Mute Switch for guitars, instruments, and mics (XLR and Hi-Z)

Very simple and robust mute switch. Really useful for open mic venues where there is no sound man to kill the volume before swapping out a mic, guitar, etc. This eliminates "clap-boom" (or the loud pop and buzz) heard when you pull a mic or guitar out of the pedal board or line going to the sound board. This is basically a 1HZ low-pass filter. $42 of parts and $20 for drill bits (Total $62 out of pocket cost). This accepts Lo-Z, Hi-Z, mics and those with phantom power (48VDC). Since it has both XLR and 1/4" TRS jacks, you can connect XLR to TRS devices and visa versa. 1.5 to 2 hours to construct. The switch by the LED is to turn off the battery for the LED. This circuit does not color the tone of the instrument like some op-amp circuits or those with buffer circuits. There is no signal loss either.

See the modification for ABY Switch operation on my "ABY SWITCH" Video

See Testing Mute Switch with Condenser Microphones for how this sounds with condenser mics. I demonstrated dynamic mics in this video. It is just as impressive with condenser mics: Audio Technica, Oktave MK 219 and Shure 87A

I posted a "Mute Switch Construction" video to help with putting one of these together. You can see what is inside.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Mute
• switch
• 1Hz
• low
• pass
• filter
• microphone
• guitar
• clap-boom
• tutorial
• instructional video
• instructions
• technology
• harmonica
• Seydel
• fender
• amp
• digitech
• vocal
• 300
• morley
• a/b
• xlr
• trs
• hi-z
• lo-z
• howto
• musical instruments
• electronics
• diy
• simple
• pop
• buzz

[nieko1313]

very interesting,have you tested it in the phono area.& had feed back? > DjZ-Switch

[deepblueharp]

@nieko1313 By phono, do you mean turntables and IPODS? If so, I have not tried it that application. However, it should work as well. This mute switch works on condenser mics which are more sensitive than many other applications. By feed back, are you talking about responses or feed back in a PA system?

[primitiveprime]

Great job!!! I watch all your vids...Keep them coming!!!

[deepblueharp]

@primitiveprime Thanks! It looks like you have some great stuff on your channel also!

[mrsamskey]

Hi I built a copy of your circuit and it works great for eliminating switch pop and plugging and unplugging dynamic mics. However, I am finding that plugging and unplugging phantom powered mics still gives a loud pop. Does this happen with yours?

[deepblueharp]

@mrsamskey Also, be sure you are plugging and unplugging the mic on the Female XLR side of the circuit. If you unplug on the mixer side, the capacitors are not protecting you. Basically, you are causing a bounce between the pins on the mixer side. Only the mic input is protected.

[deepblueharp]

@mrsamskey Phantom power is a tricky but easily fixed issue. There is a voltage balance problem between Pin2 & 3 on the mixer side of the circuit. This is because the 150ohm resistors are not matched perfectly. To eliminate the problem, the voltage on the mixer side has to be perfect for Pins2&3. Remove the 10K resistor and insert a 5K resistor in series with a 5K linear trim pot. Adjust the 5K pot until the voltage at Pin2&3 is exactly the same and/or adjust it until the pop goes away.

[samokunzo]

Thank you very much, this was really helpful!!

[210Bubbagump]

I can't find anyone who makes anything like this on the market in an A/B/Y/Mute. Excellent excellent tutorial.