MOTM

> If it has a bypass switch then it needs a gain control.
>
> If it doesn't have a bypass switch then it doesn't need a gain control.
>
> It's ridiculous to have one without the other.  No one does that.

No one ?
Hmm, I did exactly that, it works great, and as my prototype is the only
unit in existence, I could even conclude that it works to 100% ! (;->)

Ok, this was spoken tongue-in-cheek, please don't take it seriously.
(And I always run my final mix thru a compressor.)

Now, more seriously: I see all your points, and I see reasons for all
three versions:
Switch and Gain control - most comfort, most panel space, most expensive.
None of these - cheaper, less panel space
Switch only - good if you want to remove it quickly from the signal chain,
                      without taking care of level matching. (For instance,
because
                      you have a lot of other gain pots in the signal
chain.)

And there are two more options:
Gain control and no switch - that's one I cannot find any use for (but
someone
                                              else surely will)
Gain control which adjusts itself with a motor pot, according to some
criteria
             like peak level or RMS level - now *that* would be the ultimate
             solution, wouldn't it ? (;>)

JH.