Microphone cable and phantom power problem

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jaz49

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This is a real newbie question, but I need to know if phantom power will only work with a cable that is XLR on both ends. Up to now, I've been recording with a dynamic mic and a cable that is XLR(female) on the mic end and 1/4 in on the interface end(male). I recently purchased a cheap condenser mic which needs phantom power from my interface(which has 48 volts). Will I need a mic cable that's XLR on BOTH ends for the phantom power to work? I just tried the condenser mic with my present cable and there is no signal at all, so I'm assuming it's not getting any power thru the 1/4 plug. Am I correct? or is the mic defective? (it's a naiant MH-1... I think the model is)
http://www.soundclick.com/lejaz

Thanks
 
you are correct. as far as i know you need an xlr plug in order to take advantage of the phantom power preamp.
 
Thanks much for the reply. I will be picking up a new cable on Fri. BTW, is the quality of the cable of critical importance to the quality of the audio, or will a Radio Shack cable do the job?
 
Nicole is correct, but I'm bored so I'll elaborate :)

The reason you need a standard mic cable with male & female XLR connections on respective ends is because the phantom power is almost always only supplied to the microphone input (the XLR input) on the preamp. 1/4" TRS jacks tend to usually take line-level signals, so there is no need for phantom, and in some cases it would damage equipment plugged in.

The electricity itself could travel through any connector, so it isn't the 1/4" jack on the cable's fault that it doesn't transmit phantom power, it just so happens that the preamp will not send phantom out that 1/4" input.
 
A Rat Shack cable will suffice. The mic has way more to do with the sound than the cable does.
 
cues is still right even with the combo jack...
 
dementedchord said:
cues is still right even with the combo jack...
Click to expand...

Farview said:
Yes, but the xlr part is what will have the phantom. The Radio Shack cable will work, but it will fall apart faster than a normal cheap cable from a musical instrument store and it won't be that much cheaper.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the backup!

Might want to check out redco.com for some good, custom made cables on the cheap :D
 
Thanks much for the replies! I found some good cables on ebay for only a little more than Radio Shack...around 20 dollars plus shipping...Mogami and Canare.
 
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