How critical is it to have BR off whilst plugging in other devices?

[Ginger]

 
Hi All, Couldnt specifically find this in faq.  The manual suggests that you should always have the playback and input levels very low when plugging external mics or guitars into the BR, but my question is, is it critical to turn the device off before say switching an external microphone with an input from the guitar, or is it fairly safe to switch and plug/unplug devices on the fly with device on.  Ta  ginger

[tkofaith]

If you've set your levels low before switching, I think you'd be fine.  The default levels shouldn't give you a problem.

[hewhoiscalledj]

You're good to go with switching inputs but it's always a good idea to have the input wheel on the right of the BR down low to avoid unexpected feedback or loud, possibly ear damaging noise. The same rule of thumb applies to Mixer/PAs when plugging or unplugging microphones. Nothing worse than plugging something in and getting the dreaded feedback.