Question:
Can an old laptop provide phantom power to a USB Audio Interface?
2018-07-15 03:59:56 UTC
I was wanting to get myself a mic setup for recording guitar and vocals, but I have very little money, so I want a USB Audio Interface with phantom power. Will my laptop be able to give it that 48V boost through USB though, or should I buy an AC phantom power supply? I really don't want to buy too much, I'm pretty broke.
Three answers:
Robert J
2018-07-15 07:58:47 UTC
Any properly rated USB port can supply 5V at 500mA.

A USB Audio interface will take no more than that.



Any USB audio interface with phantom power has a little inverter circuit inside that steps up the 5V input to 48V for the mic inputs.



The phantom power circuits only take a tiny amount of power, the interface electronics are the main load.

Any decent quality laptop should be able to run one without problems.



It may need to have the charger connected if the laptop USB ports are power-limited or badly designed.



Some interfaces have an option to also connect a DC supply (eg. 5V, 9V or 12V etc. depending on model) straight to them; that's the best option if your interface has that facility and there are any problems with the laptop.

eg. https://nantelmusique.ca/repository/product/HiRes/RO-UA22-2.JPG



Alternately, get a powered USB hub. The power unit that comes with that then that provides power for connected USB devices and the laptop is purely a data connection to the hub.

eg. https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Individual-Switches-included-HB-UMP3/dp/B00TPMEOYM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1531641481&sr=8-4&keywords=powered+usb+hub



Get the audio interface first ant try it. If it works OK, that's it. You only have to consider other power systems if it has problems.

ps. Use the shortest, thickest USB cable you can from the interface - a too-long or too-thin cable can mess things up than need near maximum power.



As long as the audio interface has phantom capability, you do _not_ need and should not use a separate phantom supply.
David
2018-07-15 07:13:49 UTC
You need to check the specs of the audio interface. USB 2.0 outputs 5V 500mA max so any boosting comes from within the audio adapter not the USB
Norm F
2018-07-15 06:45:47 UTC
+5V no more and no less from USB


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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