What is Phantom Power?
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Posted on Apr 13, 2002 03:25 pm
Loki
Cone Poker
Member Since: Apr 07, 2002
I've been looking at mics and a lot of them, if not all of them, need phantom power... what is this and how do I get it?
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MSHARCMember
Since: Apr 05, 2002
Apr 13, 2002 06:37 pm Finally, a question that I can answer and help this place out some. lol Phantom power is for condenser mics. Now, I usually go into too much detail but I thought the concept was cool, so I will tell you what it is. A regualr mic, dynamic mics are nothing more than a magnet that has a coil that moves and generates an electric current which is sent to the mixer, preamp, whatever you are running it to. COndenser mics have a thin metal foil and underneath of that a magnet of sorts. The "phantom power" sends current to the mic and "charges" the space between the thin metal foil and the magnet. When a vibration is detected the foil flexes and a current is generated by the displaced electrons. Condensors are more sensitive than dynamic mics and usually give a more accurate or "flat" frequency response. That is why most vocal mics are condensors. The cool thing is that you can run phantom power to a dynamic mic in and it won't hurt the dynamic mic, it just powers the condensor. The biggest concern with condesor mics is that a lot of them do not handle the higher spl's or sound pressure levels. In other words, putting a condensor mic that has a low SPL rating on a kick drum can overdrive and possibly damage the metal foil or internal circuitry. But, they make a lot of condensors that handle higher spl's and can easily handle percussive instrument micing. I hope that explains it and if I got something wrong I am sure the others here will set me straight. Cheers.
Marc (da SHarc)
Apr 13, 2002 08:06 pm ataboy Sharc :)
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Apr 14, 2002 01:46 pm Ok, so now that I know what phantom power is, how do I go about getting it?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 14, 2002 05:42 pm Most halfway decent mixer's have it. I know all but the smallest Behringer's and Mackie's have it. Otherwise, you can get a small pre-amp/Di box, and most of those have switchable phantom power. I know the Audio Buddy form M-Audio is a nice little rig that can sit right on the desk, and it has phantom power, and come's with both XLR and 1/4" balanced input's.
Noize 2 U
georgeContributor
Since: Apr 14, 2002
Apr 14, 2002 06:30 pm Hi Charlie. I know AT and I think Rolls makes outboard phantom power supplies. But check your board first. As Noize and Dan said, Ya probably already have it. Good luck, George.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Apr 14, 2002 07:30 pm Yeah, after looking at my Phonics mixer I found that there is a switch which activates the phantom power. So, now that I know what it is and does, and now that I know I have it, it's time to go out and get a decent Mic, instead of the ones I use right now (Which are great, but are most definitly Live vocal mics, since i am the vocalist in my band it's what i've got the most of.)
MitchMember
Since: Apr 14, 2002
Apr 14, 2002 10:32 pm Actually, to be fair to the best company ever, the smallest Behringer does have phantom power. I bought the MX602A and thats one of the cool things about it.
Toodles!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 14, 2002 10:38 pm My bad, I own a 602 also and, yes you are right, it has Phantom power. And to be fair, there are several of us here who use Behringer. In fact I own 3 of their mixer's and several other piece's of their gear.
Noize 2 U
Apr 15, 2002 04:20 am yup, mine is an 802 (Hey Noize, are ya ever gonna upgrade and sell me your 1604?) andit has phantom, I have only used it when george came over with his rig to lay down guitar tracks, as I don't use any phantom powered mics...but it's nice to have because I am sure I will someday...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 15, 2002 09:25 pm Ya, expecialy if I let ya borrow my 319. You gotta try it for the next voice piece you do, even just to here the warm fuzzy it give's off.
And ya, I guess I should make the mizer upgrade the next undertaking. The 1604 is only leaving here to go to you, I won't trade it in.
Noize
