Phantom Blocker

I just learned about the Phantom Blocker from die-hard Podcast Engineering Show listener Michael Merlino. It’s made by Triton Audio, the same company that makes the Fethead.

Phantom Blocker blocks phantom power while leaving the audio signal intact. Phantom power can be applied to either the male or the female side of Phantom Blocker’s XLR connector and will not reach the opposing XLR connector, the audio signal travels without restriction in both directions.

*It’s very handy when plugging in a combination of condenser and dynamic microphones into an audio interface that by default sends phantom power to ALL inputs simultaneously regardless of which inputs need phantom power or not. Using the Phantom Blocker will avoid any potential damage to dynamic microphones caused by unnecessary phantom power.

Here’s the insightful note I received from Michael Merlino:

I wanted to quickly let you know what happened with my 3 mic blow out (1 Q2U and 2 ATR2100s). Learning a ton from your show but still a newbie. But what happened to me could pretty much happen to anyone and I found a solution if needed in the future to prevent it from happening again.

This may be a good daily goodie for ya so here’s quickly what happened. Had this confirmed via Focusrite USA tech support today.

So before I started messing with mics, I did not readily know that condenser mics DO NOT need phantom power as you know. I think what happened is that when I was testing each mic I had phantom power turned.

The issue with the 2i2 is that when you turn phantom on it sends it to both XLR connections. So if the only mic connected is dynamic mic or 1 of the 2 is dynamic, you can easily blast the mic with more power than it can handle and pretty much fry it. I could have done something else in the chain but I doubt it. I think the 3 mics I blew happened because I had the phantom power button turned on..

I did find out that this phantom power mistake must be an issue because triton audio has a product it its fethead line called “Phantom blocker” It sells for $45 and connects to either end of your XLR cable to prevent a charge of phantom power from reaching a dynamic mic. It protects the mic but still allows a clean signal from the mic to the 2i2 or any other audio
interface.

Anyway, figured it out after talking to focusrite tech support today and reasoning thru it.

Moral of the story. When you have an interface that sends phantom to all XLR connections on the unit NEVER use phantom power. I don’t think this is an issue with larger Focusrite units because you can send phantom to one bank of 4 XLRs for condensers and the other bank remains phantom free to use with dynamic mics or other inputs.

It would help if there was a phantom button off and on for each XLR connection but for a low end interface like the 2i2 for $169 bucks I doubt they will mess with that.

Thanks Michael!

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