age GA ELA M 251E
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Lewitt LCT 840, LCT 940, LCT 1040
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Manley Reference Cardioid, Silver, Gold
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Mojave MA-37, MA-200, MA-300, MA-1000
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Miktek CV3, CV4
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Neumann M49 V, M149, U47, U67
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Soyuz 013 Tube, 017 Tube V2
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Telefunken C12, TF51, ELA M 251E, TF29, TF39, TF47, TF51, U47
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Rode NTK, K2
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Roswell Pro Audio Aztec
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Universal Audio Bock 251
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Warm Audio WA-47, WA-251, WA-8000, WA-CX12
Ribbon Mics (passive or tube)
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AEA R84, R44, R88 MKII
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Beyer M130, M160, M260, M500
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Cloud 44 Midnight, JRS-34
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Extinct Audio BM2, BM9
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Royer R10, 121, 122V, SF2, SF-12, SF-24V
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Coles 4038, 4040, 4104B
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Shure KSM313, KSM353
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MXL R144, R77
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Nady RSM-5
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SE Voodoo VR1, X1 R
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Golden Age R2 MKII
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Shotgun Mics (battery powered)
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Rode VideoMic NTG
While Cloud Microphones' Cloudlifters are designed for compatibility with a wide range of microphones in the industry, variations in microphone specifications may exist. It is advisable to check with your microphone manufacturer to ensure compatibility or, feel free to contact us for further assistance. Your optimal audio experience is our priority, and we are here to help clarify any uncertainties.
Cloud Microphones
About Us
Cloud Microphones manufactures top-of-the-line microphones, activators, and more! Cloud’s Ribbon Microphones and patented Cloudlifter Mic Activators are used by artists, engineers, podcasters, creators, broadcasters, and venues all over the world. Cloud Mic's Cloudlifters are manufactured in the US and on the Navajo Reservation, supporting small businesses in the southwest.
Cloudlifter CL-Zi Mic Activator
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Up to +25 dB of clean audio gain
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Make any home recording set-up sound more professional
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Compatible with dynamic, ribbon, tube, battery, or power supply driven microphones
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Uses +48v Phantom Power, but does not pass power to the mic, making it safe for ribbon mics
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Original Mic Activator - Made in the USA
Bring Your Mics to Life
Cloudlifters increase the sensitivity of your microphone and bring its natural tonal characteristics into focus. The single-channel Cloudlifter CL-1, two-channel Cloudlifter CL-2, and rack-mountable four channel Cloudlifter CL-4 all provide up to +25dB of ultra-clean gain with fixed impedance loading at 3kΩ, optimized for a wide variety of microphones. Each one is designed to improve the sensitivity and performance of lower-output microphones dramatically. Whether you’re using an expensive, professional-grade microphone/preamp combination or common microphones with a basic home setup, Cloudlifters provide way more signal from the microphone itself, allowing the preamp to operate in its optimal gain range by reducing the amount of gain needed. This reduces noise and distortion, bringing more of the microphone’s natural character into focus. For those recording professionally, at home, or performing on stage, Cloudlifters are valuable tools that produce high-quality, professional audio.
Up to +25 dB of Gain
Hear more of your dynamic and ribbon microphone's natural character and increase the clarity with +25dB of ultra-clean gain. Cloudlifters provide ultra-clean gain in two distinct stages while optimizing impedance loading.
The Cloudlifter uses +48v Phantom Power but does not pass power to the mic. For this reason, the Cloudlifter is a great way to keep your ribbon and tube mics safe from exposure to Phantom Power while providing the extra gain they need.
Reduce Unwanted Feedback
As a result of increased sensitivity and ultra-clean gain, the amount of gain required by the preamp is reduced significantly. This also reduces noise and improves the natural frequency response of the mic by allowing the preamp or interface to operate within its comfort zone!
Perfect for Podcasts, Professional and home Studios, AV, and Live Sound
Whether you are a pro studio looking for more gain from your ribbon or tube mics or narrating a podcast or video with a dynamic mic, creating quality content with the Cloudlifter is easy.
Variable Impedance Control
Shape tone of your mic or instrument with the Vari-Z knob.
In Mic Mode, the impedance values range from 150-15k Ohms.
In DI Mode the range is roughly 100x, or about 15k-1.5Meg.
Variable High-Pass Filtering
Continuously variable high-pass filtering @ -6dB per octave works in tandem with the variable impedance control for even greater tonal shaping.
Variable Gain
Three settings yield up to +25dB of ultra-clean gain for XLR microphones and up to +15dB for 1/4” inputs like bass, guitar and keyboards.
Combo Input
Compatible with 1/4” Hi-Z instrument inputs and XLR Lo-Z microphones via the Neutrik Combo Input Connector.
Premium Electronics
The Cloudlifter's patented discrete JFET circuitry preserves the source's natural sound while keeping the direct audio path clear of transformers, capacitors, and resistors.
Made in the USA
Rugged, road-ready, and portable. Manufactured responsibly in the USA. Free lifetime limited warranty.
Patents: 9,167,327; 9,888,315; 10,356,507; 10,721,552
CL-Zi Specs
Power
Dimensions
Input Impedance
3k Ohms
Recommended Load Impedance
>5K Ohms
Connectivity
3-pin male/female XLR connector
Powering
48V Phantom Power (P48 according to IEC 61938)
Product width
66.4 mm (2.6 in.)
Product height
135.89 mm (5.35 in.)
Product length
87.12 mm (3.43 in.)
Product weight
490 g (17.3 oz.)
Sound
Frequency range
5 Hz - 80 kHz (-0.3 dB)
Gain
Provides up to +25dB of Ultra-Clean Gain with 5k Load
Current consumption
3.1 mA
What's In The Box
CL-Zi
User manual with warranty card
Downloads
Manual
Troubleshooting
User Guide
Images
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(click for larger image)
Plug in, set the gain, & turn the Vari Z knob
to dial in your ideal tone.
Going direct just got a whole lot more fun!
Videos
Customer Reviews
CL-Zi
CUSTOMER
REVIEWS
Amazon Verified Purchase
I love this device. Honestly, I’m a novice about variable impedance but this device makes my microphones sing! It not only can provide 25dB gain and needed oomph to lower output mics. Specifically, it’s an absolute necessity for my Shure SM7B and Beyerdynamic M500 ribbon mics. It also has a hi pass filter.
But this variable impedance can allow you to dial in the perfect sound, tailor-made for your vocalist.
Fantastic
Professional Reviews
Music Connection
By: Barry Rudolph
The Cloudlifter CL-Zi works well with low-impedance mics, and the HPF feature worked great to reduce the proximity effect on old mies without roll-off switches. I could adjust the high-frequency amount, gain, and low-frequency content in different ways. I am adjusting the source's "size" and dynamic-ness or the relative ease with which the
mic reproduces the transients from drums and...
Performer Mag
By: Chris Devine
Sound wise, it was really musical – that’s the word that we kept circling back to. The frequency range is very full overall, and dialing in that little “extra” that makes a big difference during a session was really easy. It’s like a nice audio spice, just keep adding a bit until you’re satisfied. It worked well as...
For Home Studios & Professional Recording
The Cloudlifter CL-Zi is perfect for bass players, guitar players, and keyboard players! The Vari-Z knob and high pass frequency options make it easier than ever for instrumentalists to dial in their tone at the very front of their signal chain. The Cloudlifter CL-Zi Mic/Instrument Activator uses Phantom Power to give passive mics and instruments up to +25dB of ultra-clean gain without passing Phantom Powerto the mics themselves.