Plugging a phantom powered mic next to a non-phantom powered mic?

C

commercialguy

Member
I have a Sennheiser G3 Wireless Lav, Sennheiser 416 shotgun mic and a Tascam DR-40 digital recorder. The Tascam DR-40 has a switch on the side the defaults to mic, but can be switched to mic+phantom to power the Sennheiser 416 with the Tascam. My concern is the Sennheiser G3 wireless lav runs on batteries. Would this extra boost of energy cause problems with my G3 lav if I have them both plugged into the Tascam at the same time?

I read that plugging and unplugging mics to recorders/mixers with phantom mode on them can damage mics because the Tascam would basically be sending extra energy to the Sennheiser G3 that it doesn't need, throwing off the voltage.

Are pro audio guys separating their phantom and non-phantom mics?
 
Phantom power should not be used in conjunction with unbalanced inputs. Some devices can be damaged, though aside from draining the recorder's batteries, I don't 'think' the G2/3 receiver would sustain damage.. An external Phantom Power supply could be used for 416 or a Phantom Power filter such as the Sescom SES-IL-PPB for the receiver's input channel.
 
The G2 portable system doesn't like it..... I've had one RX damaged by phantom power, had to be sent in for repairs.
 
That's odd, my G2 has never objected? Mind you, the combo connector doesn't put phantom on the line, unbalanced input - which would be great, but then Tascam mess it up by making the mic/line switching apply to BOTH inputs!

Mind you - if you really wanted to do it, a small capacitor would easily block the DC, and allow normal operation - or maybe just a small transformer based DI box?
 
If you *have* to plug the G3 into a mic. input (line input is much better), then talk to Sennheiser and put a blocking capacitor into the XLR to prevent the phantom o=power getting to the output of the receiver.
 
I have exactly the same problem. Tascam DR40 , Rode NTG1 using phantom power and a Sennheiser G3 wireless set up. I wonder if it is possible that Sennheiser would do an XLR converter with a switch in for powered/unpowered XLR?

The alternative is to re-wire the DR40?

OR to have bought a Rode NTG2 (powered) mic in the first place :-)


Just has a silly thought.... is it possible to use the other G3 supplied cable 3.5mm Jack to 3.5mm jack. Then use a 3.5 to 1/4 inch jack converter and use that input on the DR40? and the Phantom powered XRL mic in the other XLR socket?
 
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"is it possible to use the other G3 supplied cable 3.5mm Jack to 3.5mm jack. Then use a 3.5 to 1/4 inch jack converter and use that input on the DR40? and the Phantom powered XRL mic in the other XLR socket?"
- The external in 1/4" TRS connector on the DR40 is wired in the same balanced configuration as it's companion XLR and controlled by the global 'Ext. in' Line/Mic/Mic+Phantom Pwr. switch. So it's not really possible to use one input as line and the other as mic.
 
GOOD NEWS.......... I contacted Sennheiser UK and asked them they said:-

"The EK 100 G3 does have phantom power protection. We would still recommend turning phantom power off where possible, but in your set up you will be ok to leave it on."

Specifically my set up will be the Tascom DR40 with Phantom power on and the Sennheiser EK100 G3 reciver with the CL100 3.5mm jack to XLR. (and a Rode NTG-1 mic)

NOTE Sennheiser also said : "the forums are correct - the G2 did not have this protection.."

So G3 will work with phantom power on (though they recommend its OFF) but the G2 series will not work with Phantom Power.
 
I don't know how this will affect battery life w/ the DR40. In my SD 302 set-up, if I inadvertently leave Phantom Pwr enabled with a G3's (or G2) (mic) channel, overall battery life is significantly reduced and got the low battery warning again soon after installing new batteries., which alerted me to the condition. It may be different with the DR40 though.. I never used a DR40 in that configuration, so I would be interested in your findings.
 
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