Mic Mute Pedal

[palinilap]

I need a mic mute switch in pedal form (a switch on the mic won't work in this situation).

The cheapest I've seen is the Pro Co Sign Off at $79.

Anyone know of any cheaper ones?

[The Scum]

DIY?

Just use a switch to short pins 2 and 3.

If you use one of those Carling-style stompbox switches, you can use one of the extra poles of the switch to light an LED to indicate when it's live.

I have a need for something like that myself...I've been using an inline barrel switch, but the switch is small, and on the same side of the barrel as the XLR latches, so it's hard to tell without looking whether I'm switching it, or mistakenly unplugging it. A stompbox would be easier to use.

[palinilap]

DIY?

Just use a switch to short pins 2 and 3.

If you use one of those Carling-style stompbox switches, you can use one of the extra poles of the switch to light an LED to indicate when it's live.

I have a need for something like that myself...I've been using an inline barrel switch, but the switch is small, and on the same side of the barrel as the XLR latches, so it's hard to tell without looking whether I'm switching it, or mistakenly unplugging it. A stompbox would be easier to use.

Would that cause a "pop" when I hit the switch? I'm using a lot of verb on that mic, so wanna make sure I don't have an annoying pop trail going on.

EDIT: Just discovered the Rolls MS111. Runs around $50. I can live with that.

[mrc]

Cough Drop is another.

[Gregg Juke]

Hey Palinalap,

I had one just like The Scum described years ago that someone built for me. I used it with an AT headset mike that I used on-stage while drumming. It was DIY (I didn't build it, however); it had a clickless momentary switch, an LED indicator, and a little plastic box. Perfect, small, and it didn't make any popping sounds when disengaging, so I know that it can be done. If you find someone to slam it together, it will cost a lot less than $80 in parts and labor-- maybe even try doing it yourself.

And if you're using a headset, you definitely want that. It's a pain to keep moving the mike away from your face all the time, or to have to deal with everyone in the audience hearing your every breath and comment to the bass player.

GJ

[Nathangrn]

Here is a cool DIY design that uses a pressure pad from a burglar alarm.
The mic turns on and off when you step on a pressure pad in front of it.

http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/a ... tomike.htm

[The Scum]

Would that cause a "pop" when I hit the switch?

For a dynamic mic, it shouldn't pop unless you're singing while switching.

For a condenser, it depends on the balance/imbalance between the phantom power lines. Here's a slightly more sophisticated version that deals better with phamtom:

http://www.crownaudio.com/mic_web/popless.htm