SE ELECTRONICS - Dynamite Active in-Line Preamp

Briefly, I became aware of “HEIL” a few years ago having bought two Heil’s Air Transformer studio quality loudspeakers, whose sound is unparalleled. Therefor, as HEIL has been producing legendary loud speakers, let see if HEIL could also develop the opposite end of the audio channel, the Microphone. As a Faculty member of a 30,000+ student, State of Florida University, FAU, I rarely have time to write product reviews. My exception is for true Excellence, the valedictorian of products. Today, I produce daily, morning HDTV 90 minute pod-casts on a variety of technology topics, occasionally drifting to “Current Events.”In sum, HEIL PR-40B Microphone, is truly one of the best Cardioid Microphones available. Frequency response is pure and clean, particularly at the low-end of the audio spectrum. If you are looking for truly Deep, Clear Voiced Podcasting, with superior rejection of side & rear distractions, this may be a choice to consider. I have tested and own the best from EV, SHURE to SENNHEISER, where would you believe, HEIL clearly out-performs them all. If you deserve the Heil-PR40B (XLR fitted) microphone, you may likely be attaching it to a RODE Podcaster Pro-II or RODE’s new Podcaster-DUO, a mobile audio production sound-board, both offering phantom 48v power, coupled to SE Electronics DM1 in line 28db amplification, the subject of this review.Accordingly, SE-Electronics delivers their “in-line” DYNAMITE DM1 Class-A amplifier, for Dynamic Microphone in-line pre-amplification; the DM1 delivers truly “Lossless, Flat” preamplification of the entire 10-100,000 Hz audio spectrum, virtually eliminating line losses. Quality Dynamic microphones generally need an in-line 28db boost in signal amplitude, utilizing true Class-A amplifier technologies, this in-line signal boost, avoids over-pushing the RODE sound-board, keeping its attenuation in the mid-range of its capability, with long or short cable runs. Microphone Developers like Bob Heil, have a priority of delivering excellent sound reproduction for the entire listening range of the human Ear. Accordingly, Dynamic Microphones need a little help with signal attenuation; This is where SE-Electronics delivers their “in-line” DYNAMITE DM1 Class-A amplifier, fitting into the Audio Chain. We own four of these inline amplifiers for each of our 4 sound sources.2/25/25 JimW.

Using this with the Shure SM7B and even though I have an interface with enough of a preamp to handle that mic, this adds that extra gain so your interface doesn't need to push hard at all. It's clean gain too which I'm really happy about. It's been great for voice and vocals.Love it's ease of use too: turn on phantom power and plug it inline and you're done.Well done. Very well done.

A Shure WH20 can work directly with a Pyle XLR to USB (PDUSBPP10) adapter with one caveat: the build-in mic monitor will not work. This is because the monitor taps the mic input before the digitally (software) controlled preamp, and the signal from the WH20 is not enough to be heard via the monitor feature of the Pyle XLR to USB adapter.Without the Dynamite, the Pyle adapter needs to maximize the mic gain (0db) to get a decent recording. With the Dynamite, the digitally controlled preamp only needs to be at -34db to get a very clear input from the WH20. The monitor feature of the Pyle adapter works great. I can put the mic/computer balance right in the middle, and turn the headphone dial at about 8:30 (very low setting) and get a good balance between my own voice via the WH20 and whatever is coming from the computer.The Dynamite itself has no detectable noise or distortion. I am not an audiophile, just a practical person using this set up for Zoom meetings, recorded demonstrations and music listening. I did watch many videos that test and evaluate the Dynamite, I suggest that you do the same before reaching your own conclusion.

I've tied the cloud lifter and this product now (3 months of use). I am using the SE1 with a Shure SM7B. The output is clean and noiseless from my use. My signal chain is SM7B > SE1 > Focusrite Clarett 8PRE > Logic Pro.There is no color added through this line preamp. As with anything, you will need to EQ whatever you are micing (in this case vocals). It adds the gain needed to keep the preamp noise low. Love it and it's worth the investment.Additional Pros: Much smaller than other options, sturdy build, portable and sounds great (or actually adds no sound at all :) )!Cons: Wish it came with a carrying case.

I use a RODE Podmic with a Scarlett Solo 3rd gen, mostly for use with discord. I was having issues with my mic making crackling/humming noises, so I bought this product. It totally fixed that issue and even made my mic sound better, since I no longer have to keep it at max gain.But, it does stick out quite a few inches behind my mic which is kind of annoying. If you're willing to spend a little more money to avoid this (about $50 at time of this review) you should get the Cloudlifter CL-1. But, then you have to buy an extra XLR cable as well, so it's a tradeoff regardless. Either way, pretty happy with this product and definitely recommend if you're having the same issues with a similar setup!

My mixer is a bit noisy so I was looking for a relatively inexpensive way to skip the noise when using my sm58. This device worked very well - just plug in, turn on phantom power, and start raising the gain on the mixer (but nowhere near as much as would have been required without the se dm1). My only quibble is that this device makes xlr connections a bit clumsier, since it's the connector is now a bit heavier and bulkier. That's not a surprise at all since this device is connected inline, but I underestimated how much I would notice this when connected. I also connected this device to a portable recorder and the recorder tips over due to the weight of the se dm1.