Phantom power question

[Inconnu]

Hi!
I do basic amateur recording at home. I’m using a Presonus Studio 1824c interface in which a SansAmp RBI, another DI/preamp are plugged in permanently in XLR as well as a synthesizer (plugged with 1/4 jacks). I recently acquired my first mic that requires phantom power (I only had an SM57 before that). The Presonus sends 48 volts phantom power to all inputs at once.

The question: is it safe to leave the RBI and everything else plugged in while the phantom power is on?

 

[BrianVengeance]

Shouldn't be an issue to run phantom power to anything that doesn't use it. It is generally good practice to turn it off before unplugging things that do use it though (e.g., your mic).

 

[hbarcat]

I'll second the advice given above. Using phantom power with devices that don't need it won't do any harm. Just make absolutely sure to avoid plugging in and unplugging devices from channels while phantom power is engaged because that can cause damage.

 

[Sam Evans]

I'm a bit unclear about this as well, but I came across similar concerns at the Keyboard Corner that might be relevant to the OP's decision:

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[Mike Caldwell]

I'm a bit unclear about this as well, but I came across similar concerns at the Keyboard Corner that might be relevant to the OP's decision:

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Not all mixers send phantom power to all inputs with push of a single button. Many have per channel phantom power switching both analog and digital.

That said a DI box or a 1 to 1 isolation transformer will block phantom power.

 

[nono]

Anything plugged with 1/4" jacks is out of the equation, your audio interface only transmits phantom power on its XLR ins. Anything that can take phantom as a power source, so at least probably your DI, can handle it, and I'm not worried about your sansamp.

The only potential issue is if you have cheap microphones (not your SM57 but I seem to recall something about the Shure PG48 for example); some of them can leak power through their metal enclosures, which can be dangerous to the handler (but probably not to the hardware itself).