ProCo Sign Off Latching Muting Switch for Microphones

I ordered this as a practical method of muting my violin pickup (LR Baggs w/Transducer & preamp in-between) via 1/4-XLR) & internal accordion mic's (Shure Condenser Mic) between switching them out, or between songs. Part of the description of this product is "NOISELESS latching microphone muting switch". However it is not "noiseless". There is an EXTREMELY LOUD POPPING SOUND when you press the button. I almost destroyed 2 of my friend's speakers trying to use this thing- and later I plugged it into a different instrument at home on my own PA, & the same thing happened. I called the manufacturer/distributor, ProCo Sound in Jackson, MO, & asked the guy at technical support if this was a common issue. His responds: "Welll... I mean are you using any phantom power, or...? I asked "What would that have to do with anything?" He replies "Well, shouldn't be anything.... You're not using a condenser mic, are you? That tends to happen sometimes..." The conversation ended here because this gentlemen basically told me his product sucks & can't do the job. Don't buy this. Find a basic microphone muting switch. They're cheaper & they work without almost destroying your speakers.

I am using this switch in a live setup to mute my tenor sax's clip-on mic. When playing keyboards, I leave my sax on its stand which is often, unfortunately in my set up, too close to speaker monitor. The sound tech is tired to mute it on and off on the board. So now, with that switch, I have the control. Its located on the floor, near my sax. Note that it passes phantom power. It is working very well but I am giving a "4Star" because there is no led to indicate the ON/OFF position, and it is not cheap. Staff was great!

I use the Sign Off for the mic in our press box for stadium announcing. Works great! Keeps my hands free to find necessary paperwork I need for announcing the game.

Product does exactly what it claims to do. Mutes a microphone or any other XLR input with a toggle switch. The quality of the casing is great. It looks as if it could take many years of were and tear from the outside. The internals are a little cheap. There is almost nothing there mind you. The toggle switch is simply wired to the 2 XLR io ports. The wires are small and spindly, in my opinion. That all said it is a solid product and the internals could be stepped up easy due to the boxes rear plate. Its very solid from the outside and made for abuse there. This would make a great pedal to mod.

I've used this box for a couple of years inline with a minicondenser mic on my fiddle and must say that for what it does, it's very well-built and solid, a reliable performer. However I'm planning on replacing mine with a Pro Co Power Mute. Why? Because in the absence of any indicator light it's impossible to know whether the stomp switch is on or off, and this has led to some bad situations in performance. In my opinion a box like this needs some way of indicating whether it's live, whether mechanical or electronic, and this unit doesn't have it. If this isn't an issue for you, go for this box, it's a reliable product. Otherwise I'd recommend spending the extra money for the Power Mute, which has an LED that indicates whether the mic is live or muted.