Re: [LAU] OT: Phantom power and my acoustic guitar

From: Gabriel M. Beddingfield <gabriel@email-addr-hidden>
Date: Mon Jan 26 2009 - 04:55:25 EET

Andrea Del Signore wrote:
> By the way I ever thought that since the guitar has two output plugs one
> XLR and one jack 1/4", the XLR one was balanced while the other
> unbalanced.

Yes, the XLR jack is balanced. Phantom power on that jack should _not_ harm
your gear. It's called 'phantom' because it's transparent to devices that don't
need/want it. If you try to use phantom power through a normal instrument jack
(without a direct box)... you will fry your gear -- and this is what Jorn was
saying. (**)

No, I don't think you need to inspect the circuitry on your guitar.

Note, however, that most mixing consoles are able to turn off phantom power on a
per-channel basis. On the mixing console I use, it's a discrete button at the
top of each channel.

Most literature doesn't even mention phantom power unless (a) it _utilizes_ it
or (b) it will damage the equipment. I've never seen (b).

If you use a direct box between the mixer (w/phantom) and the instrument, you do
not have to worry about phantom power. Your gear will be safe as long as
everything is working proper.

(**) - Caveat: If the cable is damaged, it is possible for phantom power to
damage your gear. As Jorn said, phantom power utilizes all 3 wires in the mic
cable. If one of the wires is damaged, then your gear will be at risk. This is
also what Jorn was saying. Viz. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_power

HTH,
Gabriel

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Received on Mon Jan 26 08:15:01 2009

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