Just notice something about my US-122 phantom power

[TBman]

The volume can't be tuned all the way down. I can move the US-122 all the way to the 0 volume level and the recording volume all the way down in my DAW, but the phantom power still gives volume to the mics. I'm not sure if I like this, lol.

[Mobilemike]

A lot of microphone preamps do provide some small fixed amount of gain to the microphone regardless of where the gain knob is set. Sounds like you have fairly sensitive mics too - if you tried a less sensitive microphone you might not notice anything.

-Mike

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by TBman

The volume can't be tuned all the way down. I can move the US-122 all the way to the 0 volume level and the recording volume all the way down in my DAW, but the phantom power still gives volume to the mics. I'm not sure if I like this, lol.

Phantom power doesn't provide volume, it provides the 48v of electricity the many microphones (mostly condensers) need to operate.

If you're using a microphone that requires phantom power, and you don't want that mic to record a signal and you don't want to unplug it, you can turn off the phantom power for that channel (assuming each channel on your unit has an on/off switch for phantom power).

[MikeBmusic]

Like Jim says, phantom power does not give volume. Do you mean that you are getting bleed to the other input channel?

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by TBman

The volume can't be tuned all the way down. I can move the US-122 all the way to the 0 volume level and the recording volume all the way down in my DAW, but the phantom power still gives volume to the mics. I'm not sure if I like this, lol.

Like others have explained; (1) phantom power doesn't control volume but having it on allows the condenser mic to function (2) some preamps still provide some gain (i.e. 10 to 20dB) when set to minimum. But, this shouldn't adversely affect what you are trying to accomplish. When recording I simply leave the phantom power on, and once the preamp gain is set I leave it alone as well (set the preamp gain to achieve the record levels you want when playing the guitar at the volume you'll be playing at when recording). Use your DAW faders, or mute controls, to control the volume as required for record/playback.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Like others have explained; (1) phantom power doesn't control volume but having it on allows the condenser mic to function (2) some preamps still provide some gain (i.e. 10 to 20dB) when set to minimum. But, this shouldn't adversely affect what you are trying to accomplish. When recording I simply leave the phantom power on, and once the preamp gain is set I leave it alone as well (set the preamp gain to achieve the record levels you want when playing the guitar at the volume you'll be playing at when recording). Use your DAW faders, or mute controls, to control the volume as required for record/playback.

Ok thanks. I'll have to see about the preamp gain. There doesn't appear to be any control for it other than "off".

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by TBman

Ok thanks. I'll have to see about the preamp gain. There doesn't appear to be any control for it other than "off".

On your US-122, the preamp gain controls are labeled "INPUT L" and "INPUT R". When rotated clockwise toward the "mic" setting gain is higher and when rotated counter clockwise toward the "line" setting the gain is lower.

Also, you could use the Phones or Line Out volume control on the US-122, instead of the faders in your DAW, to control the volume to your headphones and/or monitors.