By Tug·July 19, 2026·5 min read

Do You Need Phantom Power?

You need phantom power for a condenser microphone. You do not need it for a dynamic microphone, and it will not harm one. And you should be careful with ribbon microphones, because phantom power can damage some of them. That is the whole answer in three lines. Here is what phantom power is and how it works when you record into a phone.

Condenser yes, dynamic no, ribbon careful

Condenser mics, the kind used for most studio vocals and detailed acoustic work, need phantom power to work at all. Dynamic mics, like the classic handheld stage and podcast mics, do not need it, and leaving it on does not hurt them.

Ribbon mics are the exception to watch. Many older, passive ribbon mics can be damaged by phantom power, while some modern active ribbons actually require it. Never switch phantom on for a ribbon mic without checking that specific mic.

What phantom power is

Phantom power is a small voltage, almost always 48 volts, sent up the microphone cable from your interface or mixer to power the electronics inside a condenser mic. On the gear it is labelled +48V or phantom, usually as a button you switch on.

It travels on the same cable that carries the audio, which is why it is called phantom. You do not need a separate power supply for the mic, the interface provides it.

Which mics need it

Condenser mics need it, so switch phantom on for those. Dynamic mics do not need it and are not harmed by it, so you can leave phantom on or off with a dynamic connected. USB mics and a phone's built-in mic do not use phantom at all, since they are powered a different way.

For ribbon mics, check the manual. A passive vintage ribbon can be damaged by phantom power, because a wiring fault can push that 48 volts across the thin ribbon element and stretch or tear it, while a modern active ribbon may actually need it. When in doubt with a ribbon, leave phantom off until you have confirmed.

How it works with an iPhone

The phantom power comes from your audio interface or mixer, not from the phone. So the setup is: plug a condenser mic into a class-compliant interface, switch on the interface's +48V, connect the interface to the iPhone, and record. The phone never supplies phantom itself.

A small habit that saves your ears and speakers: switch phantom on before you raise the gain, and switch it off before unplugging the mic, to avoid loud pops.

Where Reel fits

Reel records whatever the interface sends it, so phantom power is set on the interface, not in the app. Plug your condenser into an interface with phantom, switch on +48V, connect to the phone, arm a track and record in clean 32-bit float.

See how Reel works

A quick tour of Reel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a dynamic mic need phantom power?

No. Dynamic microphones do not need phantom power, and leaving it switched on does not harm them. Only condenser mics need it. This is why you can safely record a dynamic mic with phantom on or off.

Can phantom power damage a microphone?

It can damage some ribbon microphones, especially older passive ones, so never apply it to a ribbon mic without checking the manual. Condenser mics need it and dynamic mics are unaffected by it, so the caution is specifically about ribbons.

What is 48V phantom power?

It is a 48 volt supply sent up the mic cable from an interface or mixer to power a condenser microphone's internal electronics. It is labelled +48V or phantom on the gear and is switched on with a button.

How do I use phantom power with an iPhone?

The phantom power comes from your audio interface, not the phone. Plug a condenser mic into a class-compliant interface, switch on its +48V, connect the interface to the iPhone and record. Switch phantom on before raising gain and off before unplugging.