Phantom power with condenser mics?

scorsesefan

scorsesefan

Veteran
Up until now I have been using batteries in the capsule to power my Rode NTG2 connected to a Tascam DR-100 MKII but one of the audio guys at BH mentioned that I should be using phantom power with my mic -- does anyone know if a). this is true b). if so, why?

Thanks
 
Condensers, by nature, require some sort of external power supply to operate. This typically comes from phantom power (generally +48v). There are some condensers, like your NTG-2, that can operate either on phantom or on an internal battery.

Which one should you use? Well, you may notice a slightly lower output on battery, but do tests and see if it has enough of an impact to make a difference that you do not like. Other than that, it's really a matter of running the DR-100mkII's batteries down faster. With cheaper pre-amps, it's almost a "6 of one, half-dozen of the other" choice.

Once you have the justification to invest in something that will make a notable difference, get a mixer to feed your recorder. A good mixer with really good pre-amps, such as from Sound Devices, will offer a higher-quality (and cleaner) signal preamplification, allowing you to feed line-level to the recorder and basically bypass (or in recorders that aren't wired to bypass, at least minimize) the recorder's pre-amps.
 
Some advantages to running on phantom power are:
1) Many microphones have higher dynamic range and/or higher output running on phantom vs. battery.
2) You don't have the hassle of keeping fresh batteries in the microphone.
3) You eliminate the possibility that you forget and leave a battery in which then leaks and ruins the mic.
4) You have a MUCH MUCH wider range of microphones to choose from, as only a small fraction have internal battery option.

A disadvantage to running on phantom power is:
1) If you are using battery-operated gear, it will eat through batteries at a significantly higher rate than if it isn't generating phantom power.
It is quite possible that this disadvantage overbalances any of those advantages above.
 
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Thanks, guys, for the quick answers! Very helpful... I ran a quick test with phantom on/off and "on" def. gives a hotter signal but it seem like the preamp noise is a bit higher, too (my imagination?)... Alex, I work in mostly verite, so a higher output would be preferable as I don't boom (use pistol grip) and can't always get as close as I like to the subjects... Richard, eating through batteries is a concern because I am working on a doc that takes me out to the bay and ocean, often without power sources -- do you know the approximate battery life of the dr-100 running on phantom?... I would like to pick up a better mic like the Rode NTG3 or Sennheiser mhk-416 with a Sound Devices 702 but it's not in my budget yet :(
 
You will have to do your own test. It depends on many factors, not the least of which is the brand/model/batch/age of the particular batteries you use.
 
Generally mics are often stated to be few dBs quieter and have a higher SPL rating on Phantom Pwr., opposed to batteries, but the difference is usually negligible.
I've been powering (most of) my bag rig from external battery packs for years, the initial cost can be rather high, but it's more reliable and predictable. The 'internal' batteries can be used for 'back-up' as well.
 
Rick R said:
Generally mics are often stated to be few dBs quieter and have a higher SPL rating on Phantom Pwr., opposed to batteries, but the difference is usually negligible.
I've been powering (most of) my bag rig from external battery packs for years, the initial cost can be rather high, but it's more reliable and predictable. The 'internal' batteries can be used for 'back-up' as well.
Click to expand...
Rick, can you explain SPL rating? I thought a higher SPL meant a mic capable of handling a stronger signal...
 
Yes, it means that the microphone can handle louder sounds before clipping or distorting. Part of the phenomenon is physical, but part is electronic. Higher supply voltage (12-48V) means that the electronics have more "headroom" than operating from an internal battery (typically 1.5 ~ 3 V).
 
Richard Crowley said:
Yes, it means that the microphone can handle louder sounds before clipping or distorting. Part of the phenomenon is physical, but part is electronic. Higher supply voltage (12-48V) means that the electronics have more "headroom" than operating from an internal battery (typically 1.5 ~ 3 V).
Click to expand...
Got it. Thanks
 
Richard Crowley said:
Some advantages to running on phantom power are:
1) Many microphones have higher dynamic range and/or higher output running on phantom vs. battery.
2) You don't have the hassle of keeping fresh batteries in the microphone.
3) You eliminate the possibility that you forget and leave a battery in which then leaks and ruins the mic.
4) You have a MUCH MUCH wider range of microphones to choose from, as only a small fraction have internal battery option.

A disadvantage to running on phantom power is:
1) If you are using battery-operated gear, it will eat through batteries at a significantly higher rate than if it isn't generating phantom power.
It is quite possible that this disadvantage overbalances any of those advantages above.
Click to expand...



Basically the definitive answer. :thumbup:
 
scorsesefan said:
Thanks, guys, for the quick answers! Very helpful... I ran a quick test with phantom on/off and "on" def. gives a hotter signal but it seem like the preamp noise is a bit higher, too (my imagination?)...
Click to expand...

Make sure the levels are the same when you compare - the pre-amp noise would normally be higher on the battery as it's having to amplify more to get the same level.
 
John Willett said:
Make sure the levels are the same when you compare - the pre-amp noise would normally be higher on the battery as it's having to amplify more to get the same level.
Click to expand...
Thanks, John. When I tested the two the levels were the same but the phantom was definitely a few DB higher. I am going to use phantom from now on -- I previously owned a DR-100 original where phantom was unusable with the NTG-2 but that seems to be corrected in the MKII. Once bitten twice shy!
 
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