Always plug the mic in first, and THEN turn on the phantom power. The 48 volts is wired to BOTH pin 2 AND pin 3, with pin 1 being the other side of the 48 volt line. If you don't connect pin 2 and 3 at the same time, there is a chance of it getting past the isolation transformer, which can cause some serious damage in the audio circuit. It's just easier to plug everything in and them power it up.

But Harvey, what do I do if you can't turn off the phantom power...like with an 8078 or an A-Range?

Learn ta plug the XLR in straight. Actually, I'm really guilty of plugging and unplugging mics all the time with the 48V switch left on, and I've never blown anything, still I hear it repeated so often, it must be true. As for those two desks you mentioned that don't have the 48V switches, they are unsafe and should be shipped to me immediately for proper disposal.

I love the manual for the Coles 4038 ribbon mic - it comes with a page of specs and about 8 pages of what not to do (don't wave it around, blow into it, slam doors near it, take it outside, use phantom power, drop it, close the lid on the case fast, etc.). Alex used it about 3 feet out from a kick (in a tunnel), and it sounded great, right up to the point where he blew out the ribbon.

Originally posted by hargerst:
Alex used it about 3 feet out from a kick (in a tunnel), and it sounded great, right up to the point where he blew out the ribbon.

Woo hoo!!! LOL. Just out of curiousity, did the manual mention that as something you shouldn't do.

I like the idea of sending all those defective Neve's and A ranges to you Harv, if you have one too many, please forward to Windsor. Thanks.

Mark Plancke

Originally posted by hargerst:
still I hear it repeated so often, it must be true

Don't think like that. Theres a lot of incorrect information repeated a lot. For example: You know that "taste-map" of the tongue, were you sense sweet taste at the tip, salty at the sides, bitter far in, and so on? All wrong. And scientists has known it was wrong for at leats 50 years. But it still is repeated in each biology book in school... :)

However, in this case I'm sure it's correct. Plug everything in first and turn it on later, if possible. All the times my speakers go "pop" tells me that it's a good idea, even though I haven't blown anything either. :)

And of course, the most important thing I forgot to mention: If you do plug in a condensor mic with the phantom power on, mute the damn channel first!!