Special Edition Orch. Strings - Double Basses, no mutes?

[DaddyO]

Please bear with me in this question, as I have never played in an orchestra. 

Why in Special Edition Vol 1 PLUS do the Orchestral Strings Double Basses have no mute patches like the other strings sections?

This is not at all a complaint, I'm just the curious sort.

[DG]

I can't answer your question, but I can tell you that one of life's strange acoustic anomalies is that Double Basses with mutes often sound louder than without. I usually tell them not to use them and then play one dynamic softer.

DG

[DaddyO]

@DG said:

I can't answer your question, but I can tell you that one of life's strange acoustic anomalies is that Double Basses with mutes often sound louder than without. I usually tell them not to use them and then play one dynamic softer.

DG

Hmm...

Before posting I had searched Google because I wondered if mutes for Basses even existed. I found out they did, so I assumed they worked the same as with other String family instruments. Based on what you say, that they don't, I supposed it's possible that's the reason for the seeming omission in the SE Double Basses.