I got a pair of earplugs on Amazon that say they’re designed for musicians and concerts and lower the volume of sound while preserving clarity. They don’t really preserve clarity, though. I lose all that charming buzziness from my whistle timbre when I play with them in. Anyone have a brand they recommend in particular?
The ones I got were these in case you were curious Amazon.com
I have pretty much every model of the Loop earplugs.
The Experience 2 model is supposed to have the most acoustic transparency but quite a bit attenuation since they really are for amplified concerts. I find the Engage 2 or the Switch 2 in its Engage setting to be a better match for me when I use them for sessions in loud venues.
I’ve used Etymotic ER20 ear plugs for a long time.
How do you find the Etymotic ER20? I read that you have to really push them deep into your ear canal. I am in search of some ear protection so this thread is really useful. I am all ears as they say.
Not the original mentioner of ER20s, but you do have to push them pretty far into the ear. I found I had to build up a tolerance to them before I could wear them for any extended length of time.
I also have a pair of Downbeats, and they’ll get my vote any time. Very comfortable & light, discrete in the ear, and they sound about the same to my ears as the ER20s.
Yeah, you do need to get used to them, and make sure you’ve got the right size tips via trial and error.)
As far as sound quality goes, they do seem to attenuate higher frequencies a bit more, or at least more perceivably (equal-loudness curve and all) so they do sound a little muffled compared to nothing, but much better than foam plugs. I’ve not tried other “high fidelity” plugs so others could be better in that regard.
I also have downbeats and recommend them for concert use, but on the basis of this chat will also try the Loop earplugs. They look good and nice to have alternatives.
Etymotic ER20XS are really good. Significantly better in high frequencies than the standard ER20.
They have different tip sizes. If someone needs to push them in pretty deep, to me that suggests they should be using a larger size eartip.
I have never fett a need. I usually use them when playing the great pipe.
I bought the Earasers 19dB Noise Reducing Earplugs (size Medium) from Amazon. This was the lowest noise reduction rating of the available Earasers. They take the edge off the piercing high D while retaining enough clarity for me during practice. They do seem to “clean up” the chiff, so you might lose the charming buzziness you mentioned. If I had my choice I wouldn’t mind a slightly lower NR rating; but I’m happy enough with these.
I found the Zound and the Eargasm to be very good in sessions and for practicing. They are a bit pricier but worth it as I can have conversations with my session mates and play as in tune as I ever do. I don’t know if they lose that charming buzziness that you mentioned. But they have preserved by hearing. I seldom play whistle without them. Most rooms are just too small or lively.
How do you find the occlusion when using the Loop earrplugs? I read that it can be odd hearing your own breath. My only need is to use them when practicing in the house. I may never get good enough to play anywhere else haha. The Loop options sound good - it is only the occlusion effect I have concerns about.
I don’t know what you mean by “the occulusion”. Please explain.
Please note this was the response to a question I asked Gemini (AI)
When you play a wind instrument wearing outer-ear seals like the Loop Experience, the sound of your own breathing and internal mouth pressure gets trapped inside your skull. It sounds like you are playing underwater or breathing like Darth Vader.
I haven’t noticed it myself.
If you buy direct from Loop they have a very generous return policy so if you don’t like them you can easily return them.
Oh that is very reassuring to hear. I was worried my ears would feel like they do when I get off a plane. Thank you for your swift reply.
Adding my own anecdotal experience (no pun intended). I bought the Loop Experience model to wear to a Tedeschi Trucks show at Wolf Trap on Friday. They block significantly more sound than my Downbeats. I found it was too much. It was better when I loosened the seal to my ear a bit. So my guess is they would block too much sound for solo practice — as expected based on advice above. I also purchased the Engage model which I intend to try for whistle practice. Will report back when I do. Adding - the Loop Experience was comfortable and fit quite well. 4 ear tip sizes were included in the box.