New to Phantom Power

[Derek S]

Just purchased my first condensor mic. I searched first to try to answer these problems, even though I'm probably doing something stupid anyway.

I bought a MXL 2001. Anyway, it has an XLR output, I plugged in a cable that has a 3-conductor phono plug on the other end. I then plugged the 1/4" end into the front of the 001. I hit the phantom power button, and I saw a little pop on the meter, but no sound is getting through the mic. I figured it would just "work" at this point.

Do I need to have an XLR connector going into the Digi001? Am I missing something else stupid?

I'm just scared that I f-ed up the mic before I ever got to use it!

[billrog]

You should use an XLR to XLR cable for phantom. Hope your mic is still intact.

Bill.

[Derek S]

Jebus H... thanks for runing my day!

Exactly NOT the answer I was looking for. (Not that I don't believe you!)

What leads you to believe that the phono plug would jack up the microphone?

[dsteele]

You do need the XLR cable. Essentially the
48 volt power supply will get shorted out.

I am pretty sure though that no harm was done, but I have no direct experience doing this to the 001.

D.

[Sugarite]

If no XLR plug was plugged into the 001, the phantom power went nowhere, no harm done.

[Derek S]

That comment is a relief... although, pushing the phantom power switch did cause the meters to pop.

Guess I have to go get some cables tomorrow.

[Mr T]

Activating phantom power on any preamp
will always "cause the meters to pop".That's why you should always activate it after having lowered your output level to 0 (this could damage your speakers at high level...). For the rest, I do agree with Sugarite, only XLR cables can conduct phantom power.

[billrog]

Sorry if I scared you Derek, did not mean to. Your mic should indeed be fine.

Regards

Bill.

[Park Seward]

There is no technical reason why phantom power could not be sent down a 1/4" plug line as long as the connector was balanced and properly wired. The reason it is not used much on 1/4 plugs is that when you plug in, you make contact with one side first as the plug slides in. Therefore, you send 48v to the mic down one leg. Not recommended.

Use XLRs for phantom mics since all three pins make contact at the same time when you plug in. Also, plug in first before turning on the phantom power to be even safer.