If you are looking for some way of boosting your Electro Voice RE20, then you might want to consider phantom power.
This is when a current of electricity can be sent through the wire of your microphone cable.
All microphones will need a little bit of power going into the internal amplifier that is kept inside each one.
You can either get this microphone from traditional sources, or you can provide it through the mixing desk using phantom power.
But how can you get this to work well with your RE20 microphone? How can you get phantom power to come from your mixing desk?
Are there other methods of powering your RE20? Well, get these questions answered and a whole lot more by reading on…
What Is Phantom Power?
Phantom power is a small amount of electrical current that comes from the mixing desk. This is built into most mixing desks.
Depending on what mixer you have, there are many different methods of activating your phantom power.
An RE20 microphone is particularly responsive to your mixing board’s phantom power switch. Unlike a condenser microphone, a dynamic microphone such as the RE20 can benefit from a few extra volts of power (also see, ‘Best Condenser Mic‘).
You’ll need to make sure that you have read your mixing board’s manual to make sure that your board’s phantom power is activated correctly.
To activate the phantom power on your mixer, look for a switch labeled “Phantom Power” or “+48V” and make sure it is turned to the “on” position.
Some mixers may have multiple switches for different channels; others may require you to press a combination of buttons and knobs.
Once the phantom power is activated, your mixer will now provide enough current to run any dynamic microphone with built-in electronics that require it. The extra current from the phantom power helps boost the microphone’s sensitivity and output level, allowing for more detailed recordings.
You’ll need to make sure that your microphone is connected using an XLR cable.
The red cable from the mixing desk should be connected to the power supply located in your XLR cable.
You should then take the black cable, otherwise known as the negative cable, which is connected to the sleeve of the XLR cable.
Using Phantom Power With Your Mixer
If you look across your mixing desk, you might find a switch either indicated with the letter ‘P’ or the letters and numbers ‘48V’.
Once this phantom power switch has been activated, then you’ll need to connect the microphone to your mixing desk.
Now you should be able to hear your microphone through your speakers.
However, if it is too quiet or loud, then you might have to adjust the input levels on your microphone.
If you are not using phantom power with your microphone then you might not be getting the best sound quality. Condenser microphones, especially a cheap condenser mic, require phantom power to function.
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How Can You Get The Best Sound From Your Mic?
If you are using an RE20 microphone, then you’ll want to make sure that you are getting the best sound quality.
One of the main things you’ll want to do first is to make sure that the phantom power switch on your mixing desk is properly activated.
You’ll also need to make sure that your sound source is close to the broadcast microphones.
So if you are speaking through your mic, make sure that your mouth is somewhere between 2 and 4 inches away from the head of the microphone itself.
If you are recording from multiple sources such as dynamic broadcast mics, then you will need to make sure that these sources are kept at a sufficient distance away from each other.
This way you can be sure that there will be no bleed from your recording devices, such as one sound source to another mic, as this will muddy the final mix.
You should try not to block the direction of the sound source to the microphone. Make sure that the sound waves can travel through the air unimpeded.
If you are recording through a partition, then this will muffle the final audio.
Make sure that all the plosives (those are the harsh P sounds that you sometimes hear through your microphone) are reduced by investing in a pop shield (also see,’ What Does A Pop Filter Do‘).
This will improve the overall sound quality of your recordings.
If you follow these few tips, then you will definitely improve the sound quality of most of your recordings.
RE20 Microphone Applications
Acoustic Guitar
You can record vocals and acoustic guitars with this kind of microphone.
If you are recording an acoustic guitar, you’ll need to make sure that your RE20 microphone is placed roughly 12 inches away from the lower portion of the guitar where the strings are being plucked.
Recording Vocals
You can also record vocals crystal clear with this type of microphone. Again, you’ll want to make sure that your microphone is kept around 12 inches away from the sound.
You’ll also want to invest in a pop shield to reduce those harsh plosive sounds.
ALSO SEE: What Is The Best Dynamic Microphone for Vocals
Drums
You can also record loud audio sources such as drums with this microphone, but you’ll have to be careful about where you place it. Dynamic mics like the RE20 require more gain than condenser mics, so be aware of potential feedback and use a pop filter if needed.
This is because drums make a much louder sound than guitars and vocals, so you’ll need to maintain the correct distance between the sound source and recorder.
If you are recording the snare of your drum, then you should replace the microphone above it.
This is where a majority of the sound waves will be transmitted on a snare. It should be around 4 inches away from the surface of your snare drum.
If you are recording the high hats, we would recommend you place your RE20s above 6 inches away from the top of the cymbals.
For kick drum recording, your microphone will have to be placed a lot further away, as this makes a much louder sound.
We would suggest placing it around 2 feet away from your kick drum and having it face directly toward the beater.
Why Should You Use An RE20 Microphone?
One of the reasons why you might want to use an RE20 is the fact that it does utilize phantom power.
This will give you much more control over your sound output and you won’t have to rely on an external power source.
This is a dynamic mic, which means that unlike a lot of other microphones, it comes with an internal amplifier.
Using phantom power with your microphone will give you a crisper and cleaner sound, especially if you record in a soundproof environment or a recording studio.
It will also be more consistent, meaning that you won’t have issues such as crackling or feedback.
Conclusion
We hope that this guide to using phantom power with your RE20 microphone has helped you to better understand why you might want to use this unique mixing board feature with your microphone.
