XLR adaptor with phantom power
If you want to connect a condenser microphone to a TS input (e.g. a PC microphone socket or a guitar amp), you will need an adaptor to supply the necessary voltage for your microphone. While some vendors sell phantom adaptors and pre-amps for lots of Euros (or Dollars), this simple circuit should do just as well for most applications.
Note: I do not imply any warranty for this to work. You might as well fry your mike and your computer. It worked for me, but your mileage may vary.
What you need
- one 9V battery
- a connector for the battery may be handy
- two 4.7k resistors
- a female XLR plug
- a male TS plug (large or small, whatever you want to plug it into)
What to do
- connect Pin 1 of the XLR connector to the negative connector of the battery
- pin 2 and 3 each get one of the resistors and a wire to the TS plug
- connect both resistors to the positive connector of the battery
The 4.7k resistors where the first I got my hands on. Larger or smaller resistors may work as well or maybe even better.
Pin 2 and 3 are interchangeable, so it doesn't matter which connector of the TS plug you solder them to.
The battery could probably be flipped (switch + and -). It worked for me the way I drew it, but the other way might make sense, too.
What now
Plug your microphone into the XLR connector and the TS plug wherever you want it. If it works, be happy. If it doesn't, don't blame me.
Good luck!