Cheap Phantom Power Supply?

[edwardiii]

I was saving up $$ to get a decent compressor when I happened upon a good deal on an MXL 990. So I caved and picked it up.

Problem - I didn't realize my 4 track lacks phantom power (duh). So now I've got a condenser mic I can't use.

At some point I'll pick up a compressor that might have phantom power (if I get an RNC I'm out of luck). Before that happens, are there any < $20 phantom power supply options?

 

[Raw-Tracks]

ART has a couple fairly cheap phantom power supplies. Less than $20? I don't think so, but very close.

Compressor don't have phantom power supplies. Mic Preamps have phantom power supplies. Sometime a mic pre and a compressor will be combined into one piece of gear. But it's the mic preamp that has the phantom.

 

[edwardiii]

Thanks, Eric. Yeah, I've been looking at a combined mic pre/comp, the RNC is the only stand-alone compressor I've been looking at.

Phantom power supplies all seem to be around $40. At that price I might be better off getting a cheap Behringer or ART pre. At least I'd get something besides just a power supply.

 

[crazydoc]

Here's a project from Harvey - about as cheap as it gets (if you have minimal electronic skills.) I can't find the original post.
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showpost.php?p=961540&postcount=3

 

[edwardiii]

Hey, that's interesting stuff. Unfortunately my electronic skills are not even minimal - no soldering gun or loose wire hanging around the place. But it's good to have a recipe for a phantom power supply just in case I ever have to make like MacGyver...

 

[MadAudio]

The cheap ART pre's are pretty crappy, except for maybe the V3.

 

[edwardiii]

I've heard that swapping out the tubes on an ART pre can improve the sound to a reasonable level.

 

[bgavin]

Rolls makes the Phantom Hex +48v supply that is rack mounted. I bought one on the cheap from eBay, and it is a nice rig. Provides lots of current for (6) channels. The phantom is global, i.e. one switch controls on/off to all six channels.

 

[thane1200]

Here's a project from Harvey - about as cheap as it gets (if you have minimal electronic skills.) I can't find the original post.
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showpost.php?p=961540&postcount=3

*Hits print* That's awesome and super simple. I'm totally doing that next week. I already had more phaom power than the mics that require it, but damn, that's cool!

 

[fateswebb]

you could always get a mic like my audio-technica which allows you to use a doubleA battery to provide the power.

I dont use the battery, since I have a phantom powered audio interface. but it is nice to know I can still use my mic if I am in a situation where I dont have this thing.

FatesWebb