I have been playing drums for a long time now, and I know how exciting it can get. You need a lot of practice to get the right tunes and learn time-keeping.
However, drums get really loud, and the sound often becomes an inconvenience to others. If there is someone taking a nap next door or studying for an exam the next day, you don’t want to be a nuisance to them.
So, what do you do when your neighbors start complaining? You still need to practice, right? Well, you can’t just put everything off, especially if you have a gig coming up.
There is a simple solution.
Use drum and cymbal mutes. You can then practice all you want without making noise for your neighbor.
What are drum and cymbal mutes in [currentyear]?
Drum and cymbal mutes, as the name suggests, are drum accessories used in muting drum sounds. We all know how acoustic drum thunder when struck.
The mutes are made from a non-slip rubber material and placed directly over the drum head. It is like stepping or sitting on the drum heads, so they don’t vibrate much to make noise.
Are drum and cymbal mutes necessary in [currentyear]?
Well, drums are naturally loud. And since people are social beings, we want to keep good relations with others, which includes ensuring we don’t disturb them with such noise.
Drum mutes can be a great solution for such a situation. They are incredibly functional.
Here are some benefits of drum mutes:
Practice silently
One thing that makes electronic drum sets very good is their silence. You can connect to your headphones and play without disturbing other people in the same room.
But they don’t sound very well. The mechanical sound produced does not appeal to many people, which is why they may not be the best option unless you buy high-end ones – which are very expensive.
Besides, practicing on e-drum sets alone can bring up a big challenge when you want to change to acoustic ones.
It is, therefore, important that you get used to traditional drums. Unfortunately, they are very loud. Hence, a huge inconvenience for those who live in apartments.
This is where drum and cymbal mutes come in. They reduce the vibrations of your drums and cymbals, making them almost silent.
For this reason, you can practice your songs for the next gig without a band. This is good even for experienced drummers.
They are better than using a pillow
Your pillow can be used as a drum on the muffler to kill the sound. But they are very bulky, and you may not have space for them.
Drum and cymbal mutes are small and portable components you can carry around with ease. It is, therefore, good to invest in them once.
Good for beginners
Experienced drummers need to practice too, but not as much as beginners. There is so much to learn about drumming that you cannot afford to miss out on any opportunity.
For this reason, beginners will find drum and cymbal mutes very useful. They can practice for hours at home without any trouble.
Besides, it helps you build some energy. You will be hitting much harder to hear anything because they are almost silent.
Think of it as some form of physical exercise.
Generally, drum mutes have become very popular and useful with most modern drummers. This is why you will find them everywhere.
What are the best drum and cymbal mutes?
There are so many drum mutes on the market today that it can be overwhelming to choose the best. In this list, I have reviewed five of the best mutes to make it easy for you.
Evans SoundOff Drum Mutes for Full Drum Set
Evans is a brand that has been impressing many enthusiasts with their drum accessories. And their SoundOff Drum Mutes is a good example of their quality.
They are top on this list for a reason. Most importantly, because it is a silencer pack that includes drum mutes for each drum set. This means you can practice at home with a full kit without annoying everyone else.
The mutes have been manufactured to accommodate different drum sizes. You have a choice between rock, fusion, and standard, depending on your drum set.
These mutes are of high quality and will fit perfectly on your drums. And they can absorb almost all the sound.
They enable slightly less rebound than normal drum heads on your drums. This makes them a wonderful choice for home practice.
Even though they are of high quality, these mutes pocket-friendly, they will give you up t0 80% sound reduction. By providing natural rebound, they make sure you don’t get any less quality with your sound.
Pros
- Up to 80% sound absorption
- Affordable
- Best on the market
Cons
- The rubber pad smell of chemicals.
Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbal Set
There is no better way to achieve great home practice on your drums with quality mutes. The Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbal Set Plus Remo Silentstroke Drumheads can be all you need.
Instead of using drum and cymbal mutes, they replace the drum heads and cymbals on your drum set. In other words, they become your drum heads and cymbals.
Because of this, they offer a more expressive playing experience than most alternatives. You get the same rebound and stick definition as the real drums, only without noise.
These components are the perfect solution for noise-sensitive situations. Use them in your apartment, and practice room without giving a hard time to your neighbors.
They come as 14-inch in low volume hi-hats, a 16-inch low volume crash, and a 20-inch low volume crash on the cymbals.
The Remo Silentstroke drumheads, on the other hand, come as 10-inch, 12-inch, and 16-inch tomes, a 14-inch snare drum, and a 22-inch kick drum. They are, therefore, a full replacement for your drums and cymbals.
You can pair the Remo Silentstroke drumhead with Zildjian L180 low volume cymbals for a perfect practice environment.
Pros
- Innovative low volume solution
- Same playing experience as real drums and cymbals
- Perfect for home practice
Cons
- They are quite expensive.
Vic Firth Drum Mute Prepack with Mutes
The non-slip pure rubber material used in the manufacturer of the Vic Firth Drum Mutes makes good sound absorbers. The buyer can get them either individually or a pre pack, which comes with different common size combinations.
The company has a good reputation, and these drum mutes tell a lot about this. They are durable, designed to withstand constant hitting for a long time. They will also protect your drums against wear and tear.
Pros
- From a reputable brand
- High-quality
- Great sound reduction
Cons
- Some users have complained about chemical smells on the rubber.
EDMBG 12-Piece Drum Practice Pads
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If you are looking for drum mutes to cover a big drum set, you have one in the 12-piece drum practice pads by EDMBG. These mutes are built from high-quality material that will serve you for long. It includes neoprene, foam, and rubber.
You get ten pads and two sound-off blocks to cover all your drums.
Larger drum sets can be a huge disadvantage to your family members and neighbors. You, therefore, want to keep their sanity by using functional mutes.
Put the neoprene pad over your bass drum, and no one else will hear what you are playing. It is all a beginner will need for practice.
Pros
- High-quality
- Great sound reduction
- Long-lasting material
Cons
- A bit expensive
Meinl Cymbal Mutes Pack 14-inch, 16-inch, and 20-inch
Meinl does not disappoint when it comes to high-quality products. And these cymbal mutes are not different. They offer an excellent noise reduction solution when used with a full drum set.
This high-quality cymbal pack is built for a 14-inch pair of hi-hats, a 16-inch crash, and 20-inch ride cymbals. You will need to check and pick the right size before buying it.
They provide a good level or rebound, and their sound absorption is incredible. You can be sure to get the right to sustain a reduction from the cymbals.
Pros
- Excellent noise reduction
- Affordable
- Soft, high-quality material
Cons
- Taking on and off the cymbals is not easy.
Best drum and Cymbal Mutes Buying Guide
Buying drum and cymbal mutes is a good way to make money. But you need to know how to buy them. Buying individual muting pads means you can easily replace it if one becomes damaged.
Another thing to consider is how much you want to invest. Cheap mutes may seem a good idea, but they may not serve you the best.
Drum mutes are an investment, just like buying a good set of drums. I would recommend buying drum and cymbal mutes under $20, but you get what you pay for.
There are a lot of flimsy mutes that will not cover your needs. Rubber and neoprene options are among the best quality; hence, the last longer.
Final thought
If you really want to practice silently, I would recommend you get a high-quality electronic drum kit. But that will not feel as good as any acoustic set.
With drum mutes, you can play your acoustic drums and grow your skills. The products listed above are some of the best the market has to offer.
Sometimes all it takes it to know what you need. For a beginner, you are looking for more hours to learn and practice your drums. And for an experienced drummer, it could be your next gig keeping you awake.
With the right drum and cymbal mutes, you have more exposure to long hours of practice. You no longer have to worry about keeping your neighbor awake.
Consider the brand you are buying. This bad quality is often associated with manufacturers.
