The sound produced by a straight mute in a trumpet is often described as more focused and piercing compared to the open, mellow tone of the trumpet without a mute. It adds a distinctive metallic edge to the sound, emphasizing higher frequencies and creating a unique color or timbre.

A Harmon mute gives the trumpet a buzzy, metallic, and somewhat distant sound with a distinctively hollow or "wa-wa" quality. It removes much of the trumpet’s natural warmth and projection, replacing it with a compressed, almost ghostly tone. When played with the mute’s stem inserted, the sound is more nasal and focused, while removing the stem creates a more open yet still edgy timbre.