Denis Wick Straight mutes stand on a new base

Research at Denis Wick does not stand still. One of the most recent developments was a wooden mute, in the shape of a straight mute; this made possible the most sensitive of orchestral ppp entries. Now Denis Wick has exntended the family of aluminium straight mutes, with a model featuring a brass bottom section.

Until now there was the "benchmark" aluminium straight mute, made from high quality silver-anodised aluminium. this mute gives a clear and brilliant sound, with adequate carrying power, covering the whole dynamic range. In addition, the quality of the workmanship with which all these mutes are made ensures that it has a good intonation.

Types of straight mute

As well as the aluminium straight mute (model DW5504) the Denis Wick range already featured a straight mute made in the same way, but with a copper base, and as of now, there is the same model with a brass base. All three types of mute have been put to the test, to maximise the comparison. The lacquered copper aluminium finish gives a lok of high value. The craftsmanship of all three mutes gives no cause for complaint.

The aluminium only mute gives the typical straight mute sound with a large overtone component. It works well over the entire dynamic range, and has good tonal carrying qualities; however, it runs out of projection at extremes of loudness. It is consistent with itself in intonation, but does raise the basic tuning a little.

The straight mute with copper base

The copper bottomed mute (DW5504C) is distinctly heavier than the aluminium only mute. It has a fatter and fuller sound, with more core and weight. It is particularly useful for extremely loud levels, as it has a greater dynamic range. Its tonal carrying power is more widely spread out, as would be expected from the fuller tone. Despite this more orchestral sound it is still a true straight mute. In terms of intonation, it behaves the same as the basic member of the range, that is, in tune with itself, but the basic tuning is a little raised.

The straight mute brass base

The newly developed straight mute with brass base (DW5504B) weighs the same as the copper sibling. Soud wise, it sits between the aluminium and copper bottomed models. It has, however, a fatter and fuller sound with better carrying power than the aluminium mutes, and had more tonal core too. There is naturally no darkness to the tone colour. In my opinion this is not a disadvantage, but on the contrary a delineating characteristic of the straigh mute. the dynamic range and intonation are the same as the copper base mute.

Conclusion

All three mutes are true straight mutes, and can be clearly recognised as such by their tone. Each has its own tonal characteristics, of which, in my opinion, the aluminium only mute is ideal for jazz and big band work. Here the clear and strong overtone component is exceptionally useful.

The gain in tonal core from the copper or brass base, giviing a fatter and fuller sound, makes these mutes more suitable for the orchestra pit, to my mind. Added to this is their greater dynamic range, also a factor in orchestral work.

My favourite of the three is in fact the newly developed brass bottomed mute, as this creates a straight mute sound with a full tone.

'Johannes Penkalla' (translated from the original by Susan Bradley)