More voltage to microphone

[Lanefrags]

Ok, so i'm watching videos about microphones and the dude in the video uses a external sound adapter that adds more voltage to the mic. So my question is, what does more voltage to a mic do?

[MVPernula]

I suspect you mean "phantom power"?

In case you do:
Adding "volt" or "phantom power" basically makes it work. At all.

I know my microphone requires it, AT2020, because it wouldn't have any power at all without it.

 

Getting the USB version of the same microphone eliminates this "problem" since it gets power from the USB as well.

 

When getting a microphone that requires 48v of phantom power, remember to get a soundcard that supports it.
You usually have to press a button to "start" the phantom power such as the little red button on this fella:

(click on picture to enlarge)