The Xenyx units are well known for underperforming on phantom power. The problem is not voltage but current, and not really meeting the standard requirements for phantom power current supply.
Capacitor mics all vary in their current requirements depending on the electronics they’ve got fitted, so there's no rule of thumb to say that x mixer will power a maximum of y capacitor mics. The more channels the mixer, the bigger the 48v current supply is, but with the cheaper analogue Behringer mixers, none of them are capable of supplying anything like full spec current on all the channels (the digital desks are probably better having had Midas involvement). Behringer are not alone in this, but they fall far shorter of the maximum current supply spec than almost anyone else, especially when more than one or two channels are used. I’ve seen several reports of one mic working fine but then nothing working when two were plugged in.
They are probably using the original DIN spec of 2mA max per channel, and many mixers don’t provide more than 1-2mA. The later IEC spec gives a maximum of 10mA, which is quite high as the most demanding mics rarely need more than 5mA. But a good mixer will provide that if necessary.
If a mic needs more current than the P48 provides, then it simply won’t work.
Very few budget mixer companies give a value for the maximum P48 supply current, and a lot of mics don’t have a current draw rating either (so you need to go looking for tech reviews where this has been measured).
Last edited by Simon Barden; 19-12-2020 at 05:38 PM.
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