Page 1 of 1
Reviews for Silent Brass
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 2:15 am
by Tonelier
Hey guys I have spoken to a few friends and read as many reviews as I can find on the silent brass system but all of this has been conflicting or second hand knowledge. Seems this would be my best source for honest and factual opinions. I have heard this mute is extremely quiet and others say it can be heard through multiple rooms. I have an Alex 164, extremely large, and am practicing in close quarters like town home style living. The reason I am interested in the silent brass beyond peaceful practice is I have heard that with this electrical system it can be hooked up to a recording device and even have heard that with an adapter could be played through guitar pedals and amp. Which lets face it would be pretty awesome to have a literal heavy metal bass!

I have no fears on weight of the mute or discomfort of use purely want to see if the electrical side seems plausible and how "silent" it is from people with true knowledge of the product.
Thanks in advance!
Re: Reviews for Silent Brass
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 3:03 am
by eupher61
it's not as effective as the ads from Yamaha show...in a library? no way. in my townhouse, no problem. and it records better than it sounds through ear buds, on a good recorder. it should be fun through a processor.
Re: Reviews for Silent Brass
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 8:08 am
by feste
I have one for my tuba, and I'd say that it cuts out around 95% of the volume. It's not silent, but it's not going to wake up your roommates if you suddenly have the urge to practice at two in the morning. So from that perspective, it's pretty good. The air pressure doesn't change too noticeably either - at least not compared to other mutes I've used.
The quality of the sound coming through to your headphones is also pretty good. But I worry that when I practice with it a lot, my tone does subtly change, so I think it's important to play "loud and proud" every so often so that you can keep track of it. I haven't tried playing with the audio input yet, but it's all pretty simple to use. I quite like it, and it's a good solution to needing to practice in a tiny flat.
Re: Reviews for Silent Brass
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 12:26 pm
by Michael Bush
I suspect the effectiveness of the mute for any situation varies with a lot of factors. People's experiences are all over the map.
I have one, don't use it all that often, but when I have used it, it has been very effective. Not long after I got it I was using it in the Conn OGB that could be heard with no mute a hundred yards away from inside the house, and I noticed my son had posted on facebook that he was surprised to find that his dad was playing the tuba right across the hall, because he couldn't hear it.
Re: Reviews for Silent Brass
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:24 pm
by Tonelier
Thank you all so much! I will take all of the situations into account.
Re: Reviews for Silent Brass
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:01 pm
by TubadudeCA
talleyrand wrote:I suspect the effectiveness of the mute for any situation varies with a lot of factors. People's experiences are all over the map.
I have one, don't use it all that often, but when I have used it, it has been very effective. Not long after I got it I was using it in the Conn OGB that could be heard with no mute a hundred yards away from inside the house, and I noticed my son had posted on facebook that he was surprised to find that his dad was playing the tuba right across the hall, because he couldn't hear it.
This one review is more than enough to convince me to get one!
Re: Reviews for Silent Brass
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 7:24 pm
by Michael Bush
It is kind of a fun story. But do be careful. That was with my tuba, my room, my playing, my son, his room, etc. Your mileage may vary...
Re: Reviews for Silent Brass
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 12:54 am
by PaulTkachenko
If you have a heavy tuba, it will be too heavy with the silent brass mute in ...