Klark Teknik MIC BOOSTER CT 1 Compact Dynamic Microphone Booster with Preamp

Bought one of these on a suggestion from Bark at Obscure Mics. It works as well as any of the "name brand" mic gain boosters that cost 2-4x as much. I use it with a a Shure SM7b, a notoriously gain-hungry microphone, and it does just fine. No audible noise and I really like the fact that it's much more compact and easier to work into tight spaces. Klark Teknik has been a seriously underrated brand for years. This is a hidden gem more folks need to know about. It just works, and at a great price.

I have been using the CT 1 for two months in my home studio with excellent results. My signal chain is: SM57 > Mic Booster CT 1 > no-name XLR > MBox 2 Mini > USB port on laptop PC > Audacity. My measurement tools are just my own ears. In practical terms, the input signal is noticeably higher, and I do not detect any changes in tone coloration nor added noise. My application is voice work for corporate training content and podcasting. The attached image my shows results using the above signal chain, 48v phantom power, input gain set to 3:00, and speaking [silence] "the red fox jumped over the lazy dog" [silence]. Track 1 is the SM57 only. Track 2 is the SM57 + CT 1. Let your eyes be the judge!The build quality is good enough for my home studio use. Fitment is comfortably tight/secure. This simple device has elevated the quality of my recordings using my existing gear with no learning curve.

I have a vintage Shure SM5B microphone. It is a wonderful microphone and was a staple big radio stations in the late 70s and 80s. It does have a very low output so if using it with broadcast quality gear is fine, but if you want to use it with your computer interface, this is the best way to go. It’s reasonably priced very quiet and hassle free I say give it a try I did and I’m damn happy.

The amplifier allows me to lower my recorders input, thus reducing the noise floor.The unit is solid. Things to consider: Where do you put it.When attached to the microphone it adds weight, length and a moment arm to the connection.I would recommend leaving it on the stand when used on the microphone.The form factor of the pre-amp prevents it being plugged directly into most mixers or recorders.Perhaps a short patch cable from the mixer would be the way to go if you wish the microphone to be mobile. Performance is satisfactory. I use it with a Tascam DR40's phantom power.

The build quality is extremely good. Easy to setup and use. Didn't know I needed one until I did.

This thing was on back order when I purchased it, the price was outstanding and product had great reviews so I waited. I've gotten a new audio interface and cables thinking they were the issue, until finally I replaced my smb7 mic thinking well I guess it's the mic... while all along it was this piece of garbage. I wanted to love this thing! I honestly think it even messed one of my mics up... I dont know if it's possible but before I got this thing my AKG had a different sound to it, it now has an awful sound to it and is unusable. I ended up wasting so much more money trying to use this booster. My advice.. buy more expensive one.

I bought this unit due to the compact size thinking it may be a nice portable solution for field recording with some dynamic microphones that require higher gain. It was so cheap it was almost an afterthought. It took several weeks for me to receive it amid the current CCP viral pandemic.It appears well made out of aluminum and seems like a higher quality mass produced product. It is heavy, had nice packaging, solid appearing connectors that fit my Mogami cables (clicked in securely), and a clean smooth finish! A cheap looking serial number sticker is affixed to the unit - it was applied crooked and really detracts from an otherwise very nice looking product. This should have been laser etched in my opinion.As to performance, I tried it on a couple of microphones and compared it to my other microphone pre-preamplifiers (Cloudlifter CL-1 & Cathedral Pipes Durham). I found the noise levels all very low but both the CL-1 and Durham required less preamp gain compared to the Klark Teknik unit in order to reach similar loudness levels. I was a little surprised as it was noticeable. I am unsure if this is unique to my unit or the couple of microphones tested so I plan to spend some additional time using the unit and update the review if I find variation with other microphones.

Works great for boosting lower output dynamic mics. Must be used on an input that can provide 48VDC (phantom). Don't notice nay difference ins sound other than 20+dB more of gain. I now have a couple of these plus a dual unit form Klark Teknik.