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BenWils · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:02 am Post subject: Good Quality Mic Mute Switch?

Anyone know of a good quality mic mute switch that they would recommend?

I run all my sessions through Pro Tools and I usually do the Command / Space Bar to start recording before takes. And I mute/un-arm the track when I need to cough or practice between takes etc. I would like to just keep the recording rolling and have a good quality mic mute instead of the stop and start thing. And since I have a top quality pre and mic cables I don't want to de-grade my signal chain with a bad piece of gear.

Anyone have one they have had good luck with?

Thanks for any suggestions.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:49 am Post subject:

There might be something available commercially, but usually it's a home brew affair. When muting you just short XLR pins 2 and 3 together, but with condenser mic it will pop because of the DC power. To stop the pop you install a capacitor to block DC when using phantom power. Without it, you will be shunting the phantom supply directly to ground.

If you want, I can whip one up for you.
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asnively · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:24 am Post subject:

Maybe something like this?
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:37 am Post subject:

The short stop would work. If you don't want the stomp box switch you could change it out to a toggle.
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Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

asnively · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:14 am Post subject:

Oh! I thought that one was discontinued! Cool.
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BenWils · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:41 am Post subject:

Thanks so much, Mike, Amy and Soundguy. I really appreciate the info. And thanks Mike for offering to make one. Very cool of you.

I may stew on this for a bit and think about what might be best for what I need.
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Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

Mike Sommer · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:33 pm Post subject:

Just use the keyboard stop command to pause the recording. So much cheaper.
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The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

asnively · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:41 am Post subject:

That would be a lovely option if I were recording at my desk...
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BenWils · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:35 pm Post subject:

Hi Mike,

I do that already since I have a monitor and bluetooth keyboard in my booth....I just don't want to be stopping and starting because I tend to forget to start again sometime and kind of nix the whole idea of doing a back-up recording if some of the takes are missing. Thus the need for the mic mute so I can keep rolling and just mute the mic input and practice the next script for those multi-spot sessions.

I am wondering if the mic mute would hurt my pre-amp at all with the turning on and off the signal/any electrical popping etc.

I had a suggestion to check with someone on this board (Bill B.) for a solution they are currently using for this.
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Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

Mike Sommer · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject:

No, it a poppies system, it uses two capasiters to keep the load (2) from being shunted back into cold (3).

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The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

georgethetech · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:25 am Post subject:

I have a ProCo Sign-off footswitch I can gladly sell you for $50 shipped.
Let me know if you still need one...

George
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ballenberg · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:58 am Post subject:

Hey Ben--

Nothing that hasn't been mentioned--Short Stop--formerly called Cough Drop--by ProCo--works very well--PM me if you like

georgethetech · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:03 pm Post subject:

Ben:

Does your preamp or mixer have an insert jack? If so just get a guitar amp effects loop footswitch and insert it one click into the insert jack. Voila, instant mute switch. I have this rigged up for Bill Ratner, works great.

George
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
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424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder