# Do You Really Need Phantom Power Supply When Using Mic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear\ **Tags:** microphone, mic\ **Created:** [September 22, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/do-you-really-need-phantom-power-supply-when-using-mic/74856 "2016-09-22T19:56:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Envinite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@Envinite](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Envinite)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/do-you-really-need-phantom-power-supply-when-using-mic/74856/1 "2016-09-22T19:56:58Z")
**Do You Really Need Phantom Power Supply When Using Mic?** 'Sup DJTT, I want to purchase a BM-800 condenser mic for training my speech for my podcast show in the future. It is noted that said mic require a 48v phantom power for the clearest and loudest recording possible. I want to either plug the mic on my laptop’s jack, or my controller Vestax VCI-400 mic inputs (XLR that doubles as 1/4"). FYI : The BM-800 mic comes with XLR plug, and packed with XLR to 1/4" cable. Now, as someone who never own a mic before, I have no idea if I really need the phantom power supply for maximum recording quality. Since the power supply can be pricey, I wonder, does a laptop jack and/or VCI-400 can gives enough power to drives up the mic? If I plug it in to my VCI-400, will it make difference if I use a XLR to XLR connection rather than the XLR to 1/4"? Thanks for the help 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![deevey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/deevey/32/10758_2.png) [@deevey](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/deevey)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2016, 11:22pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/do-you-really-need-phantom-power-supply-when-using-mic/74856/2 "2016-09-22T23:22:58Z")
> [@](#): > > I have no idea if I really need the phantom power supply for maximum recording quality. Yes you do, the mic will sound weak and pretty much have no consistency to the sound - to give you an idea of the differences between powered and unpowered use here’s a great comparison using that very same mic ! [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/7/d/7d47bebc64e1a713dd9d24754878fb50b654bed2.jpeg "Вокальное тестирование микрофона BM-800 c Aliexpress") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aZIsTZKksE) If I were in your shoes I’d either pick up a Phantom Power box or a small mixer like the Behringer 302 for podcasting. ---
**Author:** ![DJ\_Eff](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/dj_eff/32/14976_2.png) [@DJ\_Eff](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/DJ_Eff)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/do-you-really-need-phantom-power-supply-when-using-mic/74856/3 "2016-09-26T16:54:11Z")
Yea, IIRC condensers wont even turn on if you dont have the phantom power. Maybe they do, but are just that low volume. ---
**Author:** ![Envinite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@Envinite](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Envinite)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 4:57am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/do-you-really-need-phantom-power-supply-when-using-mic/74856/4 "2016-09-27T04:57:24Z")
Okay, so I decide to purchase the BM-8000 condenser mic and it’s in delivery. I guess that DJ controller using a power supply, such as VCI 400 that I have, don’t have phantom power on its XLR plug required for condenser mic huh. Well shit, more investment I have to make then 😮 Thanks y’aall. ---
**Author:** ![ImNoDJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/977dab/32.png) [@ImNoDJ](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/ImNoDJ)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 1:39am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/do-you-really-need-phantom-power-supply-when-using-mic/74856/5 "2016-09-28T01:39:43Z")
> [@Envinite](#): > > Okay, so I decide to purchase the BM-8000 condenser mic and it’s in delivery. I guess that DJ controller using a power supply, such as VCI 400 that I have, don’t have phantom power on its XLR plug required for condenser mic huh. > > Well shit, more investment I have to make then 😮 > Thanks y’aall. If you want a good sounding mic recording, you need a good mic and a good preamp. I doubt youll get any benefit from using a condensor on your controller than just using a normal mic as the preamp wont be great. ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jester/32/12996_2.png) [@Jester](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 5:27am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/do-you-really-need-phantom-power-supply-when-using-mic/74856/6 "2016-09-28T05:27:02Z")
Yes, definitely for condenser mics. With my old dynamic mic i could just plug it into my mixer and i was good to go. However, with the new condenser mic i had to buy a power supply (after the fact, much to my annoyance) This does the trick for me, around $40 nzd