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Foo-bu
New member
what exactly is phantom power. i understand that it requres another source for power, but what does this source have to be?
esactun
New member
Greetings, Foo-bu! 
Phantom power is the power needed to charge the capsule of a condenser mic. The overwhelming majority of mixers and mic pres supply this power, right through the same XLR cord as your mic signal. Phantom power is usually 48 volts, but not always.
Some condensers get their phantom power from batteries. And electret condensers don't need phantom power at all, as the capsule has a (more or less) permanent charge by design.
I'm sure other folks here will fill you in with more details.
Phantom power is the power needed to charge the capsule of a condenser mic. The overwhelming majority of mixers and mic pres supply this power, right through the same XLR cord as your mic signal. Phantom power is usually 48 volts, but not always.
Some condensers get their phantom power from batteries. And electret condensers don't need phantom power at all, as the capsule has a (more or less) permanent charge by design.
I'm sure other folks here will fill you in with more details.
S
sjjohnston
New member
That's pretty much right. A few notes:
"Phantom power" (at least as I've heard the term used) refers specifically to the particular method of providing power by providing an equal +48 volts (across 6.8 kohms) on the two legs of a balanced line. That is, the term really refers to the particular method of supplying the power, rather than what the power is being used for.
As noted, "true" (non-electret) condensors need power to charge their capsules. They commonly get it from phantom power.
Condensor mics (both electret and "true") typically also require power for the preamplifier that's in the mic. The signal from the capsule is very small (and the wrong impedance), and needs to be amplified before it's sent down the mic cord. They often get this from phantom power, but not always. Many electret mics use batteries for this power. Tube mics (the preamplifier in the mic uses a tube) typically require their own special power supply, in place of phantom power.
There's also at least one ribbon mic (I think one of the newer Royer models, if I remember correctly) which has a preamplifier in the mic body, and uses phantom power for it.
There are some devices other than mics which use phantom power, too. For example, some active direct boxes are capable of being powerd with phantom power. I believe the Sansamp Bass Driver (which, so far as I understand it, is an active direct box with some signal-modifying / distortion circuitry in it) can use phantom power or a wall wart.
"Phantom power" (at least as I've heard the term used) refers specifically to the particular method of providing power by providing an equal +48 volts (across 6.8 kohms) on the two legs of a balanced line. That is, the term really refers to the particular method of supplying the power, rather than what the power is being used for.
As noted, "true" (non-electret) condensors need power to charge their capsules. They commonly get it from phantom power.
Condensor mics (both electret and "true") typically also require power for the preamplifier that's in the mic. The signal from the capsule is very small (and the wrong impedance), and needs to be amplified before it's sent down the mic cord. They often get this from phantom power, but not always. Many electret mics use batteries for this power. Tube mics (the preamplifier in the mic uses a tube) typically require their own special power supply, in place of phantom power.
There's also at least one ribbon mic (I think one of the newer Royer models, if I remember correctly) which has a preamplifier in the mic body, and uses phantom power for it.
There are some devices other than mics which use phantom power, too. For example, some active direct boxes are capable of being powerd with phantom power. I believe the Sansamp Bass Driver (which, so far as I understand it, is an active direct box with some signal-modifying / distortion circuitry in it) can use phantom power or a wall wart.
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Foo-bu
New member
so if i plug the mics that require phantom power into my mixer which is plugged into the wall, my mics will work?
T
The Green Hornet
New member
Yo FooBuooy:
Does your mixer/board have phantom power? Do your mics require phantom power? If so, then your mics will work.
Also, you can contact the Phantom on Skull Island for a power supply.
[I couldn't resist.]
Green Hornet
Does your mixer/board have phantom power? Do your mics require phantom power? If so, then your mics will work.
Also, you can contact the Phantom on Skull Island for a power supply.
[I couldn't resist.]
Green Hornet
F
Foo-bu
New member
my mixer just uses dc adapter
Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
If your mixer doesn't say on it somewhere "PHANTOM POWER" with a switch to turn it off and on, you don't have it.
R
Richard Monroe
Well-known member
Foobu- usually the switch on the mixer just says "48v"-Richie