Phantom Power

• Phantom Power is a method for transmitting DC electric power through microphone cables to operate microphones that contain active electronic circuitry.

• While it is intended for condenser microphones, if a dynamic microphone was accidentally fed phantom power, it would not damage the microphone.

• A convenient way to power a condenser microphone is with phantom power from a separate device.

• Phantom power capabilities are often built into mixers. You'll likely be able to access it with an on/off switch on the mixer.

  

• Phantom power is a DC or direct current power source available in various voltages. It is manufacturer-specific, and sometimes product-specific.

What's so convenient about phantom power?

Phantom power uses the same cable that transports the audio signal out of the mic, to transport power to the mic. If you are able to provide phantom power to a microphone, you will not need batteries.

Phantom Powering was used in telephone systems since the introduction of the rotary-dial telephone in 1919 before it was

applied to condenser microphones.

The first known commercially available phantom-powered microphone was the Schoeps model CMT 20, which came

out in 1964.

Phantom Power Do’s and Don’ts

• If you are plugging in a condenser microphone, do verify that your microphone can be phantom powered.

• Ensure that the microphones output is low impedanced, balanced and floating.

• Mute the sound system when turning the phantom power on or off, or when connecting or disconnecting microphones. If you forget, the resulting loud POP may be your last.

• Don’t worry about your other microphones as long as their outputs are balanced and floating.

• Don’t connect microphones or devices that do not conform to the DIN 45 596 standard.

• Don’t connect A-B or T- system microphones without suitable adaptors.