Legend says that the Phantom of the Opera was originally an audio engineer, but had to retire to haunt an opera house after a face-scarring incident applying the wrong amount of power to a microphone… After the accident, they named applying the proper power to a microphone “Phantom Power” in his honor.
Okay, none of that is true. But phantom power is a way of providing power to a microphone without needing an external power supply or battery. It sends a DC electric current 48 volts through a balanced XLR cable to power the microphone’s internal preamp and diaphragm. Since you only need one XLR cable for both the signal and the power source, this cuts out any bulky external power supplies, meaning you don’t have to carry around as much gear.
Not all microphones require phantom power. Typically, it’s reserved for more sensitive microphones, particularly condensers. If a microphone requires phantom power, it usually runs off 48 volts. However, the official standard for phantom power falls anywhere from 11 to 52 volts of DC power. In most cases, the extra power comes from a mixer or an audio interface.
Want to learn more about the spooky spectacle that is phantom power? Well, you came to the right place!
How can I tell if my microphone needs phantom power?
If you’re wondering whether your microphone requires phantom power to operate, consider the following:
- Check to see if it’s a condenser microphone. If yes, then it probably needs phantom power.
- Is the mic not working, even though it’s plugged into the mixer or audio interface? It might need phantom power.
- Sometimes you’ll find your microphone has a 48V label on the side. That’s a good indication that it requires phantom power.
And if none of these fit your situation, your mic just might be broken. Sorry…
Why do condenser microphones need phantom power?


Condenser microphones, also known as capacitive microphones, have a conductive diaphragm inside placed right next to a metal plate, which makes them more sensitive than other mics. That’s why they’re so good at picking up even the smallest details of sound!
As the diaphragm vibrates, the distance between it and the metal plate creates changes in capacitance, which is essentially the ability of the capacitor to store charge. The closer the plates, the higher the capacitance.
Now, to introduce another nerdy audio engineer word: impedance. Impedance is essentially electrical resistance.
Since condenser microphones have lots of changes in capacitance, they also have outputs with high impedance, meaning they can only produce a very weak current from the diaphragm. The internal preamp serves to lower the impedance and amplify the signal, so you can actually hear it by the time it reaches your mixer or interface. But doing that requires power, and that’s where the need for phantom power comes in.
Low-impedance mics, like dynamic microphones, don’t need preamps to boost their power. They can do just fine on their own — like a strong, independent mic.
Types of microphones that need phantom power
As mentioned above, the most common microphones that require phantom power are condensers. But they’re not the only mics that need a little extra juice.
The rule of thumb is generally if a mic has a preamp, it needs additional power. That goes across the board.
Many USB microphones need extra power to get the preamp going, but they usually get it through the USB connection and not phantom power through an XLR cable. Special mics, like tube condensers, need even more power than phantom power can supply, so they rely on their own external power supply.
Most dynamic and ribbon mics do NOT need phantom power — with a few exceptions, of course.
Can phantom power damage your microphone?
As briefly mentioned above, the short answer is yes. You can damage your microphone with phantom power. But that’s not something you’ll likely encounter.
Applying phantom power could cause the strip of metal or ribbon to receive an overload of voltage which may result in it tearing. It’s recommended to check whether your microphone is active or passive when determining whether you need to apply phantom power upon use. Passive microphones never need phantom power.
The way power flows through the pins of an XLR cord, phantom power would not damage a normally working mic and cable if it’s accidentally turned on. However, if there happens to be an imbalance in the amount of phantom power voltage applied to each pin, then that could damage it.
Here’s how to check if there’s an imbalance:
- Check your XLR cable for humming, buzzing, or crackling sounds.
- Try using a different cord to see if it works.
- Check your cable connections for any loose or faulty connectors.
Remove the cable’s rubber shield to check the inside of the XLR. Whenever you plug in an unfamiliar microphone, make sure phantom power is turned off. Only turn it on once you determine the mic actually needs it. That’s the best way to avoid damaging your mic.
How to activate phantom power


Many audio interfaces and mixers have phantom power built in. All you have to do is look for a button labeled +48v or P48. Then press it!
Just be aware that many mixers and interfaces have global phantom power. That means if you click the fancy +48v button, it activates phantom power on ALL your channels. Higher-end mixers and interfaces have individual phantom power controls for each channel. You’ll usually be able to tell the difference by the number of phantom power buttons on your equipment — but it never hurts to read your user manual, just in case.
However, you may come across some devices that don’t offer this as a feature. As an alternative, it’s common to use a microphone pre-amp or an external power supply that provides phantom power.
If you’re not sure what power supply will work with your microphone, you can check with the manufacturer’s recommendations to see what fits best or call the friendly customer service reps at American Musical Supply. They know all the answers!
Ready to face the power of the phantom?
To tie everything together, condenser microphones need just a little extra juice to power their preamps. The extra juice comes in courtesy of phantom power. On the other hand, dynamic microphones are alright flying solo and don’t require it unless specified.
If you’re considering purchasing a microphone for the first time or just adding another one to your arsenal, AMS has all the recording microphones you could ever want to stock your studio to the rafters.
And if you still have questions after reading this amazing blog, the expert AMS customer service team can help you find the gear that best suits your needs. Give them a call at 800-458-4076. They’re lonely, and they love to talk about gear.
Be sure to stay tuned to our website and social media pages for more info, updates, and interviews. You won’t regret it!

