Posted by AW on March 04, 2003 at 16:07:09:
In Reply to: Re: Just bought a mixer..could use some tips posted by uhh... correction on February 28, 2003 at 12:01:20:
An electret condensor microphone, although it does not require power to polarize its diaphragm, does need power for the small preamplifier that is an essential part of any practical condenser microphone. Otherwise there would not be a practical amount of signal available.
Condenser microphone = power needed.
"Phantom power" just refers to a clever way of hooking things up so that the small signal (which is AC) can go from the microphone to the mixer or recorder, while the power required for operating the microphone (which is DC) can go from the mixer/recorder to the microphone, all on the same wires. The "phantom" part means that no extra wires are needed. A similar scheme is used for powering preamplifiers mounted on TV antennas.
Allen Walker