The mute function does just what it says. It “mutes” or turns off the channel. It’s an easy way to remove a channel or track from the mix without pulling down the solo function does just the opposite. It mutes all of the other channels or tracks, so that only the solo’ed channel is heard. Generally solo is used when the engineer wants to listen to a particular track, out of context. This is done to possibly check for noise or distortion, or to hear how signal processing, like EQ, compression, or reverb are affecting the sound on that track.