Phantom Power on Tube Mics?

[johnsonic]

Hey all!

So, I have a fair number of tube mics I've built (D47, D251, couple Matachung C12s), and am working with a band that has a Tascam Model 12, which supplies phantom power to all inputs. Is it dangerous to plug the audio out from my power supply in a 48v charged mic in?

I think I've heard that capacitors stop DC once charged, but could anything make its way up the chain, or could I damage anything?

Thought I'd ask before I just go do it and cry.

Thank you!

 

[Khron]

Shouldn't be an issue, otherwise transformer-output mics or transformer-input preamps wouldn't be a thing.

You will, though, want to plug the mics in before you turn the Tascam (or its phantom power switch) on.

 

[RuudNL]

On a transformer coupled microphone, the output is floating (no ground reference), so no current will flow when phantom power is applied.
(I think I more than 100 times plugged in a tube microphone while phantom power was active. This was never a problem!)