Open Source DIY Mute Button for video calls

Have you ever been on a video call and someone forgets to mute, or you start speaking only to realize your mic is off? These awkward moments inspired us to build a DIY mute button designed specifically for video calls.

Our goal was simple: create a small, tactile device that lets you mute/unmute your microphone, see your status via LEDs, and even control the volume, all while being fully open source so anyone can build, modify, and improve it.

All project files on GitHub: GitHub repository

Concept & Planning

We started by brainstorming the requirements:

One button to mute/unmute

• One button to mute/unmute

LED indicators for real-time status feedback

• LED indicators for real-time status feedback

Rotary control for volume adjustment

• Rotary control for volume adjustment

Once the concept was clear, we assigned tasks across our team:

Hardware design – designing the PCB and selecting components

• Hardware design – designing the PCB and selecting components

Firmware development – coding the PIC microcontroller and Python driver

• Firmware development – coding the PIC microcontroller and Python driver

3D enclosure design – creating a durable and printable case

• 3D enclosure design – creating a durable and printable case

Hardware & Electronics

The hardware includes:

PIC 32-bit microcontroller

• PIC 32-bit microcontroller

Rotary encoder for button & volume control

• Rotary encoder for button & volume control

RGB LEDs to indicate microphone status

• RGB LEDs to indicate microphone status

USB-C port for connectivity

• USB-C port for connectivity

Supporting components (resistors, capacitors, etc.)

• Supporting components (resistors, capacitors, etc.)

We designed a 4-layer PCB (1.55 mm thickness) and provided:

Bill of Materials (BOM)

• Bill of Materials (BOM)

Gerber files for manufacturing

• Gerber files for manufacturing

Assembly guide PDF

• Assembly guide PDF

For prototyping, we applied solder paste with a metal stencil, placed components with a manual pick-and-place arm, and completed the process with reflow soldering. The main encoder was soldered manually.

Firmware & Software

Our firmware, written in C, runs on the PIC microcontroller:

Controls LED colors according to mic status

• Controls LED colors according to mic status

Reads pulses from the rotary encoder

• Reads pulses from the rotary encoder

Communicates with a virtual serial port on your computer

• Communicates with a virtual serial port on your computer

A Python driver installed on your computer interprets commands for:

Muting/unmuting

• Muting/unmuting

Adjusting volume

• Adjusting volume

Updating LED status

• Updating LED status

3D Enclosure

The enclosure was designed for ease of printing and durability:

Two parts: bottom base holds the PCB and USB-C port, top cover attaches to the encoder

• Two parts: bottom base holds the PCB and USB-C port, top cover attaches to the encoder

Translucent top allows LED light to shine through

• Translucent top allows LED light to shine through

STL files are ready for 3D printing; STEP files allow customization

• STL files are ready for 3D printing; STEP files allow customization

We also ensured that all moving parts are reinforced, and the top cover rotates smoothly while providing tactile feedback when clicking.

Testing & Customization

Once assembled, the mute button can be tested on Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and other apps.

Being fully open source, the project allows you to:

Modify firmware or driver code

• Modify firmware or driver code

Adjust 3D models for custom enclosures

• Adjust 3D models for custom enclosures

Replace components or add new features

• Replace components or add new features

All project files on GitHub: GitHub repository

Make it yours! Tweak, customize, and upgrade our open source Mute Button. Share your creations with us on social media!

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