Introduction: ZOOM Mic Kill-Switch

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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:

**ACTIVATION LED OPTIONAL**

  • LED (built in resistor)
  • x3 - LR1130 batteries

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: 5 Volt Wire

The red wire is the 5v power. Cut only this wire and strip the ends.

Step 3: 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)

Step 4: 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)

Attachments

Step 5: Set the LED

I'm going to sacrifice one of the beveled screw hole to set the LED.

Step 6: 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.

Step 7: 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.

Step 8: 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)

Step 9: 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).

Step 10: 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.

Step 11:

Mic Kill - Reset