Best Microphone Preamps of 2025

"I was hesitant to buy this for my Shure SM7B, especially after spending $400 on the mic itself. However, I'm so glad I decided to purchase the Cloudlifter! It provides a clean 25dB gain, allowing me to keep my Apollo Twin X at a more manageable 60% gain, rather than pushing it to 90%. The sound is fantastic, and the build quality is impressive. You definitely won't regret this investment!"

"I initially thought my $400 Shure SM7B and $100 mixer were enough, but I was wrong. After adding the Cloudlifter, the improvement was major! It was incredibly easy to use—just plug it in and go. This little device boosts my mic volume while minimizing background noise, making a night and day difference in quality. Although it's a bit pricey, it's absolutely worth it. If you're on the fence, just go for it!"

"After pairing the Cloudlifter CL-1 with my Shure mic and Roland VR-1HD, I was impressed by the significant gain boost it provided. The build quality is solid, and it's so convenient—essentially plug-and-play. However, I've noticed some audio distortion when my phone is nearby, which could be due to the Cloudlifter or my mic picking up signals. Overall, aside from that minor issue, I believe the Cloudlifter is a fantastic addition to my setup!"

"I had a Rode NTG-2 which was weak, but the FetHead completely resolved my high noise floor issues. Now, my NTG-2 sounds great with both the Tascam DR-60D MkII and the C100 Mk2. It's small, easy to use, and doesn't require an extra cable. Just be aware, it needs phantom power, but it doesn't forward it, which is crucial for condenser mics."

"This FetHead truly brings my SM7B to life with minimal added noise. It provides substantial gain and sounds clean. It's well-built and offers excellent value, particularly for those not in a professional setting."

"I struggled with the gain on my Shure SM57 until I found this FetHead. It was a game-changer! My voice is now clear with minimal hiss. The setup is neat, as it connects directly without needing an extra XLR cable. Overall, it’s a fantastic addition for boosting gain without compromising audio quality."

"I found this booster to be incredible—it really enhances my dynamic mic's performance. Suddenly, my vocals are crystal clear and full of life. I had to turn down the gain significantly on my interface, and the noise is now much easier to manage in post. It's a game changer for my recordings!"

"I was skeptical about using a mic booster, but after trying the CM-1, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s like my dynamic mic had a transformation. It picks up every nuance in my voice, making it perfect for my podcasts. For the price, it’s an amazing investment!"

"This little booster is like magic for my setup. My dynamic mic now sounds like it’s in a whole new league. The build quality is solid, and it’s compact enough not to take up much space. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their audio quality without spending a fortune!"

"I spent about $70 on Amazon, and the Xtuga preamp is functionally identical to the more expensive Rodywell brand. It’s easy to use and amplifies my Behringer ECM8000 well. Overall, I find it to be a useful and well-made piece of gear."

"So far, my experience has been perfect with no issues. It's a good product for the money. I really appreciate its performance."

"I initially thought I could use a mono plug, but it turns out a stereo plug is necessary. This small detail wasn't clear in the documentation and cost me days of troubleshooting effort."

“After researching low input levels with my Shure SM7B Mic and Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface, I decided to try a pre-amp booster. The Coda Stealth was the best option for the price, and it worked perfectly. It fits nicely on my boom arm, eliminating extra clutter on my desk. I can now lower the gain on my audio interface while getting much more input from the mic, without additional noise. I’m very pleased with this product and the price was less than the Cloudlifter I was considering.”

“I was struggling to get a decent sound while singing with a large band. I plugged this device into my small mixer, and the difference was immediate! It allowed me to compete with a 15-piece orchestra effortlessly, producing clear, high-fidelity sound. Everyone around me noticed the change, and I’m thrilled with the results. I’m even considering buying another unit for other vocalists in my bands!”

“I picked up a used Triton FetHead but didn’t notice any improvement. I decided to try the Coda Stealth after seeing it on sale. This product has exceeded my expectations, providing clean gain for my SM7B into a GoXLR Mini. The sound tests were solid, and I liked it so much that I bought a second one. At this price, it’s a no-brainer!”

"I wanted a little extra gain on my Shure MV7X for recording gameplay, and this preamp worked perfectly. The product quality feels solid, and the performance is impressive. I appreciate that it’s reasonably priced and outperforms more expensive options."

"With my Rodecaster Pro and two SM7Bs, I needed an in-line gain booster. Using the CODA 2-channel booster allows me to reduce gain settings significantly, giving more headroom. It sounds as good as the Cloudlifter CL-2 but costs $100 less. I highly recommend it!"

"I switched from a USB mic to an XLR setup with a Shure SM58 and Steinberg UR12 interface. The sound quality initially was underwhelming, but after using this preamp, it resolved my audio issues. The voice clarity is all I need, and I saved money by not opting for a Cloudlifter."

"I really enjoy doing direct recording, and this preamp is essential for my setup. It excels at smoothing out electric guitar inputs, preventing digital clipping. After trying many preamps, I can confidently say this one stands out. It naturally limits the signal without compression, providing a warm and transparent sound. Plus, it's built like a tank and super affordable. I love ART for creating tools that enhance my recordings."

"I don't use this as intended but as an instrument preamp for my double bass. It works perfectly without worrying about battery changes. Although it lacks EQ, the sound crew can handle that, and I get a nice, smooth output. I keep the gain control at null because using it lowers sound quality. Overall, it's user-friendly and meets my needs well—4 stars from me!"

"I purchased this preamp along with a microphone, and together they deliver a stunning sound. The ability to control input and output levels minimizes noise, and the phantom power for mics is a great feature. I’ve achieved incredible voice clarity and live music sound quality. I highly recommend this combination for anyone starting out in recording!"

"I use this device to enhance my voiceover audio for various projects. It's a fantastic value considering its capabilities. It offers phantom power, a clean, low-noise preamp, and excellent compression and limiting functions. The knobs click as you adjust them, making it easy to track settings across different projects. I connect it to my USB audio interface, and once the levels are set, it consistently delivers great sound. Although it's a bit bulky for my small studio, its flexibility and performance make it worth it."

"As a Twitch streamer, I've tried various software solutions but struggled with noise. After purchasing the dbx 286s, I was amazed by its performance. It provided a clean sound and worked perfectly as a pre-amp, noise gate, and compressor. The de-esser and frequency enhancers are incredible bonuses. My voice has never sounded better on my stream. For the price, having all these features in one device is unbeatable, and I highly recommend it for anyone in home broadcasting."

"I did extensive research before buying this unit, and it met my expectations perfectly. The pre-amp is strong and quiet, and the effects are user-friendly, making it easy to set up for any voice. The expander/gate effectively reduces room noise, making it ideal for smaller recording setups. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase."

"I was impressed by the build quality of the Rodyweil. It feels solid and delivers clean sound. I'm really pleased with my purchase!"

"I initially faced a compatibility issue, but the seller was very helpful in resolving it. Now, the preamp works great with my setup!"

"I love how this preamp boosts my mic's gain significantly without feedback. It's compact and fits perfectly in my recording setup!"

"I really appreciate the transparent sound quality of this preamp. The treble is airy and captures detail beautifully. I was surprised by the tube drive, which adds warmth and texture, especially to vocals."

"This preamp has made my recordings so much easier. The vocals are warm and smooth, even when I adjust EQ settings. I no longer struggle to achieve the quality I want, and it's loud enough to bring out the best in my microphone."

"I bought this to enhance my Shure mic for radio use, and it works perfectly. I finally have plenty of boost and great sound quality in my setup."