• Registered: 2017-03-19
  • Posts: 7

Topic: clipping when phantom power is being switched on/off

Hi,

I have a question about using the condenser mic settings in Totalmix FX.

When I switch 48V on and especially off I get HUGE clips of volume every time... I just take off my headphones while doing it but I fear it may end up damaging my mic still so I'd like to know if there's any way I can fix this...

If relevant:
Using Windows 10 with Fireface UCX and a TLM 102 mic.
On Totalmix, "Hardware input Mic1" boost is set to 10dB and while recording vocals I get a volume reading of around -30dbfs (which i think is way too low anyhow). when I switch on I get a spike of -2db, when off 0VR and red lights.

2 Reply by fl

  • fl
  • S/Mux specialist
  • Offline
  • From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2007-11-12
  • Posts: 266

Re: clipping when phantom power is being switched on/off

The sudden appearance of 48 volts makes a pop on just about any system which supplies phantom power.

It's normal. Your mic will not be harmed.

It's good practice to have your mic pre-amps' gain turned down before turning phantom powering on or off, and to turn down the volume of your headphones and/or speakers.

Frank Lockwood
https://LockwoodARS.com
Fireface 800, Firmware 2.77
Drivers: Win10, 3.125; Mac, 3.36

fl's Website

3 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,444

Re: clipping when phantom power is being switched on/off

Note that the UCX (all our interfaces) have a soft switch on/off for the 48 V. If there is an extreme sound/noise to hear then it is most probably caused by the microphone's own electronics. Also: what prevents you from muting the channel before changing the +48V state?

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2017-03-19
  • Posts: 7

Re: clipping when phantom power is being switched on/off

for some reason in totalmix NONE of my mute buttons seem to be working... maybe it's the way i've set up total mix i'm not sure...  anyhow i guess i have to open total mix and select both phones and my main output channel and lower their volume faders back and forth each time... i wish there was a button for this, or I could simply make the M buttons work.

any idea why the volume is so low? the peaking sound is at 0, while my vocal recordings are at -30db... i had no issues with my old sound card.

  • From: Kouvola, Finland
  • Registered: 2007-05-12
  • Posts: 130

Re: clipping when phantom power is being switched on/off

Do you have Global mute on?

Sonicimage studio
RME FF UFX, XTC, ADI-648, MADIface USB
W10 Pro 64bit

Jayzteroid's Website

  • Registered: 2017-03-19
  • Posts: 7

Re: clipping when phantom power is being switched on/off

Jayzteroid wrote:

Do you have Global mute on?

you were right I didn't have it on and that was why... thank you so much!