Better to use Phantom Power or Battery for the Olympus LS-100?

[theprestige]

So I brought a lav mic, the Sony ECM 77B to use for interviews on my Olympus LS-100. It can be powered via Phantom Power or with the battery.

Now, my knowledge on audio is very very limited, so forgive me, but which would bring out the best quality, phantom power or battery??

 

[Rick R]

The mic element itself only requires bias current, typically 5 volts or less, so Phantom Power is converted in the power module to power the element. In some mics, it may increase the sensitivity slightly, but other than that, would sound the same unless the module battery is close to dead. PP is considered more reliable... though in this case it would draw power from the recorder's internal batteries.

 

[theprestige]

a

The mic element itself only requires bias current, typically 5 volts or less, so Phantom Power is converted in the power module to power the element. In some mics, it may increase the sensitivity slightly, but other than that, would sound the same unless the module battery is close to dead. PP is considered more reliable... though in this case it would draw power from the recorder's internal batteries.

Thank you for your response. I think it's probably more practical to go with a plug in bat then. Cheers.

 

[Rick R]

Phantom Power seems to eat the internal batteries of the many portable recorders (regardless of the mic). I had a couple of ECM 55s and always used the AA power module battery, unless it was with an AC powered console mixer. Negligible sound difference between Phantom Pwr. and the internal AA. I suggest you do your own test though. FWIW, the original ECM 50 lav, did not have the Phantom Pwr. option and ran on an 'N' cell.