Using the Phantom Power option with multiple mic's

  • Thread starter Thread starter habanero
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habanero

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I am trying to figure out my recording situation, and how to accomplish what I am looking for.

I have a Tascam US-600 audio interface, and a Sennheiser e609 mic, which is dynamic, and does not require Phantom Power.

I am going to trade in my ribbon mic today for something like the MXL CR-24, which requires Phantom Power.

I will usually either use the e609 to record my guitar/bass/blues harp cabs, OR the MXL CR-24 to record vocals and/or acoustic guitar.

Until I can afford a more proper setup, I would like to use this equipment to mic my acoustic drums. I have read about all of these mic's being used to record acoustic drums, although I am sure they are not always the best options.

My question is how will I run all 3 mic's at the same time on my drum set through the same audio interface, if 2 mics require Phantom Power, and 1 does not. My interface has 1 phantom power switch, and I am assuming that when you turn it on, it provides phantom power to ALL XLR inputs.

If I use Phantom Power on my e609, will it damage it, or otherwise mess with its functioning?

Is there a cheap fix (like $10 adapter) to block the phantom power on an input?
 
So long as your leads are sound, you don't need to worry about phantom power going to dynamic mikes.

You don't need a 'cheap fix'.
 
yep ....... the mics that need it will use it ..... the others will 'ignore' it.
 
Yup. Barring faulty wiring in your XLR cables, dynamic mics are absolutely fine connected up to a phantom power source. The only time I've ever had a problem was when somebody plugged an unbalanced £3 mic into one of my XLR leads via an adaptor.

(If you want a bit of theory, phantom power places the same DC voltage on both signal wires of the cable-pins 2 and 3 of the XLR-which results in the voltage being cancelled entirely by the reversed polarity wiring of a balanced microphone circuit. It was specifically designed this way so non-phantom mics--i.e. most dynamic mics--can be connected to a phantom power source without damage.)

Bob
 
I ad just seen the MXL CR24 microphone at a GC and it looked kinda cool!

Like the Darth Vader of microphones.
 
Terrific,

Thanks for the timely responses. Now I dont have to worry about damaging my e609, and can move forward with what I hope to be an excellent solution to my initial recording setup.
 
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