Cloudlifter CL-Z Single Channel Mic Activator with Variable Impedance

The Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-Z takes the industry-standard inline gain boost of the original Cloudlifter and combines it with advanced tonal control. Equipped with Cloud's patented Vari-Z loading control, a sweepable high-pass filter, and switchable output gain levels, the CL-Z provides up to +25 dB of ultra-clean Class-A gain while giving you precise authority over proximity effect, frequency response, and character for any passive microphone.

The CL-Z features a switchable High-Pass Filter that works interactively with the Vari-Z control. As you sweep the Z dial, the cutoff frequency dynamically shifts (ranging from ~20 Hz to 250 Hz), allowing you to tame proximity effect on ribbon and dynamic mics seamlessly. A selectable More / Max switch lets you toggle between +12 dB and +25 dB of gain, preventing signal overload when tracking louder acoustic sources.

Key Features

• Variable Impedance Control (150Ω to 15kΩ): Continuously variable Vari-Z knob allows exact impedance matching—or intentional creative mismatching—to alter dynamic and ribbon mic character.

• Up to +25dB Ultra-Clean Gain: Provides variable Class-A discrete JFET boost to significantly lower the noise floor of low-output transducers.

• Interactive High-Pass Filtering: Low-cut circuit adjusts cutoff frequency dynamically alongside the Vari-Z setting to manage low-end boom and proximity effect.

• Selectable Gain Attenuation: Toggle between "Max" (+25dB) and "More" (+12dB) stages to optimize output levels for both quiet dialog and loud instrument sources.

• Phantom Power Safe: Operates via standard +48V phantom power without passing DC voltage to the input, completely protecting delicate ribbon and vintage dynamic mics.

• Heavy-Duty USA Construction: Built with a rugged steel chassis in Tucson, Arizona, and backed by a limited lifetime warranty upon registration.

Technical Specifications

• Form Factor: Compact Desktop / Inline Hardware Unit

• Channel Count: 1 Channel

• Gain Range: Switchable +12 dB ("More") / +25 dB ("Max")

• Circuit Topology: Patented Class-A Discrete JFET

• Variable Input Impedance: $150\Omega \text{ to }15\text{ k}\Omega$ (Continuously Variable)

• High-Pass Filter: Switchable Variable Low-Cut Filter (~20 Hz – 250 Hz, interactive with Vari-Z dial)

• Power Requirements: $+48\text{V}$ Phantom Power (Blocks phantom power from reaching connected microphones)

• Audio Inputs: 1x XLR Female (Gold Pin)

• Audio Outputs: 1x XLR Male (Gold Pin)

• Compatible Transducers: Passive Dynamics, Passive Ribbons, Tube Mics (via PSU output), Battery-Powered Condensers, Passive DIs

• Enclosure Construction: Heavy-Duty Steel Chassis (Handcrafted in Tucson, AZ, USA)