Phantom Power 101: Essential Tips for Safely Energizing Condenser Microphones and Active DIs
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- Опубліковано 12 лип 2024
- All about phantom power.
Where it's used, how it works. How to avoid damaging equipment.
The impact of phantom power on sound quality, or when used with dynamic mics. Should phantom power be left on with studio mics.
I'll explain it all, no need to fear this phantom.
I cannot believe you only have 422 subscribers. This channel is so useful and I hope it gets a flood of new subscribers very soon. Many thanks!
Wow, thank you!
Good vid! In my education of phantom power, and its situations, this input was greatly appreciated! Cheers! 🇨🇦👍🏻
Glad it was helpful!
Good vid. I always like to recap info just to keep it refreshed in my mind
Hi Barry, I am completely new to this gear that I've just purchased.(Spent some money). Through seeking to learn how to make my home studio, I have landed on your site. Just wanna thank you for your expertise on explaining phantom power to everyone. I am using 2 (a stereo set) of KM 184 Neumann condenser mics for recording and amplifying classical guitar. For home recording, I am using a Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 3rd generation interface (with phantom power)and using a 90 day free trial of Pro Logic X, which I still need to learn. (all of this was recommended by online classical guitarists that I trust.) However, I am trying to learn all of this through online video's like yours. I also have a Yamaha EMX 62M powered mixer (6 channels) and phantom power to use with my mics so I can hear myself through speakers as well as headphones. I'm hoping to make some youtube video's that my grandchildren can watch after I am gone. Again, Thanks for your video's, They really help me out. Subscribe for sure! P.S. I know I could probably do this with just an iPhone, but I am enjoying this doing it my way. Thanks again! ...Steve
Fantastic! If you have any specific setup questions, I'll be glad to help. Best wishes!
Thank you, great video. Exactly what I was searching for 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Interesting video, you seem to be very passionate about this stuff. I am only setting up a podcast/stream so a lot of this is over my head, but it's still nice to see someone putting in the work like you do
Thank you!
Thank you, very helpful advice.
Thanks!
Very well explained. Subscribed.
Awesome, thank you!
Hi Barry, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Question - I have an Active DI Box (Behringer Ultra DI DI20) I'm using it to send balanced audio from an IPAD to a Mixer using a 3.5mm to dual mono jacks cable and 2 xlr cables into to channel preamps in the mixer. In order to do this, the mixer must send 48v to the DI Box. My question is: Will this 48V travel to the iPad's Output? can it get damaged? Thank you in advance.
You should be fine, phantom power should not pass through the DI box to the unbalanced side. One of the benefits of DI boxes is equipment isolation.
For more info see my video on DI boxes:
ua-cam.com/video/D047E4yx0lg/v-deo.html
Best video on the subject on UA-cam 👏🎤
Thanks!
Very helpful video, my question is, does the placement of the Phantom Power unit effect the noise issue. Does it help to keep the Phantom power unit away from the recorder?
Placement on the cable really should not matter. Generally speaking, I'd try to avoid placing sensitive equipment (mic level) near strong magnetic or RF fields - like right next to a amplifier with a big power transformer, or on top of a lighting controller etc to avoid the potential of picking up hum or noise.
I recently purchased new mics for a podcast project when I activate the phantom power all i get is a very loud static (picture a TV on a static station) coming through my headset. I've tried other mics and had no problems. Just these new ones. Manual states they require 48v phantom power. Any tips or ideas on what could cause this?
Sorry to hear this, it's not supposed to do that.
Have you tried other phantom powered mics?
I've seen condenser mics fail with this behavior. It could be a bad mic cable, but I doubt it. It could be a bad phantom power supply, but I'd think most likely it is the mic. I'd try a different mic that uses phantom power, and if that works - it's your mic. If that fails, I'd be looking at the phantom power supply.
Thank you sir 👍
Most welcome!
Hi, great video. I have phantom power enabled on my small mixer to power my LR Baggs acoustic guitar preamp. This means that phantom power also gets sent down the line to the output of my Harmony Singer 2 pedal. I was worried that this might damage the pedal but having watched your video, I checked and the XLR output of the Harmony Singer pedal is balanced, so I'm thinking I should be ok? Advice greatly appreciated! Many thanks.
Thanks! From what I understand, phantom power from your mixer should not damage that pedal. I'd be surprised if any modern active electronic balanced output device designed to plug into a mixer would be damaged by phantom power.
There are stand alone phantom power units, you could put one of these in front of your pedal and turn off the phantom power on the mixer.
i genuinely enjoyed and appreciated this vid, i have subscribed!!.... my question is still with 48v phantom power, but is about the quality of different stand alone supply units. How to know the quality of what unit meets professional needs, touring and in the studio. Im currently up for buying a stand alone (if this is the correct way to say it) supply unit and have been somewhat gobsmacked by the options and price difference. Will they introduce noise? Are all of them true 48v? Any insight would just be a treat. Thankyou!!
Thanks! You want a phantom supply that delivers clean, noise-free voltage regulated DC power.
The phantom power is applied to both mic signal lines, and your mixer is able to reject common mode noise, but still I'd want a clean hum & noise-free phantom power source. The voltage should be 48 volts, but in practice it's not critical that it's exactly 48.0v, lots of microphones will work on a wide range of voltage, even down to 12v in some cases. So, if the output is within a volt or two, you're probably totally fine.
With today's electronics these are not challenging goals. I'd expect just about any phantom adapter to work well. Good product build quality does cost a little bit, so I'd avoid the very lowest cost import stuff. I'd seek a well known brand that offers an affordable choice.
Typically it's just a small power transformer, rectifier diode(s), a voltage regulator chip, and filter capactors. It's not super compliected.
@@Barry-Watson Hi Barry, thanks mate.
Cheers!
Do I need a amp to get power to my passive pa speakers or can I use phantom from my mixer?
Yup, you'll need a power amp for the speakers. Phantom power is for devices attached to the microphone inputs, and only provides a little bit of DC power down the microphone line to operate active electonics in microphones and other input devices designed to use phantom power.
Hello, good sir. Yours is the most conversational-yet-concise videos I've found so far on youtube. I have a specific question about phantom power on an older Sennheizer 415 T (not the 416). Although it's been awhile since I bought it, the warnings about phantom power, burning up mics, etc. has had me so spooked I'm only now trying it. On advice of the seller, I bought a PSC 48PH to 12T in-line converter. Enough time has passed that I've forgotten the exact set-up, and an hour of online searching turned up nothing. Should this converter be used between the mic and the mic cord, or at the end of the cable where it will be plugged into my Mackie board? I know this sounds silly to a pro, but am still wary of destroying this mic. Should the phantom 48 be turned on at the board in order for the converter to have something to convert? This is for a home studio voiceover booth, and as you've probably surmised, as an engineer I make a hell of a voice actor. Thank you for your time. I have subscribed.
That mic uses 12 volt T-power, so plugging directly into 48v phantom power may not end well. I'd use an adapter like www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/147515-REG/Sennheiser_12T_P48_12TP48_48V_Phantom.html which sounds like what you have. The adapter scales the +48v down to +12v for this mic, and could be placed anywhere in the line between the mic and the preamp input (the phantom power source). Order of operation would be to mute channel on mixer/preamp, attach the cables, adapter and mic, enable phantom power, then un-mute (turn-up) channel. To disconnect, mute channel, disable phantom, then disconnect the mic. Best wishes, and thanks!
@@Barry-Watson THANK YOU for humoring me on what some might consider a silly question. I've been feeling like those guys in movies who can't figure out whether to cut the bomb's blue wire or the red one. Much appreciated.
My pleasure! If everyone knew everything, they're be no point in my making videos.
Hope that mic works well for you. For audiobooks/voiceover, for me, I've tried lots of mics and in my untreated room I find myself often using a inexpensive Shure SM57 with a big foam windscreen (A81WS). It just sounds smooth and doesn't pick up as much room noise as the condensers. The sound is very similar to the Shure SM7 for a fraction of the price.
What happens to Keyboards with unbalanced outputs if I hit them with Phantom-Power from the Mixer?
If an unbalanced input is tied between one signal line and ground of the XLR connector, it would apply 48v DC to the keyboard output. The keyboard output stage may survive, but I wouldn't recommend it. You may damage the instrument.
Depending upon the mixer, phantom power may (or may not) be applied to the 1/4 in input jacks at the mixer, so if you're going into one of those, you *might be safe. I'd check it with a voltmeter to be sure.
I would recommend using balanced signals to the PA, so I'd suggest running your keyboard output(s) to a DI box, and using the DI box balanced output to drive the sound system. This should preserve signal quality over longer cable runs.
Do all active DI box support 48V phantom power?
Thanks for reply.
Every active DI box that I have used can be powered with phantom power from the mixer. I would consider this to be a normal feature, but double check any unit you're considering purchasing to make sure that it will fit your needs.
Hi, Barry, thanks for posting that video, very informative. I have a dilemma. I'm playing my dobro through a Fishman Aura Jerry Douglas acoustic imaging pedal. The pedal's input and output are both 1/4", unbalanced. A lot of house sound systems don't have 1/4" inputs on their snakes. I use a TRS/XLR male cable to connect it, but I'm afraid that if the sound tech turns on the phantom power, my pedal will go up in smoke. Can you recommend a way to safely use my pedal? Thanks!
I wouldn't be keen on running an unbalanced signal on a long cable, like the snake. I'd just get a short 1/4->1/4 TS unbalanced cable and go from your pedal into a DI box, and then use the DI box output (XLR balanced) to drive the sound system. This will offer you a balanced, low noise connection and provide isolation so your instrument isn't directly attached to the sound system. See my video on DI boxes.
ua-cam.com/video/D047E4yx0lg/v-deo.html
@@Barry-Watson thanks for the quick response. I tried a DI several times, but for some reason, it only worked one time. No idea why. Usually the signal doesn't pass through at all. Had the same problem at at several different venues, using the house DIs. I don't know if these DIs were passive or active. Since the Fishman Aura pedal is also a DI box/preamp, could that be the reason why the signal won't pass through a DI? It only passes signal if I plug directly from the pedal to the snake. I did make a DI work one time, so I know a DI could possibly work. If I purchased my own DI, would a passive one be adequate, or would it be necessary to go with an active one?
The signal coming off your pedal should be able to drive a little
bit of load, it's not a really high impedance delicate signal like one coming from a passive pickup. The pedal is active electronics. So, I'd suspect you could easily drive any DI box, active or passive. For simplicity I'd probably choose a simple passive DI box. Use a quality 1/4->1/4 patch cable.
This really should work, the only reasons I can think of why you previously had issues would be a poor connection from a patch cable, were using an active DI without power (dead battery or no-phantom power available for it), or you were provided a non-working DI box (with an internal issue - unlikely but I have seen some pretty abused house DI boxes). The most likely cause is usually a bad patch cable or poor connection. Good luck!
@@Barry-Watson I'll definitely try that. Thanks for the help, Barry, really like your channel. It's great for guys like me who are technically challenged. ☺
Thank you!
I have a ssl 2 interface , my phantom power stopped working suddenly and it not picking up input , I tried changing the cables
If you have a voltmeter, enable phantom power and look for appx 48v DC from pin 1 to 2 and pin 1 to 3 on the XLR connector.
Hey brother man 🤘 one of the best informative videos on UA-cam I've ever seen 👍 glad I found you sir because I have a problem 😕... I'm running a Rockville rpm1470 mixer along with the Rockville RCM pro condenser mic, it has sounded great clear up till this evening. Haven't changed a thing, when I switch on the phantom power it operates normally for a couple seconds and then fades out completely..?? The mixer includes 14 channel so I tried another channel to the same outcome, so I assumed it must be a microphone problem... Have you experienced something like this? And hey thanks a bunch, I really do appreciate your time 😁✌️
I'd try another phantom powered mic, or check the connector with a voltmeter to make sure phantom power is working properly. If you're getting phantom power, it's probably a mic problem, and I'd take a guess at a failed capacitor inside the mic. It might recover if you keep the mic energized on phantom power for an extended period (maybe days)... otherwise, it's soldering iron time. ;) Repairing microphones is a specialized service, it may or may not be worth it depending upon the cost of the mic and how attached to it ya are. If the phantom supply on the board is failing, it's probably not a huge issue to service. Best wishes!
@@Barry-Watson Barry!!! I haven't run into someone as kind and helpful as you in quite some time 😁🤘👍 thanks a bunch for your help, and the super prompt reply 😮... People like you are very few my friend 🙂 thanks again!!! God bless you brother!!!🤘
Thank you, I appreciate the kind sentiment, and I'd like to help how I can so everyone can sound excellent.
@@Barry-Watson now see Barry, that's exactly what I'm talking about!!! I've just experienced so many people that absolutely do not share the love and good blessings for others. Wish everyone had your way of thinking Barry!!! The world would absolutely positively be a brighter place!!! I'm just a newbie setting up my home studio for nothing other than a happy place where I can relax and have fun. I'll tell everybody I know about Barry 👍🤘✌️❤️🌞😎💪 one of the most helpful, nicest people I've ever met on the ole interwebs!!! I have a fairly extensive skillset, outside of electronics 🤣for sure!!! So if there's ever something that you think a Good ol boy could give you a hand with, you better hit me up!!! My name is Travis, damn glad to have met you Barry!!! Thanks again!!!💪🎶🤘
Thanks Travis! It would certainly be a pleasure to hang out with ya, if our paths meet. Likewise I'm always happy to help.
Rock on, and best of luck with your issue. I'm curious about what you discover, if it's a problem with the phantom supply on the mixer, or if it's a mic issue.
I wish to record piano and condenser mic for vocals using an audio interface and my PC, using recording software such as audacity or garage band. Could you advise how to successfully set this up? I would really appreciate this. Thank you.
More than one way to approach this. I would consider that the technical recording quality is determined mostly by your mic and audio interface. Lots of good equipment to choose from. I would look at an Audient iD4 interface, and a pair of Shure SM-81 mics (and boom stands), and some good headphones. There are of course many other valid choices. The SM-81s are very neutral, and work decently on almost everything, they aren't cheap... but they're not super-expensive. You'll need a inexpensive pop filter for the vocals. At some point you may wish to find the perfect vocal mic, large diaphragm condensers are the traditional choice, but good ones tend to be expensive. The SM-81 will work well for vocals (with a pop filter), and I'm assuming you want to keep the mic budget less expensive than your piano.
I would record the piano in stereo and probably not get too close with the mics depending upon your room. Then I would lay down a vocal track afterwards while listening to the piano recording on headphones. I like the Sony MDR-7506 headphones, although they are not the most accurate. I also like the AKG-240 series, but they require more drive to get loud.
The recording software will affect your workflow, but shouldn't impact sound quality. Audacity is free, Reaper is free to try and inexpensive. Either will work for you. If you prefer ProTools or something else, and don't mind the cost... great.
Room sound control (room size, shape, reflectivity, and how many moving blankets and sound absorbing stuff is around), mic placement, how good your piano naturally sounds... and how well you play, are hugely important. Maybe more important than the gear. Spend plenty of time experimenting with different mic placement until you get the sound you're looking for.
If you have more specific quesions, feel free to ask.
Best wishes!
Thanks for the reply!
I have a Yamaha Clavinova CVP-401 Digital Piano, Shure beta-58, GA project FC MKII condenser mic, Scaret 2i2 interface and a PC i wish to record some content on to. Can phantom power damage my PC or digital piano?
thank you, andy.
You only need to turn on phantom power when using the condenser mic, and I wouldn't expect any problems at all if you're using standard balanced mic cables for your mics.
Thank you for your program . I am thinking of buying a Schertler Amp. 120 w. But it only have 24V phantom . If I have this extra device 48V phantom and plug it in from the Condenser Mic 48V , it will be Ok. Phantom is invisible to Audio. That what you said
But the the Phantom Button on the Amp should be Off. Am I right. Thank you. 😊Lennart Sweden.
Yes, exactly. I would turn off phantom power at the amplifier and use the external device if your microphone requires 48 volt power.
Many, but not all, microphones will operate happily at lower voltage so you may or may not need to use the external phantom power supply.
In any case, I doubt you would risk damaging equipment regardless of the settings.
Thanks, and best wishes.
Thanks for the good advice.😊I play Chromatic Harmonica . I try the Condenser mic Aston Origin it needs 48V. I red. Lennart 😊🎵🎶
My feeling is that a typical condenser microphone might be a little sharp and edgy for close mic harmonica, of course I'm not to argue if that's the sound you like. When I think of condenser microphones I feel their strength is typically high frequency detail.
Make sure to pursue a microphone that is capable of handling the high sound pressure levels of being right next to the instrument like that, really high SPL is usually the arena of dynamic mics.
I would tend to reach for a stage dynamic, like a Shure SM57 or 58. I think those mics would make the harmonica a touch smoother and rich sounding. Ideally, you could try a Shure 520DX, which is purpose made for harmonica players. amzn.to/3ttOtAO
Rock on!
@@Barry-Watson Thanks. The Condenser mic shure needs some EQ. The Schertler Amp have that . But I dont have the Amp yet .I also have a small Senheiser Dynamic mic Handheld . I going buy extra Phantom .for my Condenser Aston Origin . Regards lennart🎵🎶
Yeahhh, im watching this after accidently pluging in a cheap dynamic mic into my powered mixer while phantom power was on. The transistors in the amp are now blown up - i guess i wont do that again 😂
A dynamic microphone going to a balanced input (3 pin) Really should not be affected by phantom power. But if you have the gains cranked up while plugging in that connection that DC signal can really make a nasty pop come through the system.
Always a good practice, and especially when Phantom Power is operational, to make sure your microphone gains are fully down or channels are completely muted before connecting or disconnecting anything. Also, the old saying "amps on last, amps off first", so you don't send nasty transients through.
I didn't know Jack Palance was a sound engineer too! lol
Have you come across condenser microphones that work perfectly fine on a desktop mixer, while another microphone behaves poorly? Only when connected to an external phantom power supply does the microphone work well. Perhaps this is common with more expensive condenser mics.
I don't think the price of the mic has much to do with it. I'd try different cables, just to rule out an intermittent connector. I've seen a couple mics that appear picky about the phantom supply. Maybe these mics require near 48v to work, or they draw a little more current than most other mics, and some cheap phantom power supplies are a little underpowered for them. This is pretty rare.
I'd use a DC volt meter to check phantom voltage (with mics attached) on the mixer and your external supply. My suspicion is that the phantom supply in the mixer is weak and not providing a solid clean +48v. If the mixer voltage drops when the mic is attached, it would suggest that the mixer's phantom supply can't deliver enough current for some reason to drive that mic.
Some mics are pretty tolerant, and may work ok on a lower voltage. From what you describe, I'd be suspect of the phantom supply in the mixer.
Is it really what you think? A dirty capsule, or an issue in the mics electronics could case intermittent behavior. Does it *always work properly on the external power supply?
@@Barry-Watson....yep, always works great with external power. I'll stick with that. Thanks
thanks, Barry, but...soooo sorry, it was not helpful. What happened to "show and tell"? You just talked "dry", no demonstration of how you hook up the mike with the phantom power and then connect that to the speaker. On the back of my new speaker (Turbosound 1000), there are male and female connections, and I can't (being a total newbie) figure out which one goes where. It gives me the jitters, lol. I don't want to plug it in in the wrong order/direction and get one big "boom" and then all goes dead.... not sure if that could actually happen if I pick the wrong positions for the cables.... well there is my dilemma....I need to hook up the phantom power box, and the mike to the box and the box to the speaker system, and all of them have choices of either male or female plug-ins. So I have no idea in what direction this all needs to go together. I must be the only one in the world who doesn't know how to hook stuff up.... poor me, lol. Heeelllpppp!
Typically phantom power is a feature of the mixing board/preamp, and the channel has a button that enables it for that mic (or a group of mics). Before turning on phantom power the channel should be muted or turned down to prevent any POP! from coming through. Same deal if you're using an external phantom box. Connect your mic to the box, the box to your speaker, and THEN turn on the speaker system, and raise the gain. Likewise, turn down the gain, turn off the speaker, before disconnecting the mic. This way you don't amplify any nasty transients.
Generally, if you're looking at a MALE XLR connectior (pins), that's an output signal. A FEMALE connector (with holes) is typically expecting an input.
Sometimes powered speakers have a pair of connectors that are jumpered together, used to take in signal, and then also pass it right out to another speaker (daisy-chain). This makes it easy to pass the signal to another box, or to your subwoofer.
Should I use the phantom power on my mixer or my interface that my mixer is hooked too
Phantom power should be enabled on the device that the microphone that requires it, or the active di box is directly connected to.
@Barry-Watson my condenser is connected to my mixer. Mixer to interface. From there to computer. So just turn on the phantom power on the mixer. Not the Interface. correct? Also, If my mixer has a USB connection. Should I not use the interface? I'm really new to this.Sorry for being a noob.
@Barry-Watson Sorry, I'm pretty new to this as far as hooking it All up but i've been in the life for years. Lol My condenser is hooked directly to my mixer.The mixer is hooked directly to the interface. If i'm understanding you, I only need to have phantom power on the mixer. not the interface correct? Also do I even Need the interface if my mixer takes A usb? If you made a video about this already just guide me to it or let me know and I will watch it and share some love that way. I know enough to know that you know what you're talking about And you should have way more subscribers!
@@Barry-Watson Something weird is going on. I couldn't see my first response to you. Now I can't see the one I sent to replace it in case it didn't send. Sorry for doubling up.And I have no idea if you can even see this but I can't see anything.I sent you other than the very first comment
Right, if the microphone is connected to the mixer, the mixer channel the mic is plugged into would need to have phantom power enabled, if the mic requires that.
I wouldn't enable phantom power unless you need it, but generally speaking it shouldn't hurt anything either. So I wouldn't be too worried about damaging equipment -- with some rare exceptions such as the use of some cable adapters to apply unbalanced signals into a balanced inputs, or if you're using some obscure ribbon microphones which can be sensitive to phantom power.