How can I make studio monitor speakers automatically mute when the microphones go up?

Question

I'm designing a radio studio, and to prevent feedback, I need the studio monitors to automatically mute themselves when the microphone faders start to go up. It would be nice not to have to do it manually everytime.

I also can't have some DIY job with wires and microswitches! Is there some kind of unit i can buy which does the job?

Thanks,

Dan

Answer 1

I looked at a few searches and found a few boards that automatically mute the speakers when you key the mic. That would be the easiest sooluton - just buy a board that has that feature. All radio stations have them and I recall that our engineers always had to build them. They're not complicated - to an engineer, but as a PD, I'd just say, "make it happen," when arriving at a new station that did not have an auto-mute.

This does not sound like something you're capable of doing from the sound of your question. What I'd do is get everything I'm capable of doing taken care of and compile a list as I go. Then, pay a tekkie to come in and finish off the list for you.

Good luck, I've had a few studios built in my day, but I just point and let the Chief make it happen.

-a guy named duh

Answer 2

it's called side chain ducking. it's an effect I use in music.

radio stations also use limiters so the total output will never clip.

how it works is , the volume from the mic makes the other signal duck..

its used with compressors a lot , they normally have a side chain input (which would be the mic)

in music, I'd use it so frequencies don't clash.e.g. say I have a kick drum, it ducks the sub-bass below it.. it's a common thing music people make.