Polsen Inline XLR Single-Channel Mic Preamp

I was using a dynamic mic with a Focusrite Scarlet 4i4 interface to record the vocal portion of a podcast, and I had to turn the Scarlet's gain up all the way to hear the microphone, and it was adding all kinds of crud to the signal. It sounded hissy and brittle. I plugged this device into the mic, and the mic cable into this device, and the problem was solved. I could turn the gain level down to about half for a good, strong and clean signal to the Scarlet. This simple mic preamp did the trick.

I am an online content creator and live streamer. Being on a tight budget, I've always used a cheap condenser microphone with a phantom power source because its all I could afford. It did the job but I was never really satisfied with the sound...it sounded tinny and almost like you were talking through a toilet paper tube. I saved up and purchased a Rode Podmic dynamic microphone based on countless glowing reviews of the mic. I cannot afford a premium mic like the Shure SM7B or Electro-voice mics; the Podmic was at the top of my budgeted price range. I was unfamiliar with dynamic mics and couldn't get much volume out of it. I spoke with customer support from a different website and they told me I needed the .150 Cloudlifter. I didn't have that much to spend and did some research. Cloudlifter bills itself as a mic activator but in all reality it's just an inline preamp. Virtually all other brands of inline mic preamps are on backorder. The Polsen preamp was the only one like it that was in stock in the .50 and under price range. I received it today and gave it a go....WOW...this thing works great! I can turn all my gains back down because this produces such a warm and clear sound from my new Rode mic and the volume is right in the sweet spot. This does require a phantom power source and thankfully I already had one. Your mic interface may provide phantom power or it may not but if it does then you won't need to add one to your setup. DO NOT SPEND .150 ON A CLOUDLIFTER IF YOU HAVE A DYNAMIC MIC AND NEED A PREAMP. I am 110% satisfied with the Polsen inline preamp and glad I took a shot at it. There's not a lot of reviews of this product online so I'm hoping this review helps out others whom may be in the same situation as me. If your dynamic mic needs a preamp or activator, then look no further. Save your money because this does the trick at a much more affordable price. Note: After using for a few days now, my only complaint is that the preamp (in my setup) has to plug directly into the microphone. It clicks in and appears to be snug and tight but will wiggle its way loose from the mic every once in a while. I rigged up somewhat of a brace to support the preamp so it won't fall out of my mic again. Another note: My chat has made numerous compliments about how great my new mic sounds....saying it's clear and has much more volume (easier to hear). Thank you for such a great price on a product which most places charge a LOT more for. (This is my honest review. I did not receive the product in return for posting a review. I bought it with my own money...and you should too!)

The .30 preamps have noise and the good ones are .100 and up. This is perfectly placed. It's worth the .50, for sure. I thought 30dB gain was too much, but both the PC interface and the DAW software benefitted from tweaking their gain down. MY SE V7 is an amazing voiceover mic now, and would be a fantastic podcaster mic.

TO be clear, I was sent one of these for my honest and unbiased review..........that being said...there is no reason to pay more. This is constantly on sale at 35, 40 bucks and it is clean and does exactly what it is supposed to do. If only people would get off the cloudlifter bandwagon. The cloudlifter is CRIMINALLY overpriced when you have options like this on the market. And its not JUST this that is cheaper and possible AS good...there are more...but this is my pick considering it is seemingly always available (unlike others) and it is never overpriced. Well done!