Does anybody like their silent brass for tuba?

[ArnoldGottlieb]

I've made a search of the archives and this forum, perhaps I've missed a few posts. As my life is changing I need a softer practice solution. So, is there anybody out there who just loves or strongly likes their silent brass? I'll be using it with a VMI that's a MW 37 copy and my PT20P, if that will help anybody's answer. Thanks. Peace. ASG

[PhilipJ]

I can answer that I "strongly like" mine. It works great just as a practice mute in keeping the volume manageable, and actually sounds pretty good through the electronics as well (but I would recommend changing the little earplug-type phones with a set of real headphones). I delayed buying one for a long time due to many negative comments I read here, but finally got desparate enough. It IS quite heavy, and is something of a pain in that respect; it also raises the pitch of the horn a good bit, more than I can compensate for by pulling (I use an extra bit to bring it back down). But for me, it has been an absolute chops saver. I use it on my Conn 36J and Holton 345.

[Tubaguyjoe]

i recently purchased one from woodwind and brasswind and I am sending it right back. I could not stand the way I sounded while I played with it. If you don't mind sounding terrible when you play then go for it. I decided to find a way to practice during decent hours instead of waste 320 bucks on that thing. The trumpet, trombone, horn, and euphonium ones all work wonders but this one is just different, its a little unbearable. And the device that lets you hear how you play does not get nearly as loud as it should. And the hall setting or echo setting does nothing. Me looking for the same solution to practicing as you were, decided to send it back. If you do decide to buy it, make sure there is a money back guarantee.

[Tubaryan12]

I like mine...but i dont use it much anymore because I can practice in my office at work during lunch and after work. I havent sold it yet because I like to know its around if I ever need to work out something and need to be silent. I did hate the way it made me sound until I spent about an hour playing with the settings and finally found something I could live with (and dont use the supplied ear buds...they are horrible!)

[Duane]

I personally like the “Wallaceâ€

[Dean E]

So, is there anybody out there who just loves or strongly likes their silent brass?

I like mine. However, major drawbacks, alluded to by others, are:

1. Makes the horn sorrowfully out of tune, which makes playing along with a recording unproductive as far as practicing intonation.

2. Top heaviness. For convenience, I really need to get a stand to keep the horn and mounted Silent Brass mute in the upright position during breaks or while adjusting a CD player.

3. Too much spaghetti:
a. Line from mute-mounted microphone to "Personal Studio."
b. Line from the Silent brass "Personal Studio" unit to headphones.
c. Lines from a CD player or tuner to "Personal Studio."
d, e. DC Power lines from DC transformers to b and c.
f, g. AC power strip to DC transformers.
h. Extension cord from wall socket to AC power strip.