Silent Brass for Practcing - WOW!

[Cobra1502]

The purpose of this posting is to share my recent experience with Yamaha’s Silent Brass. I apologize if this information is “old news” for some of you or it comes across as a sales ad to others.

I was looking for options that would allow me to practice my new Miraphone 191 over the summer at our cottage without bothering neighbours. Walls are thin and neighbours are very close. I looked at a few practice mutes but didn’t feel confident with them as a daily practice tool for 2 months.

I decided to try the “new” Yamaha SB1X Silent Brass pickup mute and the Personal Studio with Yamahaʼs Brass Resonance Modeling. It went together easily and within minutes I was testing it out. Assemble the halves of mute, silicon band, strap to hold it in, cord from mute to Personal Studio. Instructions said to adjust mic pickup height from 4 to 6 inches for BBb tubas. So I did and then I installed it on my Yamaha 621.

After first blows I was impressed with how easy it blows and how quiet it is. Little noticeable back pressure and very very quiet. However, I initially struggled with intonation as I was listening to the muted sound without headphones. So I installed the earbuds that came with it but I was still having difficulties. Sound was distorted and intonation was a challenge. I was starting to think I had just blown a lot of money in a medeocre product.

Then as I played I adjusted the the pickup distance and noticed it greatly improved the sound. At 16” I found the sweet spot. All I can say is WOW. Okay and maybe an OMG. It sounds unbelievable. Intonation is good and back pressure was barely noticeable. In some ways it makes me sound better as it one option is a Hall effect. I am very impressed and happy with my decision to purchase this mute.

I am going to try it on my 191 but was so anxious to share my experience here first. Then off to the cottage with the tuba and mute in tow. In the future I am going to try connecting the output to an effects box and amp.

Anyone else have same or different experience with these?

Playing Pianissimo Tuba Tom

[eeflattuba]

Bought one of these a few years back.Spent a ton of money. Use it regularly on my bb flat neo and besson 981 ee flat tuba. Replaced the ear buds with a really good set of headphones and it made a world of difference.When I can not go over to my shop to practice open the new and improved silent brass comes in real handy.

[jbaylies]

I've been having a good time using the Silent Brass with audio effects. I wasn't satisfied with the built-in mic's tone, so I clipped another mic into the mute to mix along with it.

Lately I've been using an Eventide MixingLink and a RME MADIface to get the sound from the mute and mic to my audio effects.

The AA batteries in my Personal Studio are about to run out. Do you think that the Lenink AC Power Supply Adapter would be a good replacement?

[timothy42b]

This won't fit on a tuba as constructed, yet I think there might be a potential here for those with upright bells and a high ceiling.
Or for someone who plays a lot of euph maybe.

http://www.mute-tube.com/en/

[jbaylies]

That'd be wild if constructed for a tuba. maybe it'd work in a university practice room for extra sound deadening.

I'd personally like a mute that I could screw onto my sousaphone in lieu of a bell.