silence during boot

[Chris Zenchenko]

I'm looking for a way to keep Speakup from saying anything during the boot
cycle.
I have a machine configured the way I want and typically only ssh in.
Speakup keeps speaking during boot and resetting the alsamixer settings and
I need it to remain silent and to leave alsamixer settings alone.
I'm using the machine for IRLP.
I'd also be fine if there was a way to force and keep Speakup on a different
sound card.
Anything to keep it from changing audio levels and sending synthesized voice
out on my node.
Any help appreciated.
tnx