Question about 48v phantom power (European voltage if it matters)

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jbow
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2011/10/08 11:35:48 (permalink)

Question about 48v phantom power (European voltage if it matters)

My daughter lives in Germany, she is just gettig into audio recording though she has a decade of experience in creating DnB music. So she bought an M-Audio keyboard/interface combo but it does not have phantom power. Not realizing she might need it, she bought a Shure condenser mic while visiting here (USA) that requires 48v power. She bought an XLR cable with the mic and we went yesterday to get some strings and a tuner for her and she picked up a 3' XLR cable.
She is going to wait to buy a 48v PS in Germany because of the difference in voltage, I think it is all 240 over there and 120 here.
 
Will the microphone> longer XLR cable> 48v PS> 3'XLR> interface> to computer by USB work? ... and is 48v phantom power all created equal or should she pay more for a better one. We looked at the ART Tube MP V# yesterday but they also have one without the presets etc for half the price. Any thoughts on what she should get or not get to avoid making a mistake? She uses a Macbook. She was using Reason4 and Garageband but just downloaded Reaper. She will be micing vocals mostly. She has an acoustic/electric and a Gibson LP so she can go direct with guitars but she may want to mic them some too, I don't know.
 
Any suggestions or thoughts are appreciated!!
 
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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Question about 48v phantom power (European voltage if it matters) 2011/10/08 13:30:22 (permalink)
    The power supply for the Art Tube should be rated for the proper input voltage... if it is, the output voltage of 48v will be fine.

    Many computer power supplies (for lappys) are now designed to work on a wide variety of input voltages from 100v on the low end to 240v on the high end.  This design allows them to build ONE power supply that can be used anywhere in the world. All you need is the plug adapter to be able to plug it in to the wide variety of outlet configurations. 

    If you buy the Art in Germany, the PS should be fine there. If she buys it here, just look at the power supply input ratings. If it's 120v specific then she'll need to get a voltage converter. I think I've seen them in Walmart for around $10. I bought one years ago from SkyMall... it was more than $10 but it has worked flawlessly in several countries that have 200+volts on their outlets.   I use it here to charge my MP3 player with it's USB port. 

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    Shadow of The Wind
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    Re:Question about 48v phantom power (European voltage if it matters) 2011/10/08 17:46:54 (permalink)
    I looked at the replacement power supply. It is a 9V AC power supply, and it is rated 230V (not 100 - 240 V). 230V / 50 Hz is the standard in Europe.
    http://www.thomann.de/de/art_netzteil_fuer_tube_mp_serie.htm
    If you want to use a DC supply, it may work. However, you may need more than 9V, probably 12V. If you want to avoid the hassle, buy the preamp in Germany.
    By the way: Many people (even in Germany) are not aware of the fact that anything you buy comes with a 2-year warranty. If the device fails because of an manfacturing defect , you can return it to the shop. The shop has to repair it or replace it at no cost. If (only if) they cannot repair or replace it, they have to give you the money back. You will need the original receipt.

    Wilko
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    offnote
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    Re:Question about 48v phantom power (European voltage if it matters) 2011/10/08 17:55:41 (permalink)
    48V is 48V - same as here in US as in Europe or on the Moom so don't worry be happy.
    I have brought with me lot's of hardware, mikes, keyboards to Europe from US.
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