Is Phantom voltage seen and taken by condenser mic only to the extent it needs it?

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EMC

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I've seen posts on the safety of phantom power in relation to dynamic vs. condenser mics. But this relates to whether a condenser mic could be damaged based on certain specs. I have a condenser mic rated up to 12v. Normally it is used for devices with plug-in power, like a minidisc recorder. I want to plug into equipment (a mixer or amp) that provides 15v or 48v phantom power at a balanced XLR input. The mic ends in a 1/8" plug and I have an adapter that changes it into an XLR connection. Some microphone pros are telling me that, with phantom power, the mic will only see and take what it needs and will not be damaged. Others are saying damage will occur. Before knowing any better, I used this mic with 15v phantom power, two hours at a time, twice, and it still works fine. Some are saying the mic would have fried immediately if were going to fail. Others say, not necessarily, and it could still get damaged. Anyone have an answer? Is there some way to make the mic compatible with phantom power, if necessary? Thanks! - Eliott
 
AFIK...with Volts...it's usually a straight supply situation. IOW...you get what is being given to you.
With Amps/current...the device draws what it needs.


Does that mean 48V Phantom Power will fry a mic that wants 15V Phantom...???
The mic would need to have some built in voltage regulator to keep it at 15V.
I would ask the mic's manufacturer.
 
Could be a query for mshilarious, who seems to know everything about this newfandangled 'lectricity stuff... perhaps try asking in the Mic forum if you're unsure...
 
Armistice said:
Could be a query for mshilarious, who seems to know everything about this newfandangled 'lectricity stuff... perhaps try asking in the Mic forum if you're unsure...
Click to expand...

CORRECTION ....... msHiliarious will only answer if you post your question in the cave for now.



Is this a video camera microphone or something similar?
 
Odds are tripling the input voltage will cause damage. All else being equal, increasing voltage increases current which also means an increase in power. Power, measured in watts, means heat, and heat burns things when there's too much of it. Then again, phantom is only specced to provide something like 14mA, so maybe you'll get lucky.

But that's the least of your challenges. You have to figure out how to interface a consumer grade unbalanced (and probably stereo) output on a 1/8th connector with a professional grade balanced mono mic input while passing phantom. I bet you could get a part time minimum wage job and earn the money to buy a proper mic in less time and with less stress.
 
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moresound said:
CORRECTION ....... msHiliarious will only answer if you post your question in the cave for now.
Click to expand...

This would mean that the noob will need to clarify his stance on the Muslim v. Christian v. Jew v. atheist issue, learn the code for untypable swear words, and venture an opinion on whether Obama is dong a good job or not... :eek:

Be easier to buy a new microphone... :laughings:
 
Armistice said:
This would mean that the noob will need to clarify his stance on the Muslim v. Christian v. Jew v. atheist issue, learn the code for untypable swear words, and venture an opinion on whether Obama is dong a good job or not... :eek:

Be easier to buy a new microphone... :laughings:
Click to expand...

HA guess your right Armistice.
Maybe one day he come back out of the cave.
 
Phantom power was originally specified at 48V - this is the standard.

The standard was later expanded to include 24V and 12V phantom.

A microphone will normally be specofied as 48V +4V or as 12-48V +4V or as 9-52V.

This normally means that every mic. will run from 48V, but some will work from lower voltages as well, if the equipment can't supply 48V.

It is very rare for a microphone to be specified with a lower maximum voltage and those that are, are normally specialist ones.

Are you sure that the mic. does not need 12V T-power? This is a different. spec. that is incompatible with phantom. But you can get converters that take in 48V phantom and output 12V T-power to power the mic.

I hope this helps.
 
Phantom voltage overpowering mic -- solution

Thanks for everyone's input on this. This condenser mic is indeed a consumer type for use with plug-in power, but it is the best mic I've found for my application. The mic is definitely rated for a maximum of 12 volts. My understanding now is that I was lucky not to damage it with 15v phantom power from the amp, probably because the mic manufacturer built in enough room for error. But I don't want to push my luck. One solution I've found is to feed the mic first into a battery power module (9 or 12v maximum), which will only give the mic the voltage it needs regardless of excess phantom power further down the line. I found what I need at a place (online) called Sound Professionals, which is where I bought the mic many years ago. I have to say, their customer service is amazing... I have asked them dozens of questions!

Eliott
 
bouldersoundguy said:
The mic is evidently a consumer product designed for recorders of the cassette/DAT/minidisc variety that use Plug-in Power (3-5V).
Click to expand...

Not necessarily - he clearly said 12V phantom - plug-in power is definitely *not* phantom and is normally only 5-9V.
 
EMC said:
Thanks for everyone's input on this. This condenser mic is indeed a consumer type for use with plug-in power, but it is the best mic I've found for my application. The mic is definitely rated for a maximum of 12 volts. My understanding now is that I was lucky not to damage it with 15v phantom power from the amp, probably because the mic manufacturer built in enough room for error. But I don't want to push my luck. One solution I've found is to feed the mic first into a battery power module (9 or 12v maximum), which will only give the mic the voltage it needs regardless of excess phantom power further down the line. I found what I need at a place (online) called Sound Professionals, which is where I bought the mic many years ago. I have to say, their customer service is amazing... I have asked them dozens of questions!

Eliott
Click to expand...

OK - plug-in power is *very* different from phantom power.

Plug-in power is unbalanced and relies on blocking capacitors (a bit like the consumer version of T-power in a way, but different).

Glad you sorted it out - but it's helpful to get the terminology correct, because if you don't you can end up with the wrong advice and damage the equipment.
 
Armistice said:
This would mean that the noob will need to clarify his stance on the Muslim v. Christian v. Jew v. atheist issue, learn the code for untypable swear words, and venture an opinion on whether Obama is dong a good job or not... :eek:

Be easier to buy a new microphone... :laughings:
Click to expand...

Easy: B, you can't read it cause it's a secret, absolutely terrible. Now can I have my new microphone and the secrets of electricity?

I've been using my supposedly 15V NT5s for years with 48V phantom power. I just thought everything either got 48V or nothing, or came with it's own power supply like the NTK.
 
John Willett said:
OK - plug-in power is *very* different from phantom power.

Plug-in power is unbalanced and relies on blocking capacitors (a bit like the consumer version of T-power in a way, but different).

Glad you sorted it out - but it's helpful to get the terminology correct, because if you don't you can end up with the wrong advice and damage the equipment.
Click to expand...

I think he had that covered in the first post:

EMC said:
Normally it is used for devices with plug-in power, like a minidisc recorder...The mic ends in a 1/8" plug and I have an adapter that changes it into an XLR connection.
Click to expand...
 
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