"Your recent technical tip on M-S Stereo recording (see TTOTD 12/17/99) brought a question to mind: if one were to split the microphone signal (or when splitting signals in general) from a condenser microphone, how is phantom power handled? Would it be harmful to have both "halves" of the "Y" cable receive phantom?"

It can be a problem, but generally isn't in M-S recording. It's a simple DC voltage that originates from one place in one mixer or preamp so having it meet back up with itself at the end of a couple of mic cables is no big deal. Now, this type of thing can be a problem when you have phantom from two different sources meeting each other. A good example of this is when the mic signal is split to go to two different mixers: a FOH and monitor mix, or a recording (truck) mix and a house mix, or all three. In those situations you only want phantom coming from one place. The accepted standard used to be that the monitor mix desk (if there is one) supplies phantom for all the mics, but in some circumstances this isn't practical (audience mics, etc.). Also remember that many audio snakes that split signals for this type of thing don't always pass phantom through. Certainly, if you lift a ground on one of the splits it isn't going to be able to send or receive phantom power. This can work to your advantage or disadvantage depending upon what you are trying to do. Whew! Remember when we used to just be able to plug in and play?