Hello, I am a musician, in need of an audio device for my on stage setup, and have not been able to find anything that fits the bill. So, I am investigating the possibility of building it myself and/or having it built. i am having trouble getting started though, as my knowledge is limited.
Here is what I need: I currently have a quarter inch unbalanced stereo line level signal (coming out of 2 quarter inch outputs of my audio interface). This gets connected to the quarter inch inputs of the DI boxes to get sent to the front of house mix.
I need a device that I can insert in between these two points, that will act as a mute switch. Just interrupt the signal and replace it with silence, so that if the computer decides to get weird I can mute it. And because it will be installed in the rack, I need it to be activated by a remote footswitch that I can run out to my feet, along with the rest of my pedals. I’m hoping that any quarter inch switch pedal could be used for that, which would plug in to a quarter inch control jack on the box.
I am not opposed to picking up a soldering gun and figuring out how to build a box with connectors. But I don’t quite understand how the actual switch part of it would work. Would there need to be any electronics in it? I wouldn’t want to introduce any buzz or ground problems into the audio (when the switch is in it’s inactivated/pass through state). And of course it would be ideal if it didn’t make a huge loud pop when activated.
Would I start with something like this?
1/4" STEREO CHASSIS JACK W/ SPDT SWITCHES 24-697-0
I very much appreciate any tips or info anyone might have to point me in the right direction. Thank you!
Here is what I need: I currently have a quarter inch unbalanced stereo line level signal (coming out of 2 quarter inch outputs of my audio interface). This gets connected to the quarter inch inputs of the DI boxes to get sent to the front of house mix.
I need a device that I can insert in between these two points, that will act as a mute switch. Just interrupt the signal and replace it with silence, so that if the computer decides to get weird I can mute it. And because it will be installed in the rack, I need it to be activated by a remote footswitch that I can run out to my feet, along with the rest of my pedals. I’m hoping that any quarter inch switch pedal could be used for that, which would plug in to a quarter inch control jack on the box.
I am not opposed to picking up a soldering gun and figuring out how to build a box with connectors. But I don’t quite understand how the actual switch part of it would work. Would there need to be any electronics in it? I wouldn’t want to introduce any buzz or ground problems into the audio (when the switch is in it’s inactivated/pass through state). And of course it would be ideal if it didn’t make a huge loud pop when activated.
Would I start with something like this?
1/4" STEREO CHASSIS JACK W/ SPDT SWITCHES 24-697-0
I very much appreciate any tips or info anyone might have to point me in the right direction. Thank you!
For each signal line, you could use a series 2k resistor, with its output grounded by a relay switch
that is controlled by the foot switch. It could be a latching relay, so the foot switch would change
the relay to the opposite state each time it is pressed. Some power would be needed to switch
the relay each time.
Wait to buy any parts until you have a complete schematic and parts list. Shipping is expensive.
that is controlled by the foot switch. It could be a latching relay, so the foot switch would change
the relay to the opposite state each time it is pressed. Some power would be needed to switch
the relay each time.
Wait to buy any parts until you have a complete schematic and parts list. Shipping is expensive.
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I hate to rely on power for a basic path. Usually we must. But here, the signal is coming from lo-Z interface and going 20+ meters to front of house. It is no big deal to run 2 meters down to your foot and a passive switch.
DPST stomp switch would suffice. DPDT lets you ground-out the FoH lines. But it would be nice to allow for an optional LED (and power) indicator. As it happens, a 3P2T is probably now the most available stomp switch, because it can true-bypass a fuzzface and light a LED too. That means there is LOT of crap on the market, maybe OK for a guitarist's effect but not for a serious main path. Get good, not cheap.
Box: ask the guitarist for some disappointing pedal effect and gut it.
DPST stomp switch would suffice. DPDT lets you ground-out the FoH lines. But it would be nice to allow for an optional LED (and power) indicator. As it happens, a 3P2T is probably now the most available stomp switch, because it can true-bypass a fuzzface and light a LED too. That means there is LOT of crap on the market, maybe OK for a guitarist's effect but not for a serious main path. Get good, not cheap.
Box: ask the guitarist for some disappointing pedal effect and gut it.
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all this info is great. Looks like I've got some figuring to do to sort through these concepts.
btw- the signal isn't traveling far, inches actually, to the DI boxes. Then it travels out of the DI down a short balanced line to the snake. etc. If I'm reading your comment correctly.
btw- the signal isn't traveling far, inches actually, to the DI boxes. Then it travels out of the DI down a short balanced line to the snake. etc. If I'm reading your comment correctly.