Re: [LAU] Some phantoms are stronger than other phantoms.

Hey,

Ill quote an article by Rane <http://www.rane.com/note148.html> that I've
read recently on Mic Preams etc:

There is a huge myth circulating that microphones sound better running from
48 volts, as opposed to, say, 12 volts, or that you can increase the dynamic
range of a microphone by using higher phantom power. *For the overwhelming
majority of microphones both of these beliefs are false. *Most condenser
microphones require phantom power in the range of 12-48 VDC, with many
extending the range to 9-52 VDC, leaving only a very few that actually
require just 48 VDC. The reason is that internally most designs use some
form of current source to drive a low voltage zener (usually 5 volts;
sometimes higher) which determines the polarization voltage and powers the
electronics. The significance is that neither runs off the raw phantom
power, they both are powered from a fixed and regulated low voltage source
inside the mic. Increasing the phantom power voltage is never seen by the
microphone element or electronics, it only increases the voltage across the
current source. *But there are exceptions, so check the manufacturer, and
don't make assumptions based on hearsay.*

I guess the special mic your using might *really* need the 48V, but who
knows... maybe email them?
Good luck, -Harry

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Received on Mon Mar 29 16:15:02 2010