Inline microphone preamps are an important tool for anyone using a passive microphone (dynamic or ribbon) in their studio. An inline microphone preamp solves the problem of low-output microphones by adding 20-30dB of clean gain in exchange for phantom power.
This can be a great tool if you’re using a microphone like the Shure SM7B, which requires a lot of gain from an expensive audio interface or mixer. If you’re using a budget interface or mixer, you will need an inline preamp for the Shure SM7B to get a high-quality recording that isn’t full of preamp hiss.
Inline microphone preamps are also known as mic boosters or mic activators.
In this guide, we will be comparing our three favorite inline microphone preamps:
- sE Electronics Dynamite DM-1 – https://currentprice.io/dynamite
- Triton Audio FetHead – https://currentprice.io/fethead
- Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 – https://currentprice.io/cloudlifter
Quick Answer: Our favorite in-line preamp is the sE Electronics Dynamite DM-1. The DM-1 is an ultra-thin active preamp that can be placed between a microphone and its preamp, offering +28dB of clear and unobtrusive gain for dynamic and passive ribbon microphones.
sE Electronics Dynamite DM-1 Inline Preamp
Our favorite in-line microphone preamp is the sE Electronics Dynamite DM1.
The DM-1 is a compact inline preamp that can supply 28dB of clean gain, more than any other inline preamp on this list.
It has a small compact form factor and can be connected directly to your microphone (or interface) to avoid buying an extra XLR cable.
Quick Summary:
- Best value inline preamp/mic booster on the market.
Pros
- A whopping 28dB of clean gain!
- Doesn’t change the tone of your recording
- Works on dynamic and ribbon microphones
- It can be connected directly to the microphone, interface, or inline.
Cons
- Requires 48v Phantom Power
- Doesn’t work on condenser microphones.
- Bright red color doesn’t look good on camera.
Triton Audio Fethead Inline Preamp
In second place, we recommend the Triton Audio FetHead. Like the Dynamite, the FetHead is a small, portable inline preamp powered by 48v of phantom power.
It offers 27dB of clean gain for your microphone, which is more than enough for most dynamic and ribbon microphones.
Quick Summary
- Small
- Discreet
- Capable
- Great Value
Pros
- 27dB of clean gain
- Works on dynamic and ribbon microphones
- It can be connected directly to the microphone
- Smaller size than Dynamite and Cloudlifter.
Cons
- Requires 48v Phantom Power
- Doesn’t work on condenser Microphones
Cloudlifter CL-1 Inline Preamp
Our third favorite option is the Cloudlifter CL-1 from Cloud Microphones. The CL-1 is a bit larger than the Dynamite and the FetHead, which can make it a bit more cumbersome to use. You can’t connect it directly to a microphone so you must use another XLR cable to make it work.
Similar to the other two options, it requires 48v of phantom power from an audio interface or audio mixer.
The CL-1 offers only 25dB of clean gain for your dynamic or ribbon microphone. This is certainly enough gain for most applications, but it is less than the Dynamite DM-1, and Fethead provides.
That being said, the Cloudlifter is still the best-selling and most popular inline preamp. It is the category leader, and “Cloudlifter” is synonymous with “inline preamp”. But again, this comes at a cost, as they are currently the most expensive option on this list.
Quick Summary
- Most popular
- Most expensive
Pros
- 25dB of clean gain
- Transparent sound
- Works on dynamic and ribbon microphones
- Protects ribbon microphones from phantom power.
- Built like a tank
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Requires 48v Phantom Power
- Requires extra XLR cable compared to Dynamite DM-1 and Fethead
- Most expensive option
More Inline Preamps To Consider
If you’re looking for more inline preamps, be sure to consider:
- Coda Stealth: https://currentprice.io/coda_stealth
- Radial McBoost: https://currentprice.io/mcboost
How Does An Inline Preamp Work?
An inline preamp is an external device that sits between a passive microphone and an audio interface or mixer. It will amplify the tiny mic-level signal that a microphone generates to bring it to a level that can be properly recorded or used in a live performance.
The inline preamp can provide additional gain while being relatively transparent and not adding noise or changing the microphone’s tone.
The only downside of an inline preamp is that it requires 48v of phantom power from an audio mixer or interface.
An inline preamp will:
- Work with any passive microphone
- Add 20-30dB of clean gain
- Require 48v of phantom power
- Be relatively transparent
- Be plug & play. Just connect it and power it up with 48v.
Related: Cloudlifter CL-1 vs Dynamite DM-1
When To Use An Inline Preamp
If you ever notice that you’re using a dynamic or ribbon microphone and your input gain on your audio interface or mixer is above 8/10, it’s time to add an inline preamp to your signal chain.
Once your gain is above 8/10 on your audio mixer or interface, you will notice that you start to hear hiss, static, and noise in your recording. To prevent this, you need to use an inline preamp.
An inline preamp can also protect ribbon microphones from damage caused by 48v phantom power. Some audio mixers send this power to all microphone channels simultaneously, so if you need to power up a condenser microphone, it can be dangerous for ribbon microphones. An inline preamp will consume the 48v power before it reaches the ribbon microphone, thus protecting it.
When To Avoid Using An Inline Preamp
You should not use an inline preamp with any active microphone. An active microphone is any microphone that requires external power. This includes:
- Condenser Microphones
- Active Dynamic Microphones
- Active Ribbon Microphones
If you use an inline preamp with a device that requires phantom power, like a condenser microphone, the inline preamp will consume the 48v, and the voltage won’t make it to your condenser microphone to activate it.
If you use an inline preamp, you won’t get any signal from a condenser microphone, active dynamic microphone, or active ribbon microphone.
Related: Dynamic vs Condenser Microphones
Inline Microphone Preamp FAQs
Does the Shure SM7B need an inline preamp?
If you’re using a budget audio interface or mixer with the Shure SM7B, you will require an inline preamp to get a strong, clean signal from the Shure SM7B.
Does the Rode Podmic need an inline preamp?
The Rode Podmic requires a large amount of gain to sound good. You may need an inline preamp using a budget interface or mixer. An inline preamp will help you get a higher-quality signal for your recording.
Do all dynamic microphones need an inline preamp?
Dynamic microphones require an inline preamp if they sound hissy or don’t get loud enough with the audio interface or audio mixer that you’re using.
Do condenser microphones need an inline preamp?
No. Condenser microphones don’t need an inline preamp. If you use an inline preamp with a condenser microphone, you will not get any signal from the microphone.
Why does my Cloudlifter work?
The two most common reasons that a Cloudlifter CL-1 doesn’t work is because it’s connected to a condenser microphone or you don’t have 48v of phantom power turned on.
What is the best Cloudlifter alternative?
The best inline preamp that we’ve tested is the sE Electronics Dynamite DM1. It has 3dB extra gain, and is smaller and easier to use.
What is the best inline preamp for the Shure SM7B?
We highly recommend the sE Electronics Dynamite DM-1 inline preamp for the Shure SM7B. It has a small compact form factor and delivers a whopping 28dB of clean gain. This will make your Shure SM7B sound fantastic!
