What is phantom power on a mixer?

Phantom power on a mixer is a method used to provide power to condenser microphones, as they require external power to operate. Phantom power is typically designated as +48V on a mixer and can be turned on or off using a switch on the mixer itself. It is important to make sure that the microphone being used is compatible with phantom power before engaging it, as using phantom power with a microphone that does not require it can potentially damage the microphone. Additionally, some mixers have the option to provide phantom power to individual channels, allowing for flexibility in powering multiple microphones.