What is a Fethead? And why might you need one?

I assume that many readers of this blog may have an interest in microphones and their various types and uses, but for the uninitiated, a Fethead is an easy way to keep stress and noise out of the equation when it comes to recording. Designed for use with vintage ribbon microphones and dynamic microphones, a Fethead can do two different things. It is described as being a Pre-Amplifier, although it can also be used as a safety net for your old microphone. It works by taking a 48 volt phantom power signal, which is not typically used with dynamic microphones, and it turns it into a clean 27 decibel gain boost, which doesn't introduce any static or noise into the recording, as well as keeping the interface stress free. Of course, microphone preamps have existed for years, but the Fethead is different, as it doesn't require extra anything. Tritionaudio have created the Fethead as a solution to clutter, as if you were to install it, it just plugs into the XLR port on the end of your microphone, and acts as an inline passthrough, allowing it to be set up with just one cable. An example of the difference can be heard through a Shure SM58 dynamic microphone, being recorded through a Focusrite Scarlett Solo at 48000 Hz. The audio clip below compares the SM58 recorded with the gain knob on the interface at the 12 'o clock position with and without the Fethead.

As demonstrated in the audio clip and also visible in the waveform, speech at the same volume is boosted by around 27 decibels, making recording much easier to monitor and equalize. The Fethead is available to purchase on amazon, for around £70