Double Bass Muting my Bass mic to tune

[hawnbassplaya]

Help! Help! I use a Audio Technica ATM35 mic on my upright bass, and I use a Peterson Strobostomp tuner with a tuner clip that I attach to the bridge to tune it.
My problem is that when I tune it is usually in the middle of a set and I have no way of muting my atm35, so when I am tuning all the notes are coming over the PA. The only way so far is to wave to the sound guy to mute me while I tune, but because i use gut strings, I tune pretty frequently and this can be a distraction during the show and make me look very unprofessional.

Any suggestions how to mute my ATM35 mic to tune during a set?

HawnBassPlaya

 

[pasta4lnch]

They make a thing called "the cough drop" (I think thats the name) to go inline w/ a mic thats just an on/off switch. so like if a singer needed to cough he could just step on it...

maybe that'll work?

or an A/B xlr w/ nothing on B?

edit: the cough drop was made by Pro Co. Looks like it's called the sign off now. Wow is it pricey for what it does . . .

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pro-Co-Sign-Off-Latching-Mic-Mute-Switch?sku=151522

 

[Feral Feline]

+1 on an A/B box, with A to FoH and B to your Peterson tuner.

While I checked the link to the ProCo SignOff, I couldn't help but notice ProCo's "Panic Button". It's a glorified A/B box, but does exactly what you need it for. It is, however, even more expensive than the "Sign Off".

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pro-Co-Panic-Button-Mic-AB-Box?sku=151524

"Panic Button is designed to give live entertainers on stage a way to redirect their microphone output from A (front of the house normal operation) to B (sound to an engineer or roadie). It provides you with a way to discretely ask for a mix change or help when a string breaks or a battery dies without doing so over the main system. Channel B can be used simply as a muting switch for the main system. Both A and B outputs will supply phantom power so no pop occurs when channels are switched. If the Panic Button's battery dies, the circuit automatically returns to channel A.

Pro Co Panic Button Mic A/B Box Features:
Allows entertainers to switch the microphone signal from front of house to backstage or alternate location
A/B switch also allows unit to be used as a muting switch for channel A
Status indicator light
Includes AC power supply"

Just get a cheap A/B box (new about $50 or hunt eBlah or Craig'sLisp) and some XLR to 1/4" adapters if needed (I'm not familiar with your mic).

 

[Wild Rice Chris]

I've run a mic preamp so that I can turn down the volume output to tune.
Bonus benefit is that it powers the mic. I use an Audio Technica PRO 37R.
The ART TubeMP is cheaper than an A/B box and sounds OK (not great) live.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/ART-Tube-MP-Studio-Mic-Preamp?sku=180581