Buffet Crampon ClariMate

Well I was very sceptical of this device to be honest but I had no choice as I needed to be able to practice as quietly as possible at times or not get as much practice as I want/need. That being the case I didn't expect much but I'm very pleasantly surprised. OK it doesn't sound that much like a real clarinet but it recognised the notes I was fingering from the first time I fired it up with just a couple of notes needing a little 're-training' to get them where I wanted them once I figured out the fairly simple process with the software. The reed function, sensitivity and speed I played at caused no problems for the device at all.
One thing to note is that it's not absolutely silent because you are blowing through it and the device makes an ever so slight hum, which I'm guessing, is how it actually detects what your fingers are doing as you can hear that gentle sound changes as you move your fingers around and affect the air pressure inside the instrument. Whatever way you slice it this is one very clever piece of technology and, as previously mentioned, if you want to play clarinet quietly but be able to practice blowing and fingering technique well this is not only the only choice but also works really rather effectively. I'm looking forward to many hours of working with it and also tinkering with the Midi capabilities it opens up.