We have now modified this metronome/pitch generator and this model is loud. Volume can be changed with the volume control. There is no need to turn the unit on or off to either hear the pitch or to save the battery life of the unit. There is no sound while selecting the pitch.. only when the black button on the front right of the unit is pressed, will you hear a tone. You can also hear the metronome in the same manner by switching the right selector switch to metronome. There are Three models: Front Mounted Switch Button is mounted on the front... Lightly press the button and the pitch is heard...let go of the button to turn the sound off... Press the button down completely and the switch will lock in the on position... press again to turn the pitch off. Side Mounted Switch Button is mounted on the side... Press the button and the pitch is heard till you let go of the button. Front Mounted Switch with Light This model has a light under the dial with a front mounted temporary button .... just press the little red button on the left side and the light will let you see the pitch that you need... this will help during concerts with low lighting. When traveling, turn the unit to the off position in case the button is accidentally pressed during transit. This will save the battery being drained and/or your luggage drawing attention! We worked with a singer from Sweet Adelines to design a new dial. It has enhanced letter size and the letter C is in a contrast color, so that selecting the pitch you need in the right octave is very easy. This is the largest display of letters available and will make it easy to select in poorly lit situations. The dial can be easily turned with one hand and the large lettering is easy to operate upside down if it is hanging around your neck. Over 3 octaves of pitches with pitch shift.- B2-C6 Size: 2 1/2"w x 5 1/2"h x 1"d. Weight 6 oz. Pitch Shift A440 - 445 Pitch Accuracy less than + or - 1 cent One year warranty. Metronome features of the DM8LT: Range : 40-216 beats per minute using a large easy to read and easy to turn dial. Increments by standard musical tempos. Light and or click - this metronome is one of the loudest we have found ... with a great clave (wood block) tone and full range volume control. 8 color LED's move with beat - when in the accenting mode the first light will flash green -- all others are red. Chime - bell accents downbeat on 0,2,3,4,5 6. When set to 0 there is only the clicking - clave tone. Also 6 beat sub-divisions -- Eight Note, Triplet, Sixteenth, Dotted Eighth, Triplet Sixteenth with rests. Electronic Pitch Pipe features of the DM8LT: Over 3 octaves of pitches with pitch shift.- B2-C6 Size: 2 1/2"w x 5 1/2"h x 1"d. Weight 6 oz. Pitch Shift A440 - 445 Pitch Accuracy less than + or - 1 cent Earphone jack 3.5mm - earphone not included. Accuracy of metronome + or - .2% Flip out metal stand. Uses 9 volt battery - included. Includes vinyl carrying case. One year warranty. Size: 5 1/2" H x 2 1/2" W x 1" D Weight 7 oz