For some reason this making the noise floor and the mic input louder, any idea why?

The TRITON AUDIO FetHead In-Line Microphone Preamp boosts a microphone's output by over 20 dB (with 48 V phantom power applied). It is designed to help ribbon microphones and other low output mics provide sufficient input levels to your mixer or external mic preamp to keep from the necessity of running them at a too high -- thus noisy -- level. For instance, in one of my setups I use a FetHead in line with a Shure SM7B mic and feed them into a Focusrite Scarlett Solo USB Audio Interface with built-in mic preamp. Without the FetHead, I must crank the audio interface preamp input gain wide open to obtain sufficient recording levels. This produces objectionable noise. With theFetHead in line, only half gain is needed from the preamp and practically no noise is generated. The same holds true when I am using one of my ribbon mics. Turning the preamp or mixer's mic input gain down when using the FetHead (which should be thought of as an "auxiliary" preamp), should solve your problem. It sounds as if your FetHead is working as designed.

Why does it say it’s for condenser microphones in the description but shows dynamic mics in the pictures?

The Fethead Phantom is for condenser microphones because it supplies phantom power to condenser mics that need it. The other version of this product, just a plain Fethead, does not supply 48 V. That is the version you would use for dynamic or ribbon mics. Though it may be possible for some microphones to use either one, I would not recommend it. Use the version of the Fethead that is intended for your particular type of microphone, condenser or dynamic. I have both, and I recommend both of them for the appropriate type of microphone. They do a really good job of adding gain with very little to no noise.

I have a scarlett 2i2 3rd gen. should i use the phantom power with the microphone and the pre-amp? microphone: shure sm7b

When using the Triton FetHead inline preamp to boost the low output from a Shure SM7b (or other dynamic mic), the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2's phantom power should be turned ON. This is to power the FetHead. The device will not operate without the phantom power. The FetHead, though, blocks the voltage from the microphone itself to avoid damage to certain microphones (some ribbon mics, for instance). Condenser mics (primarily studio mics) require phantom power themselves, but normally do not require supplemental preamps such as the FetHead or Cloudlifter.

Fethead safe for use with an R88 Ribbon?

I use mine to power 2 Ribbon mics with no problems. The Fethead is Phantom powered from your interface/preamp so be sure to have Phantom power off when connecting and disconnecting.

Package Type	Box
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Voltage	24 Volts
Specification Met	Iec 61938, Rohs, Weee
Material Type	Metal
Item Dimensions	7.48 x 4.13 x 1.18 inches

Triton Audio FetHead in-Line Microphone Preamp

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