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I am considering buying the Yamaha silent brass tuba mute (used) hopefully to give my declining ears a break. I need a few hours a night playing and besides not fitting into what my family considers peace & quiet along with earing loss worries I thought this might solve some problems. Is using headphones vs earbuds with this device better for ear/hearing health? Which model is preferred? Can you add a little reverb?

If you had/have one, what are your pros and cons as related to my comments above?

Happy Holidays!

Tim

I have the first version, the big one. I don't use the pickup and amplifier. It eats batteries and I didn't like the sound quality. Did use it for a while with (real-time) audio software on a laptop and effects software for reverb

As a practice mute it is fine, has minimal effect on tuning just huge and makes the tuba top heavy.

I also have a Schlipf practice mute. Much more practical to use, but you need multiple sizes if you have multiple tubas. Does impact tuning more then the Yamaha

I purchased the Yamaha Silent Brass system a year and a half ago. I use headphones and the pickup with it. I have really enjoyed using it as it allows me to practice in my condominium without any issues with my neighbours as well as being able to stay at home and rehearse without having to go to our band hall to play. The sound works for me and it has helped me improve my playing. I will say that it is important to play without the mute fairly regularly to realize what I sound like without it, it is a mute after all. It is well designed and easy to put together. I wish I would have bought one sooner than I did. It was expensive, however being able to play at home(especially in Western Canada in the winter) and the resulting benefits have made it a very worthwhile investment. I should add that I wear hearing aids in both ears and do not wear them when I use the mute system. The sound through the headphones is good enough that i do not need them.

A regular practice mute will be easier on the ears than the Yamaha deal, I’d reckon. Headphones are notoriously bad for hearing damage.

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