Not a newbie, but I just recently moved into an apartment and don't want to have to go try to find someplace that has practice rooms anytime I want to play my horn. So, has anyone heard of any good sax mutes? I'm looking for something that won't restrict playing too much but will muffle the sound a lot. Thanks.
Sax mutes?
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I am afraid that this of the sax mute is a Chimera, a myth. Perhaps the only one is this one which they talk about on this thread here on SOTW (use the search function nex time 
)http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28795 , however no other mute really works all that well. Tried a couple, wasn't impressed.
This Japanese ultra Hi-Tech looks great but costs an arm and a leg.
All you need is to convert a corner of the internal walls of your new house, a space between two walls that you can spare, and insulate it as best as possible (don't forget ventilation and perhaps air conditioning), someone also bought a reclaimed telephone booth (or cabinet) and transformed into a practice room.
)http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28795 , however no other mute really works all that well. Tried a couple, wasn't impressed.This Japanese ultra Hi-Tech looks great but costs an arm and a leg.
All you need is to convert a corner of the internal walls of your new house, a space between two walls that you can spare, and insulate it as best as possible (don't forget ventilation and perhaps air conditioning), someone also bought a reclaimed telephone booth (or cabinet) and transformed into a practice room.
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I would like to get an emute and my wife would probably think it was worth twice that if it worked. However, no one carries the tenors here and I'd like to try one out first. The one with the filters looks like a good idea but the main issue for me is that I think it would alter pitch too much to really be practical.
For the price of an emute I could probably buy a pre-fab shed and insulate it.
For the price of an emute I could probably buy a pre-fab shed and insulate it.
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Does it alter the pitch at all?Dog Pants said:
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Anything you stuff down the horn is going to alter things. The horn still plays in tune, but it's worth remembering that the whole idea of the thing is to allow you to practice in a hostile environment. They aren't meant to sound good, just quiet.Swampcabbage said:
For me it's the difference between the neighbours banging on the walls or not. It isn't perfect (no altissimo, at least I can't with it) but it does what it's meant to do and it's a whole lot cheaper than the ideal solution, which would be an isolation booth. Try one and see what you think.
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A saxophone is not a trumpet (this is also the reason why you need at least 2 mikes to capture the sound of the sax well) the sound comes out from many places and not only from where the bell is, so the level of sound reduction putting anything in the bell won't be all that much after all...
however , if you really must.....
The old fashioned solution of plaing with the sax in a wardrobe, in between clothes , works too.....
(this is also the reason why you need at least 2 mikes to capture the sound of the sax well) the sound comes out from many places and not only from where the bell is, so the level of sound reduction putting anything in the bell won't be all that much after all...however , if you really must.....
The old fashioned solution of plaing with the sax in a wardrobe, in between clothes , works too.....
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In our homegrown studio up north, we used mattresses to drown the sound. That coupled with sheets can deaden any room or niche.
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The e-mute is available atwwbw but it is costing a big fortune.
http://www.wwbw.com/e-Sax-Whisper-Mute-for-Alto-Saxophone-i617994.music
I recently found a similar sax mute sold in china with more info. They even have an assembly video and recordings, which actually sounds very good to me. I mean since I live in an apartment, I don't really want the rental office guy to knock on my door everyday...
http://www.vibesmusic.com.cn/English/product.asp?Cid=3&id=2&exceptid=11
It probly will cost no more than $300 including shipping to US.
I was trying to ask one of my friend in china to send one to me. But I have to figure out how I can pay him first.
http://www.wwbw.com/e-Sax-Whisper-Mute-for-Alto-Saxophone-i617994.music
I recently found a similar sax mute sold in china with more info. They even have an assembly video and recordings, which actually sounds very good to me. I mean since I live in an apartment, I don't really want the rental office guy to knock on my door everyday...
http://www.vibesmusic.com.cn/English/product.asp?Cid=3&id=2&exceptid=11
It probly will cost no more than $300 including shipping to US.
I was trying to ask one of my friend in china to send one to me. But I have to figure out how I can pay him first.
Hi,
i am a newb looking at soprano sax - i love the sound but more than anything else i cannot practise or even learn if it's going to cost me the good relations of my flat/apartment neighbours?
fielded the question of 'treated sound area' in a room, and got a flat "no! can't be done!" on one music forum; then they said "why not build yourself a nice small house in your back garden to practise in?" - well-heeled folks these music types, i must be doing something wrong? [lol] but then i stumbled onto this forum and found a whole lot of folks discussing this issue and posting links to pro indoor sound booths (expensive), so not everybody shows this idea the door?
taking heart (again) i am going to try and build my own indoor 'reduced sound booth' and test it out with speakers inside,and so forth ~ if it works, i will be taking a closer look at the soprano sax: if it doesn't i will stick with guitar - which i will be doing whatever happens anyway
it's also cool that the sax can be muted, if only a little, which is all to good for practising in apartments / flats?
thanks,
Ric
i am a newb looking at soprano sax - i love the sound
but more than anything else i cannot practise or even learn if it's going to cost me the good relations of my flat/apartment neighbours?fielded the question of 'treated sound area' in a room, and got a flat "no! can't be done!" on one music forum; then they said "why not build yourself a nice small house in your back garden to practise in?" - well-heeled folks these music types, i must be doing something wrong? [lol] but then i stumbled onto this forum and found a whole lot of folks discussing this issue and posting links to pro indoor sound booths (expensive), so not everybody shows this idea the door?
taking heart (again) i am going to try and build my own indoor 'reduced sound booth' and test it out with speakers inside,and so forth ~ if it works, i will be taking a closer look at the soprano sax: if it doesn't i will stick with guitar - which i will be doing whatever happens anyway
it's also cool that the sax can be muted, if only a little, which is all to good for practising in apartments / flats?
thanks,
Ric
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