Excellent info again Joe. FWIW phantom power was originally used for the telephone system in 1919 when the rotary dial method came out. 1964 saw the Schoeps CMT 20 model mic was first to use phantom power commercially, used 9-12V for the French radio. A preamp in the Nagra IV tape machine used negative phantom power. 1966 Neumann GmbH brought out the transistorized mic for Norwegian Broadcast Corporation. +48V phantom power was chosen due to the radio studio having 48V backup power. Mic was a new KM 84.
There are five million videos on RUclips explaining what Phantom Power is, and why you need it for condensers, but nobody explains what is so special about the PHYSICAL DESIGN of condenser mics that necessitates it in the first place. I always thought it was for powering an onboard preamp in the mic itself, but your "charged plate" reference, and @dennmillsch's comment below were just the "A-HA" moment I was looking for. FINALLY... Phantom Power demystified! Thanks, guys!
For those who care about a little more of the technicalities, when you move a conductor thru a magnetic field, a current is generated according to the motion of the conductor. Guitar pickups and dynamic mics have a magnet and a coil of wire so that all is needed is some sort of vibration (a guitar string vibrating, or a sound causing the dynamic mic coil or magnet to move across each other). Because of the magnet, these devices generate their own signal proportionate to the magnet/coil motion without any external power, actually similar to how an electrical power generator works. All they need is a vibration to make the magnet or coil move. Condenser mics do not use a magnet. Instead they have a capacitor (100 or more years ago commonly called a condenser ). A capacitor is simply two surfaces that can hold an electric charge if a voltage is applied to it. Since there is no magnet and thus no way to generate a voltage, the capacitor (condenser) must be powered by an external power source. The basic charge on the capacitor surfaces depend on several factors, including (1) the voltage applied and (2) the distance between the two surfaces. If the voltage is held constant, like at +48V, there will be a specific charge on the surfaces. A subsequent vibration will cause the surfaces to change their spacing which means the amount of charge changes proportionately. This change in charge is rather small and is detected and amplified in the microphone to useful audio signal.
My ribbons have been exposed to phantom power multiple times, and they are fine. What's actually dangerous, is powered patchbays with trs connectors. If they are plugged or unplugged while phantom power is on, that causes the hot and cold wires have 48 volts between them. With ribbons, you're momentarily turning the mic into a light bulb. So the ribbon will easily have its molecular structure changed.
I use a Cloud Lifter or the Klark Teknik mic booster with my ribbon mics and dynamics.. helps get a louder low noise signal with out having to crank the preamp to get there and protects the ribbon mic from phantom power and you get all the benefits like a condenser
Note that the docs for some inline boosters (maybe just the cheaper ones?) warn not to plug / unplug the cable / mic / booster while phantom power is engaged: I've definitely shorted out at least one due to the voltage spikes that occur during plugging / unplugging.
Is it ok to use the switches on your condenser mic while phantom power is on? Or is it better to turn it off before you move the switches? You know, like polar pattern and filter and stuff.
What about sending phantom power to other non-microphone things, like a keyboard or guitar amp coming in direct? Any danger in damaging those kinds of things by sending power when it's not needed?
I've read that phantom power can damage a Line 6 Pod Go when connected directly to the mixer if phantom power is engaged, even if the connection is through an XLR to TRS cable (3 conductors). Is it a matter of fact? Can't find an exact answer. Thank you for reading!
I have a Yamaha MG10XU Mixer. The phantom power switched ON effects all the 4 Combo inputs. If I use a TRS jack on one of these inputs to connect my synth keyboard, will it get damaged? Thanks
Hi I have a studiolive 32s. I have the desk set to post and the individual channels set to post when I record my synths to studio one pro I have reverb delay phaser set on the desk as part of the synth sound but when I record it it always comes out dry and I just can't get the sound the same adding the effects in the DAW. what am I doing wrong.
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Excellent info again Joe.
FWIW phantom power was originally used for the telephone system in 1919 when the rotary dial method came out.
1964 saw the Schoeps CMT 20 model mic was first to use phantom power commercially, used 9-12V for the French radio. A preamp in the Nagra IV tape machine used negative phantom power.
1966 Neumann GmbH brought out the transistorized mic for Norwegian Broadcast Corporation. +48V phantom power was chosen due to the radio studio having 48V backup power. Mic was a new KM 84.
There are five million videos on RUclips explaining what Phantom Power is, and why you need it for condensers, but nobody explains what is so special about the PHYSICAL DESIGN of condenser mics that necessitates it in the first place. I always thought it was for powering an onboard preamp in the mic itself, but your "charged plate" reference, and @dennmillsch's comment below were just the "A-HA" moment I was looking for. FINALLY... Phantom Power demystified! Thanks, guys!
For those who care about a little more of the technicalities, when you move a conductor thru a magnetic field, a current is generated according to the motion of the conductor. Guitar pickups and dynamic mics have a magnet and a coil of wire so that all is needed is some sort of vibration (a guitar string vibrating, or a sound causing the dynamic mic coil or magnet to move across each other). Because of the magnet, these devices generate their own signal proportionate to the magnet/coil motion without any external power, actually similar to how an electrical power generator works. All they need is a vibration to make the magnet or coil move. Condenser mics do not use a magnet. Instead they have a capacitor (100 or more years ago commonly called a condenser ). A capacitor is simply two surfaces that can hold an electric charge if a voltage is applied to it. Since there is no magnet and thus no way to generate a voltage, the capacitor (condenser) must be powered by an external power source. The basic charge on the capacitor surfaces depend on several factors, including (1) the voltage applied and (2) the distance between the two surfaces. If the voltage is held constant, like at +48V, there will be a specific charge on the surfaces. A subsequent vibration will cause the surfaces to change their spacing which means the amount of charge changes proportionately. This change in charge is rather small and is detected and amplified in the microphone to useful audio signal.
My ribbons have been exposed to phantom power multiple times, and they are fine. What's actually dangerous, is powered patchbays with trs connectors. If they are plugged or unplugged while phantom power is on, that causes the hot and cold wires have 48 volts between them. With ribbons, you're momentarily turning the mic into a light bulb. So the ribbon will easily have its molecular structure changed.
I loved your paid courses. But watching these free refresher videos are great too. Thanks Joe.
I think Neumann invented 48V Phantom Power. Nice Video Btw👍
I use a Cloud Lifter or the Klark Teknik mic booster with my ribbon mics and dynamics.. helps get a louder low noise signal with out having to crank the preamp to get there and protects the ribbon mic from phantom power and you get all the benefits like a condenser
Note that the docs for some inline boosters (maybe just the cheaper ones?) warn not to plug / unplug the cable / mic / booster while phantom power is engaged: I've definitely shorted out at least one due to the voltage spikes that occur during plugging / unplugging.
Sidenote, I like the 60fps. It's the future
Is it ok to use the switches on your condenser mic while phantom power is on? Or is it better to turn it off before you move the switches? You know, like polar pattern and filter and stuff.
What about sending phantom power to other non-microphone things, like a keyboard or guitar amp coming in direct? Any danger in damaging those kinds of things by sending power when it's not needed?
Can a synth get damaged if you use balanced cables and you accidentally send phantom power into it?
I've read that phantom power can damage a Line 6 Pod Go when connected directly to the mixer if phantom power is engaged, even if the connection is through an XLR to TRS cable (3 conductors). Is it a matter of fact? Can't find an exact answer. Thank you for reading!
I have a Yamaha MG10XU Mixer. The phantom power switched ON effects all the 4 Combo inputs. If I use a TRS jack on one of these inputs to connect my synth keyboard, will it get damaged? Thanks
Hi I have a studiolive 32s. I have the desk set to post and the individual channels set to post when I record my synths to studio one pro I have reverb delay phaser set on the desk as part of the synth sound but when I record it it always comes out dry and I just can't get the sound the same adding the effects in the DAW. what am I doing wrong.
Thanks Joe, I can cross phantom power off of my list of things I don't know but I'm embarrassed to ask about.
On the Tascam model 24, phantom power is all or none which kind of sucks.
I expected an explanation as to how phantom power actually works...