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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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