Microphone mute switch

[ABrown]

Hey all I am looking for a well made microphone mute foot pedal. When I play live I constantly switch between guitar and mandolin and I have a different setup for each. My mandolin setup is a PGA81 straight into the board while my guitars have K&K Pure Minis installed, so when I'm on guitar I just want to be able to turn off the PGA81 without going over to the board and muting the channel. I've googled it a bunch and have it narrowed down to a few but I'd like some other feedback from anyone who might have another opinion. Thanks!

[OneChordTrick]

A similar question was asked a few weeks back and I think the consensus was to use a tuner pedal with a mute as the cost was similar and has the bonus of a tuner. Don’t know much about microphones so it may not work with your set up? But if it does it’s fairly cheap, I bought a tuner for my e-mando for £12.

[ABrown]

A similar question was asked a few weeks back and I think the consensus was to use a tuner pedal with a mute as the cost was similar and has the bonus of a tuner. Don’t know much about microphones so it may not work with your set up? But if it does it’s fairly cheap, I bought a tuner for my e-mando for £12.

That would be ideal however I haven’t ever seen a tuning pedal with xlr input/output. I’ll look into that

[OneChordTrick]

An XLR input? I think you’re beginning to scratch the depths of my ignorance about microphones :). I had to Google XLR so I suspect my approach may take you down a dead end. My apologies if I waste your time.

[foldedpath]

That PG81 is a condenser mic, isn't it? Most microphone mute boxes will cause an audible "Pop" when used with condenser mics that require phantom power from the board.

The Orchid mic muting pedal supposedly buffers the signal with a quiet mute, but I haven't tried it myself. Maybe someone else here has used it, or will have other suggestions:

https://www.maurysmusic.com/inc/sdetail/orchid_mic_muting_pedal/176957

[pops1]

I haven't used the mic muting pedal, but I have an Orchid preamp and they are good, well made products. NFI on my part, just an observation. Looks like it will silently mute, pass phantom power to your mic, and power itself with phantom from the board.

[ABrown]

That PG81 is a condenser mic, isn't it? Most microphone mute boxes will cause an audible "Pop" when used with condenser mics that require phantom power from the board.

The Orchid mic muting pedal supposedly buffers the signal with a quiet mute, but I haven't tried it myself. Maybe someone else here has used it, or will have other suggestions:

https://www.maurysmusic.com/inc/sdetail/orchid_mic_muting_pedal/176957

You are correct, there are mute switches that are built to eliminate the "pop" that comes from switching on/off a powered signal.

[ABrown]

I haven't used the mic muting pedal, but I have an Orchid preamp and they are good, well made products. NFI on my part, just an observation. Looks like it will silently mute, pass phantom power to your mic, and power itself with phantom from the board.


I'll check it out, I like the idea of it being self powered, I definitely want it to have an indicating light as to whether it's on or bypassed.

Just gave it a look and it looks like this is a momentary switch and not a latching one

[Mike Martin]

I use a Pro Co Sign Off. It passes phantom power, and there is no pop when you hit the switch. Solidly built.

[ABrown]

I use a Pro Co Sign Off. It passes phantom power, and there is no pop when you hit the switch. Solidly built.

Does it have a status light?

[Mike Martin]

The Sign Off has no indicator light, but a couple other Pro Co models do - the Power Mute and the Panic Button.

[ABrown]

An XLR input? I think you’re beginning to scratch the depths of my ignorance about microphones :). I had to Google XLR so I suspect my approach may take you down a dead end. My apologies if I waste your time.

Don't worry about that, I appreciate your input. I'm pretty ignorant to audio equipment and techniques myself, this is probably a dumb question for most of the heavy gigging collective here

[Brian Shaw]

The Rolls MM11, is another option. It passes phantom and there is no pop. Plus, it is inexpensive. I've been using it for years with no trouble.

[Beanzy]

Another approach might be to get both set up and controlled using a mini mixer something like this.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ammoon-Console-2-Channel-Recording-Broadcast/dp/B07LBQNQVV/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1548613405&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=Mic%2B%26%2Bguitar%2Bmixer&th=1

then you could take the balanced line level output and send that to a decent line level A/B switch.
I use one of these mounted in a case for switching between my fiddle & mandolin after they exit the preamp at line level.
In your case it would be after the mini mixer. https://www.rdlnet.com/product.php?page=153

[dstratto]

I used the Whirlwind "Micmute PP" for a long time. It is a bit more expensive than the Rolls but it has an LED indicator light so you know when it is on. I did eventually have to replace the toggle switch. I recently switched to the Orchid Mic Mute, which I also like.

[mandroid]

Neutrik NC3FXS Female XLR Connector with On-Off Switch
Brand:Neutrik|Model: NC3FXS|Part # 092-080

https://www.parts-express.com/neutrik-nc3fxs-female-xlr-connector-with-on-off-switch--092-080


simple , effective XLR substitute Mic Cable End..

[mandroid]

Tuning pedals target the Much bigger Guitar market so are 1/4" TR in and out.
you may have them rewired TRS for additional cost and effort..

[Nevin]

If you are not using phantom power, a simple A/B switch with one side not connected would work.

[lloving]

I use the Radial Big Shot I/O. Pass two instruments through and select A or B or Mute. Simple passive switch. You can always add phantom power after the switch.

[Steve Greer]

I use this one. My band plays to a single Ear Trumpet Labs condenser Mic that is very hot and to keep the audience from hearing us from discussing (arguing about the key of the next tune) we use this to mute the mic. I think it was expensive but worth it.
Alectro Systems inc (MMSI-S) Check it out

[ABrown]

I use this one. My band plays to a single Ear Trumpet Labs condenser Mic that is very hot and to keep the audience from hearing us from discussing (arguing about the key of the next tune) we use this to mute the mic. I think it was expensive but worth it.
Alectro Systems inc (MMSI-S) Check it out

This is the one I ended up going with. I think it will do what I need but I wonder why they couldn't power the circuitry with the 48v phantom power rather than requiring an external power source.

[mandroid]

Neutrik NC3FXS Female XLR Connector with On-Off Switch
Brand:Neutrik|Model: NC3FXS|Part # 092-080

https://www.parts-express.com/neutrik-nc3fxs-female-xlr-connector-with-on-off-switch--092-080


simple , effective XLR substitute Mic Cable End..

That is what they were made to do add an off switch for microphones that did not have any..

[ABrown]

That is what they were made to do add an off switch for microphones that did not have any..

No doubt that this is a simple and effective solution but I was pretty set on having something hands free that I could toggle without much movement of effort

[mandroid]

Guess you make those big gig bucks, I am lucky if I find anyone to play with in an otherwise empty room

[Steve Greer]

This is the one I ended up going with. I think it will do what I need but I wonder why they couldn't power the circuitry with the 48v phantom power rather than requiring an external power source.

wow that is a darn good question. Maybe to power the led lights? The lights are very bright. It does pass through the 48v. It also meets all the OP requirements as well as mine.

[mandroid]

'phantom' is the external power source..

[ABrown]

'phantom' is the external power source..

Correct. I’ve seen mute pedals where the phantom power source actually powers the indicating circuit by feeding it before the bypass switch

[gummia]

Rolls MS 111 all the way.
175045

[ABrown]

Update for interested parties.

I ended up purchasing the Alectro MMSI-S pedal after having trouble finding the Orchid pedal in stock anywhere. To be honest this pedal leaves a lot to be desired for the price they're asking. The casing seems light and flimsy, basically pot metal, and the battery compartment door is of a poor design that will no doubt be broken before too long. The fact that it requires external power at all was a con from the beginning. The other thing I've discovered is that the switching mechanism is susceptible to any minor electrical signal, such as a static shock, which actually forces the pedal to change states without actually engaging the switch, this is a drawback of an electrically held latch. I was able to replicate this a dozen times simply by building up a static charge in my body and lightly touching the metal part of the switch. This likely won't be an issue when I use it live with rubber soled boots on but it's just one more thing that makes this pedal not worth the money. I have to play tomorrow night and I'll likely try it out but I will be looking into returning it and continuing the search for a mute pedal. That being said if anyone knows where to find an Orchid microphone mute pedal with the tuner output I'd love to know about it.

[dstratto]

To get my orchid mute switch I emailed Orchid Electronics in the UK. The transaction was easy and it arrived in about a week, I think.

[pit lenz]

For all the diy folks, here come two links about building a pop-free mute switch (also for condenser mics):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PPoAp9nCcQE
And
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4w9BF3QnpHM