What is Phantom Power (48v)?
Phantom Power is a method of sending 48 volts of electricity through an XLR cable to power condenser microphones and active equipment.
Why Phantom Power (48v) Matters for Podcasters
If you plug a condenser microphone into your interface and hear no sound, you likely forgot to turn on Phantom Power. Condenser mics have active electronic circuitry that requires electricity to function. Instead of using batteries, they draw this power directly from the audio interface or mixer through the XLR cable. This is universally labeled as '+48v' on audio gear. It is safe to leave on for most modern dynamic mics (they just ignore it), but it can damage vintage ribbon microphones. Always plug your microphone in *before* turning on Phantom Power to avoid a loud 'pop' that could damage speakers.
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