Tritonaudio FetHead - Studio Preamplifier

Product Information

El único 'pero' que le puedo poner es que conectado al lado del micrófono, puede hacer que el tamaño sea un poco mas voluminoso de lo deseable (de las dos posibilidades es la mejor teóricamente aunque en distancias de 1 a 5 metros de cable la puede ser marginal) y el manejo puede ser un poco mas aparatoso. Many dynamic and ribbon mics have low sensitivities and need at least 60 dB of gain for good results. Built with a solid steel chassis, the CL-1 is robust and made to stand up to regular use in the studio. What’s nice about them is that they’re manufactured in the US using quality components and Cloud offer a lifetime warranty which says a lot about how long they expect them to last. As for the amount of the boost that the FetHead gives you, it’s specified as being 27 dB by Triton. This varies by load impedance, however, so you may find that you get a higher or lower boost depending on your connections. Made in Canada, the McBoost is constructed with a 14-gauge steel I-beam inner frame and uses high quality, batch-sorted components so from a robustness point of view, there’s little to worry about. The gain boost is provides is typical of the mic activators we’re looking at coming in at +25db. As mentioned above though, there are different level options to choose from via the switch which adds a little more flexibility.

Another scenario to consider is if you’re recording loud sounds with your dynamic mic—drums or loud voices, for instance. In these instances, you may not require the boost that FetHead provides. Our FetHead Transformer will get you an instant ‘radio’ voice that works wonders on podcasts and voice-overs. After extensive tests and prototyping we came up with a very portable solution to get a stellar sound with just a regular dynamic microphone. Get a produced sound within seconds. McBoost is rugged, compact, and almost twice as heavy as others on this list. It features an all-steel case with powder coating that is clearly built to last a lifetime. It also features hand-matched transistors and dual FET class-A circuits for optimal performance. The FetHead range contains models with different features for different applications. Models include the standard version, the FetHead Phantom which still passes phantom power to the microphone therefore making it suitable with condensers and the FetHead filter which features a high pass filter. For our comparison with Cloud’s CL-1, we’ll be looking at the standard FetHead.

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FetHead Filter is a Fethead version with a built-in 6dB/octave high pass filter with a corner frequency of 220Hz (other cutoff frequencies available on request). It is specially designed for microphones which exhibit an excessive proximity effect / low frequency response, like long motor ribbon microphones. The components which make up the filter are not directly in the signal path but are applied to the components which set the gain of FetHead Filters amplifier, thus making it frequency dependant. This way the sonic character which makes a FetHead attractive to the ear is preserved. Made of high-quality steel, it can also help protect older ribbon microphone styles that can be damaged by phantom power. Its portability makes it the perfect choice for the artist on the go. Performance There is some argument about what these devices actually are. They serve some of the same functions as a preamp, but many refer to them as mic activators. Either way, they add much-needed gain for artists with low output mics searching for slightly higher loudness.

Weighing just over half a pound (.25 kg) and designed to attach right to your microphone, the FetHead’s compact design makes it versatile. This lightweight construction does not sacrifice power or durability. Other than these situations, a FetHead can be a great addition to your mic setup if you need a clean boost to the level of your dynamic or ribbon microphone. Detailed ReviewDurham is a no-frills mic activator. You simply plug it in and claim your hassle-free +20 dB of clean gain. Compared to the CL-1, it falls 5 dB short, but the price is a lot lower too. In every other aspect, it is comparable to the CL-1. Performance-wise, it can add up to 27 dB of clean gain to low-impedance signals. FET-based designs have a reputation for sounding remarkably clean. The FetHead too has no issues with noise, assuming that the signal has clean gain at the primary level from the preamp. Like the Cloudlifter, the FetHead provides a clean and transparent gain boost. The only niggle with it is that there tends to be a bit of play between the mic and the cable but this doesn’t impact performance in any way. McBoost provides 26 dB of ‘variable clean gain’, which means it has a rotary knob on the front panel to set the level of gain between 100%, 50%, or variable. The circuit and electrical isolation ensure that it does not add any noise or tone color i.e. transparent operation. You’ll have probably noticed that both of these options are the two at the lowest price points. That’s because all of the alternatives we’ve covered do largely the same thing – provide clean, transparent gain. The only reason to go for something more expensive than the Durham MKii or the FetHead is if you need either more gain or want additional features. Frequently Asked Questions Is a Cloudlifter necessary?

As popular as they are though, alternatives do exist, some of which are more friendly on the wallet and others which have additional features. In this roundup, we’ll explore the different options available and detail the pros and cons of each. The DM-1 is made with grade high quality components and FETs which results in very low noise. The gain is clean and neutral which is exactly what you want from a mic activator. So, be sure to use the correct version of FetHead (i.e., with or without phantom power passthrough) with your mic! When Would You Use A FetHead? Typical EINs on audio interfaces, mixers, etc., are in the range of -120 dBu to -129 dBu, so the FetHead is at the lowest end of the typical EIN range. This means that it provides a very clean signal boost.

Preamp for condenser microphones

The FetHead is a popular Cloudlifter alternative because it provides a similar amount of additional gain a lower price point and it does so without needing an additional XLR cable. With the Cloudlifter, you need to plug your mic into it and then run another XLR cable from the output port into your mixer or audio interface. It’s still inline but perhaps less convenient than something like the FetHead which plugs directly into your microphone. I’ve spent a fat minute researching the inline preamps recently to find the best mic booster for my podcasting setup. I settled for the Cloudlifter CL-Z even though I would have done fine with a FetHead. Some of this mics need upwards of 60dB and for many pre-amps this is just outside of the quieter part of the gain stage. This has been our head to head for the two most popular products in the mic activation market. As you can tell, there are pros and cons to both devices. If you can handle a little extra noise in your recordings then the FetHead is the obvious choice, with its ultra-transparent high gain signal boost. If you are less concerned about coloration and are looking for a product that can prescribe gain based on what your mic needs, then the CL-1 is the activator for you.

You could use an outboard preamp instead of a mic activator but unless you can find a used bargain, it’s likely that a mic activator will be more cost effective (and are more portable). There’s a metal sleeve with branding on it that fits around the main metal tube—don’t worry if this comes loose (it’s glued on) as it won’t affect how it works. The unit is designed to provide a completely transparent boost meaning that it won’t change the sound of your mic in any way. Here is the full spec: One of the biggest draws of the Cloudlifter is that it does not wildly distort your noise floor. This means you can expect clean gain with little to no added issues caused by adding this mic activator to your recording setup. Specs De pequeño tamaño y construcción sólida cumple lo que promete, amplificar la señal de tu micrófono SIEMPRE QUE SEA REALMENTE NECESARIO (y lo pongo en mayúsculas por que hay gente que lo usa sin necesidad de ello).The FetHead works with dynamic microphones (both moving coil and ribbon) but not with condenser microphones. For live broadcasters, the compact design of this mic activator can make all the difference. By providing a clean boost without complicating it, FetHead allows you to keep things simple while still achieving the most accurate audio possible. They also make the FetHead Phantom which does pass Phantom and can be used for lower output condensers like a vintage U87A. Whereas if you’re a band director or live podcaster who performs in spacious auditoriums, the ability to place a Cloudlifter along the chain to reduce noise and boost your noise floor is invaluable.