From: rcrowley@xp7rt.net   
      
   "Randy Yates"  wrote ...   
   > Is the phantom power supplied by many PA boards used to power the active   
   > (MOSFET) device commonly found in electret condenser mic elements?   
      
   Yes. That is probably the most common use of phantom power today.   
      
   It is also used to power the active circuitry (voltage and/or current   
   amplification and/or impedance buffering, etc. etc.) for other kinds   
   of mics such as some models that put out line-level for driving very   
   long lines, and impedance conversion/voltage amplification for non-   
   condenser mics like ribbons, etc.   
      
   It is also used for charging the condenser element in non-electret   
   microphones.  Probably even more uses that I can't remember this   
   morning.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)