What is 48v Phantom Power For

  • Thread starter Thread starter Iwannamix
  • Start date Start date
phantom power is used to power condenser microphones, its not needed for dynamic mics 99% of the time and does no harm but can be disastrous to ribbon mics.
 
will add on certain occasions condensers will have there own supply though
 
Iwannamix said:
What does it mean ? What does it do what is it for ?

This interface says it im planning on getting it

Amazon.com: Tascam US-800 8 Input USB 2.0 Computer Audio Interface: Musical Instruments
Click to expand...

Nice...just picked up one of these myself..and I gotta tell ya..it`s more fun then a barrel full of monkeys..and we all know a barrel full of monkey`s aint noth`in to sneeze at!!...LOL

anyway, as mentioned above, it`s for powering up for lack of a better term, condensor mics..
whenever you see a mic labled as a "condensor" mic. that means it needs phantom power..condensor mics are typically very sensitive, and pick up everything...especially the fan on my computor!!....LOL
 
AL P said:
Nice...just picked up one of these myself..and I gotta tell ya..it`s more fun then a barrel full of monkeys..and we all know a barrel full of monkey`s aint noth`in to sneeze at!!...LOL

anyway, as mentioned above, it`s for powering up for lack of a better term, condensor mics..
whenever you see a mic labled as a "condensor" mic. that means it needs phantom power..condensor mics are typically very sensitive, and pick up everything...especially the fan on my computor!!....LOL
Click to expand...

MY at2035 loves my fan sound for some reason. but i still dont get it when i get this interface should i turn phantom power on or off.
 
Iwannamix said:
MY at2035 loves my fan sound for some reason. but i still dont get it when i get this interface should i turn phantom power on or off.
Click to expand...

well it depends on what you have hooked up to it..
if your planning on using a condensor mic, then yes, it needs to be on..but if your plugging in guitars for example, or say a SHURE sm58 for vocals, then no, leave it turned off..

if your gonna use that AT2035, then yeah, turn on the phantom power...

"AT2035"
"Phantom Power Requirements: 11-52V DC, 3.8 mA typical"
 
AL P said:
well it depends on what you have hooked up to it..
if your planning on using a condensor mic, then yes, it needs to be on..but if your plugging in guitars for example, or say a SHURE sm58 for vocals, then no, leave it turned off..

if your gonna use that AT2035, then yeah, turn on the phantom power...

"AT2035"
"Phantom Power Requirements: 11-52V DC, 3.8 mA typical"
Click to expand...

ohhh Thanks
 
I remember when I was younger I used to be afraid of the phantom power button on our churches mixer. I thought it was sort of like a panic button. :facepalm:
 
Brenton said:
I remember when I was younger I used to be afraid of the phantom power button on our churches mixer. I thought it was sort of like a panic button. :facepalm:
Click to expand...

hahahaha..I too remember the first time i seen the infamous "phantom power" switch...it was mysterious as hell..had no idea what it did, but it was scary..LOL
 
AL P said:
hahahaha..I too remember the first time i seen the infamous "phantom power" switch...it was mysterious as hell..had no idea what it did, but it was scary..LOL
Click to expand...

Brenton said:
I remember when I was younger I used to be afraid of the phantom power button on our churches mixer. I thought it was sort of like a panic button. :facepalm:
Click to expand...

Haha :) I started running sound at my old church when I was 13. One day I saw the +48 switch so I flicked it off...and whaddya know, the pulpit mic stopped working :D
 
Iwannamix said:
What does it mean ? What does it do what is it for ?

This interface says it im planning on getting it

Amazon.com: Tascam US-800 8 Input USB 2.0 Computer Audio Interface: Musical Instruments
Click to expand...

Phantom power is a voltage nominally set at 48V +4V (though 24V and 12V is also allowed in some cases).

The +ve voltage is put equally on both audio legs in such a way to be invisible to the audio - that's why it's called "phantom" power. The -ve voltage is on the screen.

The spec. says that 10mA should be allowed, though most mics take 4mA or less. But many devices actually put out less than what the spec. says.

This voltage is used to power the capsule and the electronics and line driver in the microphone.

I hope this helps.
 
Further to what Mr. Willett says, the type of mic that usually requires phantom power is the condenser type. There are a few exceptions but not many, including tube mics that typically require more power and have their own supply. Dynamic mics, including the moving coil and ribbon types usually don't want or need phantom power.

Again, there are exceptions like the few ribbon mics out there that require phantom.

Generally, if you have an interface of some sort that does not allow you to assign phantom to individual channels, the mic types that don't want or need it will work just fine as long as you make all your cable connections before turning the phantom power on. Most of these have a transformer that will block the power from reaching the pickup element.

Here's an interesting video:


Ribbon Microphones and Phantom Power - YouTube
 
Active Di boxes need phantom power as well!
Like THIS top of the line make and model.
 
Somebody Called?

the-phantom.webp
 
moresound said:
Active Di boxes need phantom power as well!
Like THIS top of the line make and model.
Click to expand...

I have a low end Phonic DB2 box that has phantom power too. So it's not like you have to get a high end box just for active DI. You can get mine for about £30 I think.
 
Being a black belt, that's why my wedding ring is a tattoo. When you smack somebody in the jaw with a ring on, it tends to cause a phantom fracture of your phantom finger.-Richie
 
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