Microphone amplifier/Phantom power supply

Most soundcards are equipped with a single channel microphone input containing an amplifier. This can be used, eliminating the need of an external amplifier. For most sound cards it is better to use the Line input than the Microphone input since it gives a better signal-to-noise ratio. But for most purposes the Microphone input is usually sufficient and gives a low voltage phantom power supply (~1 Volts) for the condenser microphone.

If your microphone needs a greater voltage, a phantom power supply may be purchased or made using batteries.

If none of the above is sufficient, we recommend using a microphone amplifier. Note that a microphone amplifier may be optimized for certain types of microphones. For instance, a phantom power supply voltage may be provided for condenser microphones. Also, the frequency characteristic may be optimized for a maximally flat frequency response and the input impedance may have been optimized for maximum signal-to-noise ratio.