Phantom power on Dynamic mic?

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Palmer

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Hi, I am having a problem here.... I am planning on recording the drums and I own the Line6 Toneport Ux8 interface, and the Audix FP-7 mikes. On my interface there are 8 microphone line inputs, and the first 4 inputs (which I have dynamic mikes for my snare,and 3 toms hooked up to) have a phantom power option, and the last 4 have a phantom power option. BUT, I need to use phantom power for my 2 condenser overhead mikes and if I turn phantom power on for the last 4 inputs the bass mic will be using phantom power....

The bottom line I want to know is Will Phantom power on a dynamic microphone affect the dynamic mic?

Thanks:)
 
I don't think it should. I believe only ribbon mics can be damaged by phantom power
 
It's not gonna do anything to your dynamics.
Although, I looked this up a few years ago on Shure's site and when this was asked, they really didn't have a definitive answer.
Generally regarded tho, that you'll be fine.
:drunk:
 
Here's the problem:

Most new dynamic and ribbon mics are wired as "balanced output" - with the positive signal going to Pin 2 of the XLR, the negative signal going to Pin 3, and the shield and the mic housing tied to Pin 1 of the XLR. If the mic is wired like that, no problems with phantom power (because the ribbon or voice coil only sees the same 48 volt signal on both sides, and it doesn't have the ground to complete the circuit). No harm, no foul.

But, a few dynamics and ribbons were wired as "unbalanced", with Pin 1 and Pin 3 tied together. When you hook that type of mic up to a circuit that has phantom power, the ribbon (or voice coil) is simply turned into a fuse - and not a very big one at that. The result is the ribbon or voice coil gets fried.

So as long as either side of the ribbon or voice coil isn't tied to Pin 1, or the case, you're perfectly safe in using a dynamic or ribbon mic with a phantom power circuit. Here's a picture:
PHANTOM.webp
The "+" output (plus/positive) signal of the mic diaphragm is usually connected to Pin 2 of the XLR, while the "-" output (minus/negative) signal of the mic diaphragm is usually connected to Pin 3 of the XLR. The "neutral" wire (common/shield/ground) is connected to Pin 1 of the XLR. It's sometimes also called the "cold wire" but that's usually in a two wire setup, where one side of the diaphragm is grounded.

Any of this making sense to you?
 
Last edited:
I've read 1/4" plugs don't send phantom power, so an XLR to 1/4" cable for the dynamics should be okay.
 
buzzard bass said:
I've read 1/4" plugs don't send phantom power, so an XLR to 1/4" cable for the dynamics should be okay.
Click to expand...

While a 1/4" TS plug won't pass phantom power, a 1/4" TRS will.

Also, while the XLR inputs on the Line 6 Toneport Ux8 have preamps, the 1/4" inputs are line inputs, and don't have preamps.

But you shouldn't have any problem if phantom power is going to the Audix dynamic mics...
 
Any modern dynamic mic should be fine. I've been randomly hooking them up to phantom power for years.:o

Just be very careful if you ever use ribbon mics. Never hook these up to phantom power unless it specifically states you can by the manufacturer.
 
bdenton said:
While a 1/4" TS plug won't pass phantom power, a 1/4" TRS will.

Also, while the XLR inputs on the Line 6 Toneport Ux8 have preamps, the 1/4" inputs are line inputs, and don't have preamps.

But you shouldn't have any problem if phantom power is going to the Audix dynamic mics...
Click to expand...

That is a good bit of info there my san.
 
Harvey Gerst said:
Here's the problem:

Most new dynamic and ribbon mics are wired as "balanced output" - with the positive signal going to Pin 2 of the XLR, the negative signal going to Pin 3, and the shield and the mic housing tied to Pin 1 of the XLR. If the mic is wired like that, no problems with phantom power (because the ribbon or voice coil only sees the same 48 volt signal on both sides, and it doesn't have the ground to complete the circuit). No harm, no foul.

But, a few dynamics and ribbons were wired as "unbalanced", with Pin 1 and Pin 3 tied together. When you hook that type of mic up to a circuit that has phantom power, the ribbon (or voice coil) is simply turned into a fuse - and not a very big one at that. The result is the ribbon or voice coil gets fried.

So as long as either side of the ribbon or voice coil isn't tied to Pin 1, or the case, you're perfectly safe in using a dynamic or ribbon mic with a phantom power circuit. Here's a picture:
View attachment 64016
The "+" output (plus/positive) signal of the mic diaphragm is usually connected to Pin 2 of the XLR, while the "-" output (minus/negative) signal of the mic diaphragm is usually connected to Pin 3 of the XLR. The "neutral" wire (common/shield/ground) is connected to Pin 1 of the XLR. It's sometimes also called the "cold wire" but that's usually in a two wire setup, where one side of the diaphragm is grounded.

Any of this making sense to you?
Click to expand...
so does that mean that all you gotta do is ckeck to see if two pins are bridged?
As long as no 2 pins are tied together is it safe regardless of which pins the wires are hooked to?
 
Lt. Bob said:
so does that mean that all you gotta do is ckeck to see if two pins are bridged?
As long as no 2 pins are tied together is it safe regardless of which pins the wires are hooked to?
Click to expand...

That's what I gathered from it.

(g'mornin Lt ;) )
 
As long as Pin 1 is connected to the shield/case (and neither of the other two pins are tied to it), you should be safe.
 
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