phantom power for condenser mics

Hi, I'm pretty new to the world of recording. Recently I bought a Rode NT1-A and was going to get an audio interface with phantom power, like the M Audio Fast track. Which was what I did get, but when I bought it I was not paying attention and accidentally bought the one that DOESN'T have phantom power, so obviously the mic won't work.

I'd return the interface but I lost the receipt and so they won't let me give it back. I don't have much money so I don't know if buying the one I DID need is the best idea. I'm thinking that I get a phantom power supply and another XLR cable instead. Is this a good idea? And if so, can you reccommend any? Thanks in advance.

You could probably pick up a small cheap mixer (ie. Bherringer or something) which will have phantom power, or a preamp (DMP3 or the like) for similar cost. These would then plug in to your line in on your interface. ie. mic XLR into mixer/preamp, TRS out into line in on interface.

Another option is a dedicated phantom power unit but I have no idea as to cost. You would have more options with the mixer or preamp. Chances are the preamp might be better than the pre's in the unit you bought.

this is really unbeatable to use in a LOT of applications...I have 2 of them.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-tube-mp-studio-mic-preamp/180581000000000?src=3WWRWXGB&ZYXSEM=0

this is really unbeatable to use in a LOT of applications...I have 2 of them.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-tube-mp-studio-mic-preamp/180581000000000?src=3WWRWXGB&ZYXSEM=0

We use them as preamps for acoustic guitars with passive pickups. I've also used them to solve the OP's problem. Every now and then when recording I have too many condenser mics and not enough phantom power. The ART MP's are perfect for this.

You'd be better off with a small Behringer mixer than that starved plate "tube" thing.

this is really unbeatable to use in a LOT of applications...I have 2 of them.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-tube-mp-studio-mic-preamp/180581000000000?src=3WWRWXGB&ZYXSEM=0


Interesting, I own an ART Tube Mic Preamp and find it to be very noisy and so don't use it.

phantom power for condenser mics

I'm pretty new to the world of recording and was going to get an audio interface with phantom power, like the M Audio Fast track but when I bought it ... DOESN'T have phantom power, so obviously the mic won't work.



The Yamaha Audiogram 3 is very inexpensive and has phantom power.
Love it.
I never touch my M-Audio Fast Track anymore.

http://www.sonicftp.com/news/images/yamaha_audiogram3_angle.jpg

You'd be better off with a small Behringer mixer than that starved plate "tube" thing.

I've had the original Tube MP since it first came out and it was 99$ for me.
Got lots of use out of it.
Personally, I've not had any noise problems with it as previously mentioned.

I tend to agree with the above statement depending on what the OP currently has.
I've downsized greatly in the last couple of years (sold, gave away all my unnecessary rack equipment and JBL4410's) so I purchased a Behringer 1622FX exactly two years ago (220$) which has phantom power and it works great from my perspective.
I've mixed in the box for a long time so I think of a mixer as a glorified patch bay but phantom power makes it very practical, inexpensive approach for me.

Many choices out there.....good luck.

this is really unbeatable to use in a LOT of applications...I have 2 of them.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-tube-mp-studio-mic-preamp/180581000000000?src=3WWRWXGB&ZYXSEM=0

Not sure if the "Tube" aspect of this is real or not (there seems to be a lot of debate about it), but I have used these and they sound good to me.

Alternatively, you could get a phantom power unit for the same or a bit less but for the price the Art unit is pretty much unbeatable.