Silent Brass for Practcing - WOW!
Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 1:08 am
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
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
