phantom power on the desk have to be turned off on your line from the desk. the mic doesn’t work if you have the phantom turned on, and you might ruin it.
That’s right. But you can use a direct (DI) box to isolate the mic. The Microvox uses a 1/4 inch cable output, so a DI box is a good way to run a low-Z XLR mic cable to the board (desk) anyway.
But yes, the Microvox box runs on an internal 9V battery, and can’t use phantom power. I must say, though, that the battery seems to last a long, long time (dozens of hours).
I’ll vouch for the battery life - mine is still running happily on the original supplied with it - and although it doesn’t get regular or heavy use, when on stage/in use I don’t tend to bother turning it off when not actrually playing to it - during intervals etc. Must have done well over 36 hours total by now. I always carry spares, both rechargeable and single use (need one for my tuner too). As already said, you don’t have to worry about phantom power up-line to it from the desk if you go in to that direct on a 1/4" jack instrument lead, which is what the output from the belt pack is. I’ve plugged that into DI boxes on occasion too - no probs. I have a decent quality 6m instrument lead I use with it.
I use a Nady DKW-1 with a headset mic and it works great for my purposes - church and the occasional loud Irish pub. The headset mike sits above the airstream, so you can avoid some of the “hiss” I hear in other methods. Also, the system is VERY cheap - I just checked and there is a new one on eBay for $80. It does require a power outlet for the base station, but the wireless part works on a 9-volt battery.
Pat
I too use a lavaliere type mic (a high end Shure omni that I love) so I can move around. I can’t seem to stay put in front of a stationary mic - not to mention the stiff neck at the end of a long gig. Anyway, my solution to switching quickly between flutes and whistles is pictured below. It is a cannibalized clip-on tuner thingy. I took off the tuner cord stuff and was left with a spring loaded clip that fits everything I’ve got.
After quite a bit of a see-saw I got myself a Sennheiser Blackfire 541 which is technically identical to the legendary MD 441. The technical side has been unchanged since 1971, but it delivers by far the best flute sound I encountered during my week-long testing sessions. No piercing hiss noise at all and a fat, broad yet brilliant and bright sound without any need of EQ’ing. Furthermore I can add as much gain as I want, no feedback noise at all, and I don’t need to glue myself to the mic. Great stuff, totally recommended…
When buying new, the mic costs almost 800 euros. You can get used ones on ebay for far less, usually about 250 euro. They sometimes have tuchel connectors (the XLR versions reach higher prices), but adaptor cables are available and often already included with the mic.
Congrats Gabe! And welcome to the club!!!
Glad you found something that works for you Gabriel. For those still looking, and in the market for a mic a bit less expensive than what Gabriel got: A couple of years ago I asked Shannon Heaton what she was using and she mentioned the Countryman Microphone. She didn’t know the model number off hand, but it seems they only make one instrument mic, which is this one http://www.countryman.com/store/product.asp?id=3&catid=6 They also make a flute specific mic clip and windscreens.
Loren
that Sennheiser mic sounds interesting! the MD441 it’s probably the best dynamic mic, and also looks class! I tried it many times as a PA guy I work with often has one of these.. If this Blackfire looks similar to the MD441 make sure to get a proper mic holder, as universal clips don’t work well on these squared mics..
Actually the Blackfire 541 looks exactly the same, it’s just, well, black. 
I also got the mic clip with it, so no problem at all.
Here’s a MD 441:
…and here a BF 541:
It also doesn’t have the five-way bass roll-off switch, which means that the 541 always works in linear mode. It has the brilliance switch, though.
Until now I did not even know that the silver and the black ones have different product names. I use the silver yoke on stage, and we have used the black one for flute recording in the studio, and it does a great job there, too.
BTW: Hello Michel, long time no see!!!
There’s also a MD 441-U3 with XLR jack…and it’s black 
They’re all the same on the technical side. I had lots of fun (well, sort of) discovering all the various different models.