Microphone w/ External Phantom Power

**billv** · 03-14-2010, 05:14 PM

I recently installed a cardioid microphone in my car that requires Phantom Power (PE) and since my sound card doesn't provide PE I bought a Behringer PS400 to supply it. The model I bought came with a ac/dc 12V power supply and when I use it, everything works great. After testing I found an old power supply that had same size connector to plug into the PS400 box and wired that connector into my car's 12V power. When I use my car's 12V as the source there is a ton of noise and you can barely make out any words spoken into it. This sort of surprised me since the adaptor was 12 VDC so I thought it would work. Even with engine off and only accessories on, there is still a bunch of noise. To make sure I didn't fry anything I reconnected the provided AC/DC adapter and verified everything still worked, and it does .

Has anybody had any luck wiring in a mic that required PE like I am doing or maybe used a different Phantom Power supply in their setup that works?
Or any suggestions on how I can get what I have working?

My next idea is to buy a phantom power supply that runs off 9V batteries but I'd rather not have to take apart my dash when the batteries die. I also have no idea on how frequent I would have to replace them. If it is once a year that may not be so bad.

Thanks,
Bill

**soundman98** · 03-15-2010, 08:25 AM

so did you hook it up to your cars 12-14v power(unregulated-- like a cigarette lighter port) or your regulated computers power supply, and do you use a inverter?

**bratnetwork** · 03-15-2010, 09:05 AM

is this a PC microphone that requires phantom or like a standard style mic you would use in a live stage setting. I thought that PE was 48 volts on a standard recording / live mic.

**billv** · 03-15-2010, 06:05 PM

Yah, tried both actually. It was a little better on the PC 12V but still sounded like phone conversations where from a galaxy far beyond (I spliced into 1 of the molex connectors Yellow/Black). I haven't tried an inverter yet but I did purchase one last night off ebay (12VDC/110AC). I'm really hoping that will do the trick. Even though the Behringer PS is listed as a standard 12VDC 150mA supply maybe it's producing another element that is needed.

It is a standard style mic. It is an Audio-Technica ES947. The PS400 has a toggle for 12V/48V. When I had it working with home's AC power it was switched to 48V setting (I used same setting when running off car power).