Do Wireless Mics Need Phantom Power?

Phantom power has a very mysterious air to it. In reality, it is quite simple and useful as compared to the slightly scary name it has. It is a helpful method to activate microphones.

Certain microphones are dependent on phantom power for their operation such as condenser microphones. 

But what about the wireless microphones? Do they need phantom power? Let’s find out in this read.

Do Wireless Microphones Require Phantom Power to Function?

No, wireless microphones do not need phantom power as they depend on battery power for their operation. Supplying a wireless mic with phantom power can even damage the mic. Phantom power is mostly around 48 volts which is strong enough to fry the acoustic mechanisms and power of the wireless mics. It can even overload their battery. Only the wired condenser microphones need phantom power to function.

Let’s discuss this in more detail now.

Understanding Phantom Power

Phantom power refers to the technique of providing DC voltage to the microphone via a mic cable. Primarily condenser microphones need this power supply. This voltage powers the mic’s active electronics like the impedance converter and microphone preamplifier.

Typically, a microphone preamp, dedicated phantom powering equipment, and mixer are used to provide phantom power to a microphone that needs it.

I have talked in detail about phantom power supply and its origins in another article. Feel free to navigate it to brush your knowledge of phantom power.

So Why Don’t Wireless Mics Need Phantom Power Like Condenser Microphones?

A wireless microphone does not rely on DC voltage from phantom power like a condenser microphone for different reasons.

They Have Self-Powered Transmitters

Wireless mics comprise of two main parts: a transmitter and receiver.

The performer or user holds the transmitter or wears it. It consists of an integrated connector or microphone capsule for another microphone used externally. 

Usually, the transmitters function on battery power, hence they don’t need phantom power.

Receiver Is In Charge of Accepting Wireless Signals

The receiver in a wireless microphone is in charge of obtaining the wireless signals sent by the transmitter. It also converts those signals into audio signals.

Now the receivers get their power supply from AC power adapters or batteries. They too, like the transmitters, do not depend on phantom power for their operation.

So basically the working mechanism of wireless microphones is as such that they don’t need the assistance of phantom power to work.

But what about a wireless mic which is also a condenser microphone?

Do Wireless Mic Systems Using Condenser Microphones Need Phantom Power?

Some wireless mic systems do use a condenser microphone. A condenser microphone does require phantom power supply for its usual operation when it is used with a wired setup.

However, wireless microphones that use a condenser microphone have a different internal electronic system. They get their power supply from the transmitter that is used in the wireless system.

For this very reason, a wireless mic system using a condenser mic does not seek phantom power supply from an outside source. 

This ambiguity is now cleared too, right? Now you must be thinking about the situation with a dynamic microphone? Let’s get to it then.

Do Wireless Mic Systems Using A Dynamic Microphone Need Phantom Power?

A lot of wireless microphone systems have a dynamic microphone capsule fixed in their transmitters.

A dynamic microphone never needs phantom power because it uses the electromagnetic induction principle to generate its signal that is converted into an audio signal.

In fact, a dynamic microphone can undergo phantom power damage if you supply it with phantom power.

What Happens If You Supply Phantom Power to A Wireless Microphone?

You don’t need to give phantom power to wireless microphones as we have established it doesn’t need it. Doing so can even completely damage it. 

The damage can happen to the mic system too, but basically it affects the wireless transmitter and any accessory attached to the mic system. In most cases, the accessories used with wireless mics include adapters, splitters and inline amplifiers.

If any of these accessories are basically created to be used with a condenser microphone, they can pass the phantom power supply to the wireless mics too. As a result, they will harm them.

The damage typically happens to the wireless transmitter and not the receiver. Mostly, the wireless receiver has an XLR jack that protects it from phantom power.

Coming back to the damage that occurs. Well, that happens due to two main reasons.

Electromagnetic Interference

Phantom power can result in electromagnetic interference (EMI) in wireless mics. This in turn negatively impacts the mic’s performance.

Phantom power is supplied from an external power source, usually a preamp. When an external power source is placed too close to wireless mics, it generates electromagnetic fields. These fields obstruct the transmission of the wireless signals.

Moreover, lighting fixtures, power cables, dimmer switches, speakers and other electronics can also cause EMI. Due to this interference, you are likely to experience voice dropouts, noise, distortion and signal problems.

It can also fry the microphone system, and with that your money invested in it too.

Connection Errors

In case you mistakenly connect phantom power to the microphone input of wireless mics, you are likely to damage the wireless transmitters or even receivers.

Since wireless mics aren’t created such that they can handle phantom power supply, providing them with the latter can completely injure them.

So are there any precautions that we can take when using wireless microphones while having a phantom power source nearby?

Precautions to Exercise When Using Wireless Microphones and Phantom Power

To ensure you don’t experience any issues or inconveniences when using a wireless microphone and phantom power, take care of the following:

• Always make sure to disable the phantom power supply on all the audio devices you have connected to your wireless microphone.
• Before using your mic, check the guidelines for using it correctly. Also, check if the manual mentions any special or phantom power requirements.
• If you are using additional cables or accessories, get the ones compatible with a wireless microphone system.
• Inspect your equipment on a daily basis to ensure it functions optimally.
• Repair or change any broken or damaged cables.
• Keep unnecessary electrical equipment away from your wireless microphone.

If you strictly adhere to these guidelines, you will keep your wireless microphone in good condition.

Wrapping Up

The entire argument above clearly shows that phantom power is a big NO when it comes to wireless microphones.

These microphones are self-sufficient when it comes to power supply, so they don’t need any external power source. The next time you use a wireless system, keep phantom power far off from it.

Frequently Asked Questions