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Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter Zi 1-channel DI and Mic Activator with Variable Impedance

1-channel DI and Mic Activator with Variable Impedance
$379.00

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Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter Zi 1-channel DI and Mic Activator with Variable Impedance
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$379.00
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Indispensable DI Box/Mic Booster

If you're an instrumentalist or vocalist, we have a product you should know about. Cloud Microphones' Cloudlifter Zi is a DI box and "mic activator" that boosts the clarity and strength of your instrument or microphone signal while lowering the noise floor. It also lets you manipulate impedance to shape your tone in a beautifully musical way. The Cloudlifter Zi is phantom-powered to sidestep many of the common problems that occur with mics and instruments. It delivers up to 25dB of clean gain for lo-Z sources and XLR mics; up to 12dB for 1/4" instruments and hi-Z sources. In typical Cloud fashion, build quality is outstanding. Incorporating top-shelf parts like a Neutrik combo connector and hi-Z to lo-Z Cinemag instrument transformer, the Cloudlifter Zi lives up to Cloud's usual outstanding quality standards.

DI or mic: your Cloudlifter for all seasons

The forums are full of love letters from satisfied engineers who've used their Cloudlifters to get new life and energy from their low-output broadcast mics. However, the amazing Cloudlifter can make even cheap handhelds sound like studio standard mics by bringing out those frequencies that are normally too quiet to notice. And now with the Cloudlifter Zi DI box/mic booster, you've got an indispensable Swiss army knife for your direct as well as microphone sources. Your engineer's toolkit isn't complete without it.

Dial in character with variable input impedance loading

The Cloudlifter Zi provides up to 25dB of clean gain, variable input impedance, and a variable highpass filter. Cloud's patented Vari-Z impedance control is sweepable from 150 ohms to 15k ohms and allows you to creatively load a mic's output transformer, opening up a broad range of tonal variations for each microphone.

Instant ribbon pre mod

Ribbon mics are wonderful, but many microphone preamplifiers are simply too weak to get enough signal out of them. A Cloudlifter Mic Activator will turn your preamp's harmful phantom power into as much as +25dB of extra gain, transforming even a budget model pre into an effective ribbon preamp.

Totally transparent boost

Cloud Microphones designed their Cloudlifter series around direct-coupled, discrete JFET circuitry, engineered to preserve the natural sound of your mics. So, no matter how dramatic of an impact this transparent technology may have on your recordings, you can be sure you're really just hearing your mic at its best.

Essential for long cable runs

If you work in a large, multi-room studio or an auditorium like the Sweetwater Performance Theater, then you won't believe what a difference a Cloudlifter will make. With its extra gain boost driving your signal, even cable runs over hundreds of feet won't drain the life out of your sound. The result is nothing short of remarkable.

Noise-free amplification

Many preamps sound great until you push them, resulting in all the hiss and crackle produced by the amplifier itself ending up in the mix. The gain boost provided by your Cloudlifter Zi lets your mic pre work more efficiently, giving you the levels you need, without the noise.

Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter Zi Features:

  • Variable impedance loading, sweepable from 150 ohms to 15k ohms
  • Highpass filter, variable from 20Hz to over 4kHz
  • 3 gain settings deliver up to +25dB, 12dB, or 6dB with mics and up to +12dB, 6dB, or 3dB with instruments
  • Compatible with XLR mics and 1/4" instrument inputs
  • Hi-Z input of greater than 1M ohm primary impedance (prior to secondary loading via Cloudlifter's Vari-Z interface)
  • Improves mic gain-before-feedback ratio in live/PA applications
  • Easy-to-use; requires only phantom power
  • Compatible with dynamic, ribbon, tube, battery, or power-supply driven microphones
  • Discrete, Class A JFET circuitry and Cloud's patented Vari-Z user interface
  • Portable and roadworthy for studio, onstage, and broadcast use
  • Free lifetime limited warranty for parts and labor with product registration
  • Manufactured responsibly in Cloud Microphones' Tucson Arizona factory

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Instrument DI, Mic input
  • Channels: 1
  • Ground Lift: Yes
  • Inputs: 1 x XLR-1/4" combo
  • Outputs: 1 x XLR
  • Power Supply: 48V Phantom Power
  • Manufacturer Part Number: CL-Zi

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Rack Version Wish List.

I would love to see a 4 unit rack version of this with the "Variable Impedance" knobs on the front as well as the DI jack and HPF/Gain switches. I use one of these for acoustic guitar/bass DI with a Manley or Neve pre and it sounds fantastic, better than the mic pre stock DI's as it is matching your impedance. Also great with an SM7B.

Highly recommended.
Music background: Musician, Recording Tech, Mix, Master.
Rated 5/5

Sweet Spot

Simply stated, you can dial in the sweet spot with variable impedance, optional low cut, with 3 gain settings on a mic or DI. Now you can use that ribbon mic on a low gain tube amp. Badda Bing
Rated 5/5

Simplicity is best

My favorite musical tools are those that sound great, are easy to use, and don't cost a fortune. The cloud lifter Zi is just that kind of tool.

Your ears will tell you immediately if you have hit the sweet spot. After that forget about it, you are in sonic heaven.

Other companies sell products that don't allow dialing in on the sweet spot. Yes you can manipulate signal in the box but, why bother when you can

get the signal right at the source. I've picked up two of these and am very happy with the results. Teve Smith (engineer) gets kudos for bringing this fine product to my attention.

Thanks Cloudlifter!
Rated 5/5

Tone shaping in a small package

I've purchased 2 because one wasn't enough. If you want to control tone at the front of the sound chain this is the box for you. Solid construction and great for getting your tone just the way you like it.
Rated 5/5

The Cloudlifter Zi is just Great!

I was looking for some type of device that could let me "shape" the sound of my electric guitar.
My Sales Engineer, Ben Robinson, suggested that I get a Cloudlifter Zi with Variable Impedance.
I didn't even know what any of that meant, but I bought it and am very glad I did.
I record my guitar out of a Fender Princeton Reverb amp, using a newly-purchased Telefunken M81 mic.
Whoa! What a difference in tonality!
You really can "shape" the sound of your guitar.
Since this only works on dynamic or ribbon microphones (as far as I know, and I don't know much), I decided to record my voice on it.
I wanted to mimic the sound of an old-style radio broadcast.
I just cranked the output on high, set the Impedance at 1.4, and got exactly the sound I wanted without having to add any plug-in effects from Logic Pro X.
I love this device and just wish I had bought it sooner.
Also, when recording guitar, you can really make your guitar sound smooth as glass, or crank it up and get some great effects.
I hope this is helpful.
Cheers.
Music background: Advanced Beginner guitar player
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