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Does the Shure SM57 Microphone Need Phantom Power

By bestmicrophones.net In , ,

Are you considering the Shure SM57 microphone and wondering whether it needs phantom power? That is a good question to consider before purchasing a microphone like the SM57.

The answer is that because the Shure SM57 is a dynamic microphone, and not a condenser microphone, the Shure SM57 DOES NOT require phantom power.

What is phantom power?

Certain microphones, such as condenser microphones, need external power to work.

Phantom power is the name for the process of providing DC (direct current) power to microphones which require it.

Phantom power is provided to a microphone by a audio interface or a mixing board via the microphone cable.

You will often see phantom power labeled as 48V or +48V on audio interfaces such as those made by Focusrite. To use phantom power, simply connect the mic to the cable and the cable to the interface, then push the 48V button on.

Dynamic microphones such as the Shure SM57, unlike condensers, do not have the same type of active electronic circuitry inside, and therefore do not require phantom power in order to work.

Originally condenser microphones had to get their power from an external, stand alone power supply unit.

Later on, manufacturers such as Neumann wanted to eliminate this extra, often bulky power supply and created a new way of providing it: through the mixing board and via the mic cable.

Because there was no longer a visible extra power supply unit that people could see, they named the new way of providing power “phantom power.”

Additional related information about the Shure SM57 Microphone, and types of microphones:

Be sure to check out our full review of the Shure SM57 microphone

Learn whether the Shure SM57 is good for vocals (you might be surprised)

Find out the difference between condenser and dynamic microphones

Does the Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone Need Phantom Power?

By bestmicrophones.net In , , ,

This is a question that people considering a Shure SM58 microphone sometimes ask. And it is definitely a good idea to know whether this iconic vocal mic requires phantom power before you make a purchase.

The answer is that the Shure SM58 is a dynamic microphone, rather than a condenser microphone, and therefore it DOES NOT require phantom power.

One caveat, which would apply only to a smaller group of SM58 users, is that if you plan to use the Shure SM58 in conjunction with a mic activator such as the Cloudlifter-CL, then you would need phantom power as the Cloudlifter does require phantom power. A mic activator adds clean gain.

Most users of the Shure SM58 do not use it with a Cloudlifter-CL, so this would not apply, and as said above, no phantom power is needed. That said, we do think the mic sounds a little bit better with a mic activator. But it is a great mic no matter what, which is why the Shure SM58 made our list of The Best Microphones for Recording Vocals

Also, be sure to check out our review of the Shure SM58 dynamic microphone

Bonus info: How do you use phantom power for a microphone on an audio interface?

If you do ever need to use phantom power for a microphone, it’s easy to do.

First, connect the microphone to the mic cable and the mic cable to the audio interface.

Most audio interfaces have a button to turn on the phantom power. It is usually labeled something such as 48V or +48V. Most of the time, if you activate the phantom power, the button will then light up to show it is turned on and active. Depending on the number of inputs on the audio interface, there may be more than one phantom power button and you have to have the correct one turned on. Often times, each phantom power button provides phantom power for a certain number of the inputs.

If you are using a mic that requires phantom power, you will not get any sound out of the mic until it is turned on. Once the phantom power is turned on and active, you will be able to hear sound coming through the microphone.

Mixers can also provide phantom power.

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