Remove phantom power from mic line

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gbarrett
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2012/02/22 21:26:06 (permalink)

Remove phantom power from mic line

My live sound board doesn't let me switch off phantom power on individual channels. My computer audio box doesn't like phantom power on the balanced outs. I need to somehow strip or filter off the phantom power from the line but the only things I find commercially available are DI boxes and that will get expensive very quickly. It seems to me that just a simple filter circuit would work, but I can't find any schematics. Any ideas? Thanks!

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#1

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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Remove phantom power from mic line 2012/02/23 06:39:17 (permalink)
    Once the "power" is on the line there is very little you can do with out using isolation. Typically an isolation transformer would be used for this.

    That's the part in the DI that seems useful in this instance.

    Perhaps you can find another input on your live sound board?

    For example; why not use the line level outs of your computer audio box and then use the line level (unpowered) inputs on your live sound board?

    Is that a possibility in your specific situation?

    best regards,
    mike



    #2
    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Remove phantom power from mic line 2012/02/23 10:12:15 (permalink)

    BTW it has occurred to me that, technically speaking, you may isolate the sound board from the phantom power with coupling capacitors... but your audio signal will travel through those capacitors and so it is usually thought to be an undesirable solution.

    I just checked and sure enough, you can search out "phantom power block" and find info about wiring up some adapters if you want to try it out.


    best regards,
    mike



    #3
    codamedia
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    Re:Remove phantom power from mic line 2012/02/23 10:26:14 (permalink)
    I like Mikes idea of using an alternate output (from his first post), and would approach it from that angle first.

    Another option would depend on how many mics need phantom at any given time.

    If you are only using 1 or 2 mics that need phantom (at one time) then maybe you could look at getting a 2 channel pre for those mics. Turn the Phantom off at the board, and only turn it on at the Pre feeding the mics. Of course, the balanced outs from the pre could go to your board so your workflow really doesn't change.

    If you don't want a full PreAmp, you can buy a dedicated Phantom Power box. I don't know if this one is any good, but here is an example: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SPhantom/ 
    post edited by codamedia - 2012/02/23 10:27:15

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    #4
    Cactus Music
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    Re:Remove phantom power from mic line 2012/02/23 15:16:59 (permalink)
    Excellent advice on both posts there. Phantom power can screw things up when not needed. That's why it's always desirable to have phantom switchable on individual channels or at least in groups of 4.
    Always keep phantom switched off until everything is patched into the board.

    Sometimes there is only 1 mike that needs it so I like codamedia's advice for using a one channel supply.

    Some condenser mikes will have a battery built in, my Shure overheads will run for months on the batteries.

    Another much more advanced solution I know of, is to disconnect the 48 Volt feed inside the boards pre amps from a few channels.

    Johnny V  
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