O
ontario1940
Guest
does anyone have a CHEAP silent cough switch out there....I need several and can't afford the 230 announcer console
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Back in the day I used "Switchcraft" double pole / single throw telephone style switches with the spring return. The mike cable was routed through the switch so that holding it in the open position cut the circuit and releasing it to the normaled on position put it back on air. Of course a metal box was needed to preserve shielding. I think they still make them, they are the same type switch used to put ringing current to a line or extension on the old manual switchboards (one ringy dingy).
Try this: http://www.procosound.com/downloads/datasheets/Old Version of Cough Drop.pdf
I think you can get it from BSW, Musician's Friend and other big box houses.
I think you can get it from BSW, Musician's Friend and other big box houses.
All you have to have is a silent normally open momentary switch across the plus and minus (not to be confused with ground. When the button is pushed it mutes. You'd probably want to add a cap or something in series if it had phantom power. Most all of my playing around in the studio was without phantom. Good luck!
With that handy dandy schematic you don't even have to buy the commercial unit -- make them yourself. The parts & project box are available at any Radio Shack. ;D ;D
StephanieNYC said:
If you have the time, then why not? Pro-Co has the schematic for theirs on the link I posted.
At one time I would have definitely built such a device, but eventually you need to figure out what your time is worth. These days, I trend to just buy "problem solvers," especially if they are reasonably priced and I need more than one. Ordering on the web or by phone is quick and painless. Usually the product arrives in a few days and all I have to do is install it. It is simple, easy and more expensive than just buying the parts.
Don't forget what your time is worth. It starts with a trip to Radio Shack. Then it then continues with drilling out the box, watching it spin around in the drill press when the bit catches a burr, looking at the blood coming from your fingers that were holding the box, driving to the emergency room, waiting 10 hours to get sewn up, returning home, and finally wiring the box. Sometimes letting somebody else enjoy the assembly process is a good idea. ;D
Chuck said:cgould said:
I still have the scars to prove it.....
Right there next to the razor blade scars from trying to hurry on the EditAll block. Damn splicing tape doesn't stick well to bloody tape...
I may sound stupid on this, but can't you just quickly press the off button from the console itself and then switch the mic back on to act as the cough button? It's something I have done, or just pod the volume down. I suppose having an actual cough button speeds up the reaction time with one button rather than two. I was just curious, thanks. I have never used one before.
--RFGeek
--RFGeek
Back in the 60s, our engineer built a special cough switch in the room the preachers used on Sunday mornings. For one preacher.....who would cough then clear his throat...taking what seemed like forever and sounded like an old smoker getting up in the morning.
The switch was completed, explained to the Reverend, and that same morning he went into one of his "spells". He coughed --cleared his throat...then pushed and held the cough switch. He NEVER got it right.
The switch was completed, explained to the Reverend, and that same morning he went into one of his "spells". He coughed --cleared his throat...then pushed and held the cough switch. He NEVER got it right.
SirRoxalot said:Chuck said:cgould said:
I still have the scars to prove it.....
Right there next to the razor blade scars from trying to hurry on the EditAll block. Damn splicing tape doesn't stick well to bloody tape...
And I thought I was the world's foremost klutz! :-[
Never cut myself with the blade, but I did once make the mistake of grabbing for a soldering iron that flipped out of that spring holder gadget and was rolling for the floor.
Wouldn't try to count the finger or thumb pinches from the needle nosed pliers.
RFGeek919 said:
The perspective is from a position away from the console. Instead of trying to get the attention of the board engineer you just push a momentary switch and the mic is off while you cough up a lung.
RFGeek919 said:
Traditionally installed for studio microphones used newscasts, preachers, etc. Also handy for the additional mics used today in control rooms.... just in case the operator has stepped away from the board to get coffee..... or expel the coffee from the previous hours.
Chuck said:
Ahh yes.
1) Walk/Drive to nearby Radio Shack. Three-quarters of the parts you need are out of stock. Clerk sends you to the other store that's about 20 miles away.
2) Once you've gathered all the parts, print out a copy of the schematic and pull out your tools.
3) Use a hand drill (because you or your station is too poor/stingy to buy a drill press) to make holes in the panels. Drill bit gets jammed - the sheet metal flies out of your hands and starts spinning along with the bit.
4) Spend a half hour getting metal splinters out of your finger.
4) Finish drilling the hole. Spend half an hour with a file, or a Dremel with a grinding stone to finish enlarging the hole to its proper size.
5) Spend an hour getting metal splinters out of the palm of your hand, and your fingers.
6) Install components in the box.
7) Dress up a cut after you sliced yourself on a sharp edge. Nurse a soldering iron burn (or two).
8 ) Hook it up. Discover that it doesn't work right.
9) Check your work. In your haste, you discover a part that was wired incorrectly.
10) Try to unsolder the component and resolder to the proper terminal. Damage the component with your iron.
11) Another trip to the Radio Shack 20 miles away.
12) Get into a fender bender - spend 15 minutes dealing with the enraged owner of the other car.
13) Get to the store just before they close. Buy the last piece in stock. Get home and reinstall.
14) Finally. It Works.
Total time......about 10 hours. And that's only the first of four that you have to build. ;D
Three of the best things which have happened to our profession over the years are Henry Engineering, Broadcast Tools, and Broadcast Devices. All have the ability to identify a missing project, build one, and market it nationally, thereby making it economic to buy in a nice screened box where everything fits and the bloodstains are back in the development shop on the prototype.
They have saved me many times from trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. After all, few sights are sillier than a one eared sow with a silk purse anyway.
They have saved me many times from trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. After all, few sights are sillier than a one eared sow with a silk purse anyway.
D
Dndsh237
Guest
SirRoxalot said:
That's what duct tape is for.
I never cut myself doing tape editing. But I did manage to slash a wrist on one of those Scotch tape / leader tape dispenser things. It happeneed when I was not editing tape.
StephanieNYC said:
Yes, but...
The sense of accomplishment that you get from building something is worth it all. And usually the box you make is better, more rugged and/or has more features than the boxes you can buy. I usually built things when I couldn't find one that does all the things I wanted it to do. My studio console apart from the cough switch (with a relay) had mic on-air and phone caller on-air large LEDs plus three beefy headphone amplifiers (I prefer AKG headphones which have 600 Ohm impedance and need some current to get the loudness level to satisfy slightly deaf announcers/DJs).
And when you see it used for 5 and more years, working flawlessly day in and day out even with all the abuse, it more than makes up for those 10 or more hours you spent building it
Regards,
Goran Tomas
P.S. The same goes for software you make and/or dedicated PCs you build for logging, streaming, file servers...
Thanks radiorob2.0 and Goat Rodeo Cowboy for explaining that to me. Yeah it would make sense to use a cough button in a talk show, newscast, church setting or any other setup that is away from the main control board.
Hmmm I'll have to make one now to experience the joys of making a cough button Sounds like a great time! *L* Usually I am pretty cautious... but yeah Off to Cell err Radio Shack I go!
Hmmm I'll have to make one now to experience the joys of making a cough button
Sounds like a great time! *L* Usually I am pretty cautious... but yeah Off to Cell err Radio Shack I go!- Status