{"product_id":"cloudlifter-cl-x2-mic-activator","title":"Cloudlifter CL-X2 Mic Activator","description":"\u003c!-- Section 1 --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"par-section\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"par-image\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0646\/4031\/9643\/files\/CL-X2RightAngleDown_531f6e63-709c-48f2-a984-00cd1dfb637f.png?v=1778170202\" alt=\"Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-X2 two-channel transformer mic activator showing dual gain switches and Neutrik Gold XLR inputs and outputs\"\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"par-text\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eTwo Transformers. Two Channels. One Piece of Hardware That Changes the Character of Everything Going Through It.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThere is a reason studio consoles built around transformer-coupled input stages became the reference for what recorded music is supposed to sound like. The transformer isn't just a component in the signal path. It's an active participant in shaping how transients behave, how low frequencies feel, and how much harmonic complexity the recording carries into the mix. The producers who understand this spend their careers hunting for the right hardware to put that character into their recordings at the source rather than trying to reconstruct it later with plugins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe CL-X2 is two channels of that hardware, in a single enclosure designed for stereo use. Each channel runs its own nickel-core CineMag transformer, custom-wound for the X-Series, paired with the same patented Class-A discrete JFET circuitry that powers the entire Cloudlifter line. Both channels are circuit-identical and transformer-matched, so a stereo ribbon pair or a matched pair of dynamics sees the same gain, the same loading, and the same transformer character on both sides. That consistency is what makes the CL-X2 the right tool for stereo tracking applications where any deviation between channels shows up immediately in the image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n \n\u003c!-- Section 2 --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"par-section reverse\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"par-image\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0646\/4031\/9643\/files\/CL-X2LeftAngleDown_87d6e607-b143-4bb0-bb2b-0ca4b8ca38c9.png?v=1778170201\" alt=\"CL-X2 Cloudlifter in stereo acoustic guitar tracking setup with matched ribbon microphone pair showing dual CineMag transformer signal chain\"\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"par-text\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eIndependent Gain Switching Per Channel. Two Different Tools in the Same Box.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eEach of the CL-X2's two channels has its own independent gain switch, which means you're not locked into matching gain positions across both inputs. A stereo drum room pair where one mic is closer to the kit than the other, a broadcast setup where two hosts are at different distances from their microphones, a mid-side recording where the mid and side signals need different gain staging: all of these can be handled without reaching for an additional device.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003ePer-channel gain switch positions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eMAX (+36dB):\u003c\/strong\u003e Full gain for passive ribbon and dynamic microphones at normal recording distances. The nickel-core transformer is running conservatively, contributing warmth and low-mid density while the JFET gain stages deliver the headroom the mic needs. This is the default position for any passive source that requires substantial gain recovery\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eMORE (+12dB):\u003c\/strong\u003e For louder sources, close-miked applications, and any situation where pushing more signal through the transformer is the goal. At +12dB the transformer saturates more progressively as level increases, adding harmonic complexity, transient softening, and the kind of compression behavior that makes a drum overhead or a loud ribbon on a guitar amp feel like it was tracked through a great console rather than a clean interface\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eCircuit design:\u003c\/strong\u003e Patented Class-A Discrete JFET, dual noise-canceling gain stages per channel\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eTransformer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Custom CineMag (nickel-core, X-Series, one per channel)\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eInput impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3kΩ per channel\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eRecommended load impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Greater than 5kΩ\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 Hz to 80 kHz (-0.3 dB)\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eConnectors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neutrik Gold XLR input and output on both channels\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n \n\u003c!-- Section 3 --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"par-section\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"par-image\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0646\/4031\/9643\/files\/CL-X2Front_1bdc07a9-2ca0-49e0-a1f6-bca29fbfbd04.png?v=1778170202\" alt=\"Cloudlifter CL-X2 More\/Max gain switches close-up showing independent +12dB and +36dB per-channel control for dual passive microphone sources\"\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"par-text\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eThe Analog Character Is in the Recording. Not the Plugin Chain.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eConsider the practical difference between a vocal or acoustic guitar tracked through a clean interface preamp, then processed with a transformer emulation plugin afterward, versus that same source tracked through two nickel-core CineMag transformers with the JFET gain stage supplying the headroom. In the first scenario, the plugin is applying a static effect to a signal that was already committed to tape without that character. In the second, the transformer's response to the specific dynamics of that specific performance, its compression on the loudest consonants, its harmonic enrichment on sustained notes, is embedded in the recorded signal and will respond to all downstream processing exactly the way real analog hardware does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe CL-X2 also carries both the phantom power protection that the entire Cloudlifter line is known for across both channels: +48V from the downstream preamp or interface powers the JFET circuits and the transformers on each channel without reaching the microphone elements. For producers running matched stereo ribbon pairs where a single phantom event could destroy both elements simultaneously, this dual-channel phantom isolation is not a secondary consideration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n \n\u003ch3\u003eHighlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTwo fully independent channels of up to +36dB gain for any passive dynamic, ribbon, or tube microphone\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOne nickel-core CineMag transformer per channel, custom-wound for the X-Series, providing dynamically responsive harmonic saturation that increases with signal level\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCircuit-identical and transformer-matched channels for stereo use with ribbon pairs, ORTF configurations, and matched dynamic setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIndependent More\/Max gain switch per channel: +36dB MAX for low-output passive sources; +12dB MORE for louder sources and maximum transformer drive and saturation\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePatented Class-A discrete JFET circuitry with dual noise-canceling gain stages per channel\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e3kΩ fixed input impedance per channel, optimal for dynamic, ribbon, and tube microphone loading\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRecommended load impedance: greater than 5kΩ per channel\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFrequency response: 5 Hz to 80 kHz (-0.3 dB)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNeutrik Gold XLR connectors on both inputs and both outputs for reliable long-cycle connectivity\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRequires +48V phantom power (P48, IEC 61938); does not pass phantom to either microphone, safe for all passive ribbon and tube mics on both channels\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCompatible with passive dynamic, ribbon, tube, battery-powered, and power-supply-driven microphones on both channels independently\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRugged solid steel chassis, rubber feet, underside metal bridge for strap or velcro mounting in live environments\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDimensions: 5.35\" x 3.43\" x 2.6\" (verify against unit) \/ Weight: approx. 17.3 oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHandcrafted in Tucson, Arizona, USA\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLimited lifetime warranty with registration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n \n\u003ch3\u003eCloudlifter CL-X2 Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;\"\u003e\n      \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc; width:35%;\"\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n      \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eChannels\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e2, Fully Independent\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eCircuit Design\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003ePatented Class-A Discrete JFET, Dual Noise-Canceling Gain Stages (per channel)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eTransformer\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eCustom CineMag Nickel-Core, X-Series (one per channel); dynamically responsive harmonic saturation\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eMaximum Gain (per channel)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eUp to +36 dB (MAX position)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eGain Switch Positions (per channel, independent)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e+36 dB (MAX) \/ +12 dB (MORE)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eInput Impedance (per channel)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e3kΩ (fixed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eRecommended Load Impedance\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eGreater than 5kΩ\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eFrequency Response\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e5 Hz to 80 kHz (-0.3 dB)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eInput Connectors\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e2x Neutrik Gold 3-pin Male XLR\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eOutput Connectors\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e2x Neutrik Gold 3-pin Female XLR\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003ePhantom Power Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e+48V (P48, IEC 61938)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003ePhantom Pass-Through\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eNo (both channels; safe for all passive ribbon and tube microphones)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003ePassive Dynamic, Ribbon, Tube, Battery-Powered, and Power-Supply-Driven Microphones\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e5.35\" x 3.43\" x 2.6\" (verify against unit)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eApprox. 17.3 oz (verify against unit)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eConstruction\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eRugged Solid Steel Chassis, Rubber Feet, Underside Metal Bridge for Strap\/Velcro Mounting\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eManufacturing\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eHandcrafted in Tucson, Arizona, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eLimited Lifetime (with registration)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n \n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;\"\u003e\n      \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc; width:35%;\"\u003eItem\u003c\/th\u003e\n      \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eCloudlifter CL-X2\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003e1x Two-Channel Transformer Mic Activator with dual CineMag transformers, independent gain switches per channel, and Neutrik Gold XLR connectors\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color:#fafafa;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eDocumentation\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border:1px solid #ccc;\"\u003eWarranty card and product registration information\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cloud Microphones","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48514446229659,"sku":"CL-X2","price":399.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0646\/4031\/9643\/files\/CL-X2RightAngleUp_82d35228-15f9-4923-9f08-801abceb2e1a.png?v=1778170201","url":"https:\/\/proaudioreserve.com\/products\/cloudlifter-cl-x2-mic-activator","provider":"Pro Audio Reserve","version":"1.0","type":"link"}