Saffire Pro 40 strange phantom power issue

[sawtooth]

Hey,

I noticed today that when I plug in any of my condensers they are turned on without me turning on the phantom power button. Also the level is the same whether I turn phantom on or off. I know that my mics can operate at P24 also, so it my Saffire outputing P24 by itself or is phantom power always on and should this be a problem? Cheers guys

 

[AudioGeekZine]

Sounds like phantom power is stuck on. Is that controlled by the software also?

It can [potentially] damage mics to have phantom active while plugging the cables in. Ribbon mics have the most danger of damage this way.

Turn everything off and restart it.

 

[sawtooth]

Sounds like phantom power is stuck on. Is that controlled by the software also?

It can [potentially] damage mics to have phantom active while plugging the cables in. Ribbon mics have the most danger of damage this way.

Turn everything off and restart it.

I will try that. No it's controlled via a button on the unit. Don't have any ribbon mics at the moment at least lol Hope I haven't got to pay for it to be fixed and be deprived an audio interface!

 

[AudioGeekZine]

If it's less than a year old repair would be free.

 

[updog]

Actually, my Pro 40 is like that too, has been from the start. Condenser mics work without switching phantom power on. It's strange.

I wonder if this happens on all Saffire Pro 40's. Can anyone verify?

 

[guitarguru777]

This does not happen on mine.

Are you sure your condensers don't have batteries in them?

 

[drew_drummer]

This does not happen on mine.

Are you sure your condensers don't have batteries in them?

That sounds like the only thing it could be to me.

 

[updog]

I have a Rode NT1A, I don't think there's a battery inside it.


I'm going to contact Focusrite about this.

 

[kev]

I think mine does it too (saffire 56), possible some units can automatically draw phantom power maybe. There again its possible there is a battery inside my countryman

 

[sawtooth]

Yeah I use Rode NT1a, which of course has no battery. I tested it with other condensers and the same thing. Wonder if Focusrite can shed some light on this issue, as it appears to not just be an isolated case. Also I think my warranty is up now :-( I thought it might have something to do with a lower automatic phantom power as the NT1a can work with 24v.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

This really doesn't sound right to me. Send Focusrite an inquiry about it, and don't plug any ribbon mics into the interface before you get an answer.

 

[guitarguru777]

its possible there is a battery inside my countryman

There is, undo the screw on the bottom and have a look

 

[sawtooth]

Just for an update... I have been in contact with Focusrite and they have said yes it's definitely broken lol As I'm out of warranty the cost of repair is £40 p/h.