Take Control of Your Sound: Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter Zi Vari-Z Instrument DI and Mic Activator
Control the tone and gain of instruments, microphones and preamps with variable impedance, variable high-pass filter and 3-stage gain switch
NAMM, Anaheim, CA, Booth#6327 – Cloud Microphones brings their popular Cloudlifter® Mic Activator® technology to guitar players, bass players, keyboard players and more with the introduction of the Cloudlifter Zi Vari-Z Instrument DI and Mic Activator. In addition to giving instrument players control over their tone and gain staging from the very front of their signal chain, the new CL-Zi retains all of the original Cloudlifter-Z features for adding clean gain to dynamic and ribbon microphones.
“Our new Cloudlifter Zi packs a dual punch for both instrumentalists and vocalists,” said Rodger Cloud. “It maximizes your instrument or mic’s signal strength and clarity while lowering the noise floor and also allows you to control your tone in a particularly beautiful way that can only be accomplished through manipulation of impedance.”
The Cloudlifter Zi uses phantom power from any preamp to solve an array of common issues with instruments and microphones, providing up to +25dB of ultra-clean gain for XLR microphones and Lo-z sources and up to 12dB for 1/4” instruments and Hi-z sources, via the Neutrik combination dual input connector and Hi-z to Lo-z Cinemag instrument transformer.
Tone Control using Vari-Z Loading and High-Pass Filtering
The CL-Zi’s variable impedance “Z” knob and high-pass filter work in tandem to create massive tone control in a unique way through the manipulation of impedance loading. This is a great way to customize your tone before the gain stage of your signal path - just turn the “Z” knob until it sounds right!
Variable Gain
The CL-Zi has a three-position gain switch allowing for minimum gain, more gain, or the maximum gain available (up to approx. +25db for microphones or 12dB for instruments), This allows users to access clean gain and a lower noise floor for many studio or stage applications, from an electric guitar player that uses amp modeling or an acoustic guitar player performing live to singers with dynamic microphones to increase gain before feedback on stage.
Features:
Fully sweep-able variable impedance loading from 150ohms to 15kohms
High-Pass filter frequency variable from below 20hz to over 4khz
Three gain settings yield up to +25dB, 12dB, or 6dB with mics and up to +12dB, 6dB, or 3dB with instruments
Compatible with 1/4” Hi-z instrument inputs and XLR Lo-z microphones
Hi-z input of >1Mohm primary impedance prior to secondary loading via the Cloudlifter’s Vari-Z interface
Improves microphone gain before feedback ratio in live & public address applications
Easy to use self-contained design requires only phantom power
Compatible with dynamic, ribbon, tube, battery, or power supply driven microphones
Uses patented Class A, discrete JFET circuitry and patented Vari-Z user interface
Rugged, road-ready, and portable for studio, stage, and broadcasting
Free lifetime limited warranty for parts and labor with product registration
Manufactured and fabricated responsibly in the USA
Pricing and Availability:
The Cloudlifter CL-Zi will be available in spring of 2017 for $449 MSRP, $379 MAP.
About Cloud Microphones
Based in Tucson, Arizona, Cloud’s ribbon mics and Cloudlifter Mic Activators rank among some of the most acclaimed products in the professional audio industry. All of Cloud’s products are made regionally from start to finish, creating jobs and benefiting small businesses. This includes manufacturing in Tucson, Phoenix and on the Navajo Nation. In May of 2016, founder Rodger Cloud and his team received the President’s “E” Award, the highest accolade any business can earn for contributing to the expansion of U.S. exports. www.cloudmicrophones.com