ZOOM Mic Kill-Switch
On a ZOOM call...Kids rampaging through the house?...Dog starts barking?...Lunch burrito repeating on you?
Mute the mic.
This $8 Emergency Mute button makes it quick and easy. No fumbling with the mouse through 6 open Excel docs to find the mute button on the computer. SMASH the big red button on your desk. Stay in your meeting without embarrassing background antics.
I have a separate mic from my webcam - but this can kill both if it you use a webcam for both audio and video out. (...when your significant other wanders through the background in their skivvies)
Reset the switch and the computer re-discovers the USB device(s) - carry on with your meeting.
Needed:
- Kill switch (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JJDCK9F/ref=p...)
- USB extension cable
**ACTIVATION LED OPTIONAL**
- LED (built in resistor)
- x3 - LR1130 batteries
USB Extension
Side 1 - Red
Tackling this one side of the breaker at a time - let's start with the USB Extension.
Expose a section of the USB cable. Do NOT cut the wires within.
5 Volt Wire
The red wire is the 5v power. Cut only this wire and strip the ends.
Connect USB Extension
There are 2 sets of poles - NO (Normal Open - Green) and NC (Normal Closed - Red). When you hit the big red button, NC/Red side turns off a connection - NO/Green turns on a connection. We're going to kill the USB mic (NC/Red) and turn on the LED (NO/Green).
Connect the USB red wire leads to each side of the NC/Red poles.
(not pictured - electrical tape around the remaining exposed USB wires to prevent unintentional grounding)
LED / Battery Compartment - **ACTIVATION LED IS OPTIONAL**
Side 2 - Green
I picked up a super bright red LED (with built in resistor) and 3D printed a battery compartment that fits x3 LR1130 batteries.
I removed the USB cable so these steps would have fewer wires and look less confusing
(LEDs and battery pack leads from Amazon - battery compartment .stl provided below)
Downloads
Set the LED
I'm going to sacrifice one of the beveled screw hole to set the LED.
Wire Path
On the inside of the unit, I created a small canal with a Dremel to run the wires from the screw hole to the breaker.
Solder
** MIND POSITIVE and NEGATIVE **
After confirming the positive and negative poles, I solder the wires in place on the battery compartment. One wire from the LED and one small 3" length of wire.
Set Compartment
The 3D printed compartment is a snug fit - so just a bit of Super Glue to lock it in place.
(moved the compartment from the side, to the end of the switch - more room for battery leads)
Connect LED
Connect the remaining wire from the LED to a NO/Green pole. Also connect the 3" wire from the battery compartment to the other NO/Green pole.
Reconnect USB wires to NC/Red poles (step 3).
Button It Up
Set the remaining 3 corner screws - plug your mic (or webcam) into the female end of the USB extension cable - plug the male end of the USB extension cable into your computer.
Mic Kill - Reset