Preamp power switch as mute option?

farboozle · #1 10-06-2011, 12:19 PM

I am moving to a pre/power setup and have a question . . .

One of my most used integrated head options is the mute switch. If I use a preamp option that doesn't have a mute, can I just turn off the preamp power as a mute? Or will the switch be audible through either the line out or DI? A mute still usually has the advantage of a tuner out, but I'm trying to understand my options . . .

johnk_10 · #2 10-06-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farboozle

I am moving to a pre/power setup and have a question . . .

One of my most used integrated head options is the mute switch. If I use a preamp option that doesn't have a mute, can I just turn off the preamp power as a mute? Or will the switch be audible through either the line out or DI? A mute still usually has the advantage of a tuner out, but I'm trying to understand my options . . .

you'd be better off turning the power amp momentarily since turning off the preamp with the poweramp on can make a large thump when you turn it on and off.
when setting up/tearing down, the poweramp is the last thing to turn on and the first thing to turn off.

bassgod0dmw · #3 10-06-2011, 12:23 PM

Just get a pedal tuner and use that as a mute. I don't think I'd want to keep flipping the power switch on and off every time I needed to mute.

farboozle · #4 10-06-2011, 12:43 PM

Well, if I have to get gear to mute, I would go the route of making sure the preamp option has a mute switch. I don't usually use the footswitch to trigger the mute, so I am not turned off by pushing a power button.

gnjpowell · #5 10-06-2011, 12:49 PM

Cycling the power on/off on the preamp with the power amp on will most likely cause a nasty THUMP and could cause your drivers to take a trip across the room... The best solution may depend on understanding why you want to mute and what you want to do.

bassgod0dmw · #6 10-06-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farboozle

Well, if I have to get gear to mute, I would go the route of making sure the preamp option has a mute switch. I don't usually use the footswitch to trigger the mute, so I am not turned off by pushing a power button.

I would be more concerned about wear & tear on using the switch constantly, and depending on the preamp, what is mentioned below...

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnjpowell

Cycling the power on/off on the preamp with the power amp on will most likely cause a nasty THUMP

todd 4ta · #7 10-06-2011, 01:01 PM

As mentioned above, consider the idea of a pedal tuner with a mute switch. The advantage of muting earlier in the chain is valuable when using a standalone DI - you're muting before the DI instead of after. I use a Peterson Strobostomp 2. I'm very much in-tune and my entire signal is quiet when I mute it. No pop when muting - silent. It has a built in DI, but I don't use it.

When you rely on your amp or preamp for muting, your signal is still live if there is a DI in the chain before the mute.

farboozle · #8 10-06-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Cycling the power on/off on the preamp with the power amp on will most likely cause a nasty THUMP

That was my worry, so I'm hoping someone who runs a pre/power setup will chime in with confirmed knowledge. I don't see why a preamp would automatically do that vs a mute switch, CD player power, etc.

Quote:

The advantage of muting earlier in the chain is valuable when using a standalone DI

A valid point, but lots and lots of gigs are either no PA, or the FOH uses the DI on the amp.

Lo-E · #9 10-06-2011, 01:36 PM

Kinda primative, but you can always just turn the input gain down or pull the cable halfway out of the jack.

It's not as sexy as a mute switch, but it works.

johnk_10 · #10 10-06-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farboozle

That was my worry, so I'm hoping someone who runs a pre/power setup will chime in with confirmed knowledge. I don't see why a preamp would automatically do that vs a mute switch, CD player power, etc.

i have ALOT of preamp/poweramp rigs, and it really doesn't matter whether 'you don't see why' it does it or not. it just does. the same thing happens if you have the power amps on for the PA while you turn the mixer on or off. it's just amplifying the power up/power down process.

farboozle · #11 10-06-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

i have ALOT of preamp/poweramp rigs, and it really doesn't matter whether 'you don't see why' it does it or not. it just does.

Ok. It wasn't clear from your earlier post whether you were postulating, or had confirmed knowledge, so I appreciate the clarification. Question answered!

BassmanPaul · #12 10-06-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lo-E

pull the cable halfway out of the jack.

It's not as sexy as a mute switch, but it works.

At last!!! Just about everyone's been using that little dodge since amps started to be made!

parsons · #13 10-06-2011, 02:28 PM

it would help to know what preamp and what tuner you are planning on using.

All Korg rack tuners have a mute in them by using a simple 20 dollar latching switch such as the Boss FS-5L that you can buy from Guitar Center. The only con to this is that you have to run your signal through the rack tuner first then into your pre, then the power amp but you would but running it through a pedal tuner just the same. One of my racks has a mute built into it so I dont have to do this, but the other rack setup I use, the signal goes through my preamps effects loop. The DI is after the loop so when I mute the Korg, it mutes the cab on stage and feed to the houses DI/PA.

Behringer rack tuners also have a footswitchable mute feature. They are also true bypass in case youre worried about signal loss, but Ive never had any with my Korgs.

xring · #14 10-06-2011, 04:00 PM

I run a pre-power set up. I'll second that it's not a good idea to kill the pre when muting. You'll definitely get the thump. When powering down, I shut off the power amp first to avoid that.
I run into my rack tuner to the pre in order to use the mute swith as my pre does not have a mute option.