Stop Feedback with the D’Addario Infrared Mic Mute Sensor
- Matt
- 9 hours ago
- 9 min read
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Say goodbye to Feedback.. Feedback.. Feedback... with D'Addario's Mic Mute
If you’re not a musician that has the luxury of having a mixing engineer in tow to work the faders as you perform, you know that feedback can be your enemy. Today's article is going to introduce you to a relatively low cost option from D’Addario. The D’Addario Mic Mute Infrared Mic Sensor is a small device that opens and closes (or turns on and off) the sound when you’re in front of the mic.
Let's get into it.
Contents
What is feedback
So what exactly is feedback?
Feedback is that sound that you here when a microphone picks up the sound coming from speakers which in turn re-amplifies the sound on and on again. In a non musical scenario, I often here it in work meetings when someone doesn’t mute when they enter a meeting room zoom call.
Although sometimes feedback can be used as a tool to create some crazy effects – I’m looking at you Jimi – a lot of the time if it happens by accident and you get a high pitched squeal, it is not so great.
What is a feedback suppressor and how do they work
There are two main ways devices tackle feedback.
A feedback suppressor will “listen” for when feedback starts and then it will carve it out using what is called a notch filter. A notch filter is essentially an EQ cut that will remove only the narrow frequency without touching the rest of the sound. This way the audience hears everything you want them to and not the potential ear bleeding scream of feedback.
The other newer tech that has emerged is a sensor that connects directly to the mic and only opens, or turns on, when there is someone standing at the mic. The essentially turns it off when you walk away and prevents the feedback.
Why do I need a feedback suppressor
Perhaps you have found this article because you already know that you need a suppressor but, if you have just stumbled on the page, here are some reasons why these devices might be good for you:
You have a lot of mics on stage that are always ‘on’ but you don’t have spare have to turn them down on the mixing desk when not needed.
Singers that have lighter voices need more gain in order to be heard better which can cause distortion if not careful.
During times when there is a lot of mic sharing and downtime between sound – I am thinking about things like discussion panels etc
Rooms that are really reflective with sound bouncing all over the place.
When monitors are close to the mics
Just an overall safety net
Different ways feedback gets suppressed Or Stops Feedback
There are actually a few different products on the market that can help with feedback problems. These vary in technique and cost. Here are some examples:
Stagecraft
Simply just working on how a stage is set up and where mics and speakers are located. You could also look at people behind the mixing desk controlling volume manually and things like high pass filters.
Manual EQ
Notching out the ringing frequencies using your ear and EQ plugins or gear.
Automatic feedback suppression (AFS)
Devices that can automatically place the narrow notches that we spoke about earlier. These are high tech but can also be expensive.
Presence sensing microphone gates:
These devices have sensors that know when there is someone in front of it. When there is, the mic opens and works and when there isn’t someone, it closes the sound off and prevents the feedback.
D’Addario’s Mic Mute is the new product that hard mutes instead of notching out the sound. Unlike the AFS above, it is proactive in preventing feedback vs being reactive.
What is the D’Addario Mic Mute Infrared Mic Sensor
Like I mentioned in the previous section, the D’Addario Mic Mute Infrared Mic Sensor (amazon Affiliate link) proactively stops feedback.
It can tell when you are within range (which is adjustable up about 24 inches / 61 cm) and will ‘open’ the mic up to capture the sound. When you pull away from the range – like when you need to grab a free beer that should always be part of a paying gig – it will mute the microphone. This means bleed and feedback sources don’t even hit the PA in the first place.
The D’Addario Mic Mute Infrared Mic Sensor (amazon Affiliate link) uses phantom power to power it so no need to carry a bag of batteries.
Product Feature Table
Feature | Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
Power | 48V phantom (no batteries) | No batteries to swap mid performance |
Range | Adjustable 8 - 24 inches | Works for close singers or stand back talkers |
Size | Inline XLR barrel | Fits any standard cable |
Function | Hard mute | Complete silence when not in use |
Compatibility | Any dynamic or condenser with phantom power available | Works with most professional mics |
Setup | Plug-and-play | No software or menu diving |
Price | $99.99 (on Amazon at 26/08/25) | Far cheaper than legacy products from other suppliers |
When do I use a mic mute for feedback suppression
Just brainstorming myself, I came up with a list of times when I think a product like the D’Addario Mic Mute Infrared Mic Sensor (amazon Affiliate link) would come in handy:
Talkback radio or podcasts - live only when you lean in.
Drummer or keyboard vocals – stops the constant bleed between phrases.
Lecterns and panels - when panelists forget to mute - this fixes it.
Choirs – When there is a solo, mic open only when someone steps forward.
Streaming - keeps livestreams free of room noise.
School productions - kids walking up, sing & walk away
Houses of worship - volunteers don’t need to learn muting discipline in between talking.
How to use the D’Addario Mic
Mute Infrared Mic Sensor
This is the greatest thing about the D’Addario Mic Mute Infrared Mic Sensor (amazon Affiliate link) – It is sooooo easy to use.
Insert inline: Mic → Mic Mute → XLR to mixer.
Turn on phantom power: the product runs on your console’s/mixers 48 volts.
Set the range: try starting with around 8–10 inches and then dial it so the mic opens only when you’re in position.
Sound-check the open/close: make sure it doesn’t turn on and off if you are singing from the side on the mic.
Why this D’Addario Mic Mute is a good choice
• Stops problems at the source: the mic is off when nobody’s there. Smarter than chasing with EQ.
• Fast and battery-free: 48V phantom and adjustable presence range to 24 inches.
• Right now on the official D’Addario Amazon store, it is retailing for $ (as at 26/08/25).
• Battery free: 48V phantom keeps it reliable.
• Cleaner mixes: less bleed and more clarity.
• Easy to set up: no software or long complicated instructions.
• Affordable: Extremely competitive price compared to other brands.
• Versatile: works well for music, speech, broadcast and podcasts.
Why I think D’Addario is a masterful brand
I’ve always liked D’Addario. I’m fairly certain they are the first set of guitar strings that I bought. They’ve been around long enough to prove themselves.
This is a family company that started back in the 1970s in New York but to my amazement, their roots in string making go all the way back to 17th century Italy. They built their reputation over generations of musicians relying on their gear.
What I like also about them is that they are consistent. Their strings, tuners or with smart accessories like the Mic Mute - you know exactly what you’re getting - gear that so reliable know that everything just works the way it should.
The company also has some great musicians that use their products. Players like John Mayer, Keith Urban, Joe Satriani and Mark Knopfler - musicians who could choose anything but still stick with D’Addario. When these players are happy to rely on the brand, it makes it easier for the rest of us to know we’re in safe hands.
D’Addario doesn’t feel like a company chasing trends. They’ve always been about building gear musicians can rely on day in and day out. That’s exactly why I’m happy to recommend their Mic Mute - it’s not just another gadget but part of a long line of tools designed with working musicians in mind.
Why I should buy on Amazon
You might not be aware but D’Addario has an official storefront on Amazon both giving you both the piece of mind that you are buying directly from the real brand but also with all the advantages that come with shopping on amazon.
Amazon delivers quickly.
The checkout process is smooth and secure.
Reviews from real customers.
Returns are simple if the product isn’t right for you.
You can order everything you need in one go.
Lastly, shoppers trust Amazon which makes it an great choice.
Reviews from around the internet
“Works great, plug and play… using it to keep the fiddle player’s vocal mic muted until she sings (no violin leakage).”
“Much Needed Device! …feedback can sometimes be an issue… Well this Mic Mute pretty much completely…”
“Fantastic Tech! This is a game changer! …the clarity and lack of background sounds is phenomenal!”
Setup notes from users: thumbwheel is handy though some would love a lock, narrow on-axis spread like Optogate so keep your mic technique honest.
Line-check tip from the forums: if you’re nervous about hard-mute, toggle phantom briefly to check the mic without presence gating.
Summary – Why The Infrared D'Addario Mic Mute is The Cost Effective Solution For Feedback
So, here we are at the end of the article – thanks for reading and I hope you got the information that you need.
Just for a quick recap:
Feedback is a loop between mic and speakers that takes off at room/system reflections.
Presence sensing IR gates like the D'Addario Mic Mute prevent the problem by closing the mic when no one’s there.
The D’Addario Mic Mute (amazon Affiliate link) is an inline, phantom powered IR sensor with an adjustable range - designed to mute when you step away.
It’s great for talkback/podcasts, drummers, panels and choirs with a price that is friendly compared to other IR options.
If you’ve ever had a show ruined by squeal, a recording messed up by bleed or damaged your eardrums with feedback bouncing all over the room, then the D’Addario Mic Mute Infrared Sensor (amazon Affiliate link) could be the solution for you.
As always - thanks very much for reading and let me know in the comments if you have any questions, opinions or ideas for my next article.
Have a great one!
About The Author
Matt A, Founder and Head Writer @ Music Thought House
I have had a lifelong passion for music. I picked up my first guitar when I was 10 and it's been there, most of the time haha, ever since. I have played and studied music ever since that time, always trying to learn more and get better. There is not one aspect of music that I am still not in awe of.
I have gathered a lot of information over time and now, with Music Thought House, I have decided to release it on the world.
I know that music can be daunting and seemingly complex and I am not a complicated person. The blog posts I write aim to keep things simple and straightforward so everyone can get a better understanding of music.
Glossary
Feedback (Larsen effect): the screaming howl when mic and speakers feed each other in a loop.
AFS (Automatic Feedback Suppression): DSP that listens for feedback then drops very narrow notch filters at those exact frequencies.
Notch filter: a surgical EQ cut that removes a tiny slice of frequencies to stop a ring without killing the whole tone.
IR (infrared) mic gate/mute: a small box that opens the mic only when it “sees” you in front of it. Hard-mute models shut off completely, ducking models drop by a set amount.
Ducking vs Mute: ducking reduces level (e.g. ~-16 dB) so ambience remains, mute is effectively “off” (e.g. ~-42 dB).
Phantom power (48V): DC power sent from the mixer down the XLR cable to run active mics and inline devices.
Bleed: unwanted sound (drums, crowd, stage wash) that a mic picks up when no one’s using it.
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