I want to mix up to four AC signals, that may or may not be DC biased, but will always be between -5.6 and +5.6. For that I was going to use a summing amp. (If anyone wants to talk me out of that in a comment, feel free, but that's not the main focus of the question.) I also want to be able to connect/disconnect the signals to the mixer via a microcontroller. I'm not THAT concerned with a little distortion or delay, since the signals are monotone and mostly for testing purposes. I have read that a relay is probably my best bet, but I don't have any around at the moment. Therefore, I tried to design one using the discrete components I have, which are BJTs, MOSFETs, and the normal passives. I read [this post][1], but I'm not really sure how to apply SCRs or TRIACs. The TRIAC's wiki page lost me when it started talking about quadrants, haha. I just want to pass the signal, or block it. For instance, I drew up and simulated the following BJT schematic. Since it's my own creation, I of course don't trust it, but it seems to work, with only 10nA pulled from the control pin. Could anyone give me a reason why a relay is preferable? [![enter image description here][2]][2] [![Output is OFF when VCON=5. Current leakage also shown.][3]][3] Output is OFF when VCONT=5. Current leakage also shown. [![Output is ON when VCON=0][4]][4] Output is ON when Vcon=0 In reference to Russell's comment, I tried to simulate this circuit: [![enter image description here][5]][5] But the control (shown here as voltage source) cannot be grounded. In this pic it works, because the control is isolated. I tried adding a resistor between ground and sources, but that does not allow for full cutoff. At Russell's behest, I built the NMOS version and it worked even though the simulations show only a dampening for the positive swing: This was the circuit that was simulated and built/tested: [![enter image description here][6]][6] Simulation result: [![enter image description here][7]][7] Oscilloscope measurement (when forgetting to ground the Source, or having very high R to ground): [![enter image description here][8]][8] Oscilloscope measurement with the 6.8k resistor from S to GND: [![enter image description here][9]][9] **Voltmeter measurements:** When Vcon=HIGH: **0** uA from Vcon, **12** uA from signal into input, **9** uA from Source to GND. When Vcon=LOW:**0** uA from Vcon, **0** uA from signal to input, **0** uA from Source to GND. [1]: http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/2010/using-a-transistor-with-ac [2]: https://i.sstatic.net/kgtq0.png [3]: https://i.sstatic.net/9b5o4.png [4]: https://i.sstatic.net/KGDYm.png [5]: https://i.sstatic.net/x1nrc.png [6]: https://i.sstatic.net/Ti8OR.png [7]: https://i.sstatic.net/P72xR.png [8]: https://i.sstatic.net/uaAPB.png [9]: https://i.sstatic.net/uSydD.png