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Phantom Power

FAQ

Can voltage fluctuations in the phantom power (PP) cause microphone hiss?

It's very unlikely that voltage fluctuations in the phantom power (PP) could cause hiss.

What are the 3 pins for phantom power?

There are three pins. Phantom power is connected to both pin 2 and pin 3 (but as long as your cable is not broken, simply use it).

X stands for ground (it is connected to the cable shield).

Pin 1 (X) = ground
Pin 2 (L) = + most commonly, or Left
Pin 3 (R) = - most commonly, or Right

Will phantom power damage dynamic microphones?

The risk is higher if it is an unbalanced connection. The Sound Reinforcement Handbook by Yamaha says something like this:

"In a phantom power system, the polarizing supply voltage is placed on both of the signal lines in a balanced connection, with the same polarity on each line. Dynamic microphones connected in a balanced system with a phantom power input are then protected from damage, theoretically, since the system results in a net zero DC potential across the coil. However, a dynamic mic connected unbalanced to a phantom power input may be destroyed."

In other words if you take a sm57 and plug it into a phantom powered mic pre using a normal balanced mic cable then you should be safe.

If you take an unbalanced mic and wire it with a xlr plug so you can connect it to that same input then you could fry the mic. In a balanced connection the 48 volts is running parallel down the 2 signal wires. With an unbalanced connection (2 conductors) you have 1 signal wire and ground and doing this is basically completing a circuit that sends 48volts directly to the mics voice coil.

What are the correct steps connecting a mic to phantom power

So the steps when connecting are:

1. Turn down those master faders.
2. Plug in mic.
3. Turn Phantom Power on.

and when disconnecting:

1. Turn down those master faders.
2. Turn Phantom Power off.
3. Unplug mic.

Description

Phantom power, in the context of professional audio equipment, is DC electric power transmitted through microphone cables to operate microphones that contain active electronic circuitry. It is best known as a convenient power source for condenser microphones, though many active direct boxes also use it.

Using Phantom Power through a Yamaha Q2031 analog EQ

molton 28 November 2020
Hello, I need help figuring out if I can do something or not without breaking anything. I got my nephew an M-Audio AIR 192|4 audio interface that came with a condenser mic that requires phantom power to work. He uses to produce some decent stuff, and I'm getting hI'm a Yamaha Q2031 31 band analog EQ to use with it this year. I know he can use it for the 1/4" guitar input no problem but I'm worried that using the XLR connection for the mic with the phantom power input enabled will hurt the equalizer, audio interface or mic.

Sennheiser K6 not working with Phantom P.

JohnSLC 28 March 2019
Bought an ME66 capsule and the K6 power module was still attached when it arrived.
I popped in a battery, and it worked great but heard hum, switched to phantom and got nothing but hum, no signal.
I know about the screw grounding issue, and fixed the hum right away, now battery is crisp and phantom is just silent. Swapped out for my other K6, and the ME66 worked on both battery and phantom power, so I know it's this used K6.

Before i request a quote from Sennheiser service, has anyone seen this and have a solution/suggestion I can look into?

No phantom power from Scarlett Solo 1st gen

Zedramcak 9 March 2019
Hello.

I just bought an AKG P220 and wanted to try recording with my Focusrite Scarlett solo. But I don't get any sound from it. When I connect my Shure SM58, the recording works just fine. The 48V switch is on. And the Scarlett is connected via a USB hub which also has its own power supply.

Can be the problem in the XLR cable?

I need help with Phantom Power and Mics!

TomCopey 13 June 2017
I'm looking at purchasing my first condenser microphone. I currently already own a mixer that I was planning on using with the mic that I buy, this mixer is an Alto ZMX52 however I'm having a big issue deciding which Microphone to buy due to phantom power. The mixer I currently have has an 18v Phantom power output and a lot of the microphones I'm looking at require a 48v supply. Some places say that I could use a 48v mic on a lower voltage supply and others say it wouldn't work at all with some mics.

Blocking phantom power?

achase4u 15 June 2016
Edited for clarity.

So, I am setting up for some hybrid mixing for the first time and have db25 connected from the analog out of my converters to the input of my radial lunchbox. The lunch box has preamps for recording as well as an eq. I accidentally sent phantom to the analog out of my converters(from a preamp on the radial) for approx 1 minute. It seems to work, so I am thankful there.

DPA 4099g phantom power plugging/unplugging

guitarjazzman 5 May 2015
I have recently purchased a DPA 4099g and would like a definitive answer to whether plugging/unplugging with phantom power on is advisable.

The reason I ask is that the manual states phantom power should be turned off when plugging/unplugging the microphone. I played a gig with a team of sound man at the weekend and when I asked for the phantom power to be turned off, one of the guys told me that it didn't need to be turned off and all the other microphones using phantom power on the stage have never been a problem with not turning off the phantom power.
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