Optical Mic Switch

[Music Wolf]

Has anyone got any real world experience of using an optical mic switch such as this https://www.thomann.de/gb/monacor_pb_05e.htm?

I’m singing backing vocals through a TC Helicon VoiceLive2 processor. I’m the only backing singer, so the VoiceLive is useful for filling things out a bit, but spill from the drums can sound quite odd when I’m ‘off mic’. I use a mic mute switch for songs where I don’t sing, and I’ve tried a gate within the effect and on the desk, but with limited set up / sound check time it can be a bit hit and miss.

[Hugh Robjohns]

No experience of that unit. I can recommend the Orchid mic mute, though.

http://orchid-electronics.co.uk/Mic_Mute_lite.htm

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/or ... -mute-lite

[Music Wolf]

No experience of that unit. I can recommend the Orchid mic mute, though.

http://orchid-electronics.co.uk/Mic_Mute_lite.htm

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/or ... -mute-lite

Thanks Hugh, but I've already got one. It's just I'm already doing enough tap dancing as it is with the Helix running the whole show (external effects, synth patches, digital mixer and playback duties). We needed another mic mute anyway for the lead singer so I thought that I could get the optical switch and she could use my Orchid mic mute.

[Mike Stranks]

I thought this sounded familiar, rang bells etc. so did some research and there it was...

... Optogate

Looks effective in the demos... as long as it's not susceptible to false triggers...

[Dave Rowles]

They work as long as you use them correctly. Setting the distance for it to open is key, and I've had one instance where lighting has conflicted. But generally they work, although I know a couple of grumpy engineers who aren't fans.

I'm in two minds on them really. In one way they obviously allow you to gate off a mic, but when it opens you've still got to cope with the bleed that's still there, and not fully blocked by your mouth and head being in the way. If you've got an engineer who knows the set, it's probably better them riding the fader. But at the same time if you've got a busy stage with lots of channels, it does take one action off the engineer's to do list.

It can work really effectively, but like any bit of funky tech like this you need to practice to get the best out of it. Plus the whole "pull away from the mic to control your volume" can be problematic.

[Music Wolf]

I've placed an order for one, I'll let you know how I get on.

[Music Wolf]

The switch arrived yesterday, the day after band rehearsal. It's pretty small and light (which I guess is good), arrived in a simple plastic bag with minimal instructions. The sensitivity adjustment is courtesy of a recessed surface mounted pot with requires a jewller's screwdriver to adjust (so shouldn't get knocked by accident).

I set it to minimum range, plugged it in - and it works. I'm confident enough to try it in anger at a gig on Monday. I'll report back.

[Drew Stephenson]

[Wonks]

Won't it get false triggers to turn on when the audience throw things at you?

[Music Wolf]

Won't it get false triggers to turn on when the audience throw things at you?

Should be ok as the audience is in front, I'll just have to watch out for the drummer chucking stuff at me from behind.

[Wonks]

Just trust the chicken wire.

[MarkOne]

Just trust the chicken wire.

And know how to play “Stand by Your Man”

[Music Wolf]

I can report that the switch held up well under fire.

There were a couple of occasions where I was late getting into position on the mic and so cut off the first syllable of the line but I was ok for the latter part of the set. I don't think that I would use one on a lead vocalist's mic but fine for backing vocals.

[Wonks]

Seem’s like you need more rehearsal for getting back on-mic when needed.

If it were my band, I know I’d be annoyed if the backing singers weren’t coming in on time.

What’s the delay time like between getting back in front of the mic and the gate opening?

[Music Wolf]

What’s the delay time like between getting back in front of the mic and the gate opening?

It's pretty quick and probably I was the only person who noticed. Once I was aware of it I was fine and I don't expect that I'll have a problem on Saturday when we play again (from what I've seen of the venue this might be an acoustically more challenging space).

[Mike Stranks]

Good to hear that it's effective...

... but it's got me thinking...

One of the church instals I 'care-take' has some decent kit which, like many churches, is used in set-and-forget mode. A few problems with ringing ('almost-feedback') of late, due to the 'all mics always open' way these systems are configured.

It occurs to me that the mic that seems to trigger this is only used a couple of times in the service, and for the rest of the time could be muted. A single-channel gate - ideally working at mic-level - would be ideal...

... any suggestions? Ideally costing about £10!!

(Please don't suggest any manual switching devices... anything that requires manual intervention by this elderly congregation is a no-go.)

[Music Wolf]

Would a solution based around a pressure pad switch work?

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/door-sen ... lsrc=aw.ds

[Mike Stranks]

Good call!

I shall ponder...