Top 5 Drum Dampening Products for Controlled Sound
Are you tired of your drums sounding like a thunderstorm in a tin can? You’re not alone! Did you know that 78% of drummers struggle with controlling unwanted overtones? Fear not, fellow rhythm enthusiasts! I’ve been on a quest to tame those wild drums, and I’m here to share the secrets of drum dampening. From subtle tweaks to dramatic transformations, we’ll explore the world of drum dampening products that’ll have you sounding like a studio pro in no time. Let’s dive in and discover how to make your kit sing (or whisper) just the way you want it to!
Understanding Drum Dampening: Why It Matters
So, let’s talk about why drum dampening matters. It all starts with understanding the science behind drum resonance and overtones. You see, when you hit a drum, it doesn’t just make one sound. Oh no, it’s like setting off a whole symphony of vibrations!
The main sound you hear is called the fundamental tone. But along with that, you get these pesky little overtones that can make your drums sound like they’re singing (and not in a good way). These overtones are created by the drum shell and the head vibrating in different ways. Sometimes they sound cool, but often they’re just muddying up your sound (especially if it’s out of tune and they are clashing).
Basically, dampening is like putting a muzzle on those wild overtones. It doesn’t silence your drums completely (unless you go overboard). Instead, it controls the sustain and focuses the sound.
When you dampen a drum, you’re reducing how long the head vibrates after you hit it. This can make your sound punchier and more defined. It’s like the difference between a crisp high-five and a sloppy handshake. Both make contact, but one is way more satisfying!
One of the biggest issues drummers face with uncontrolled drum sound is that muddiness I mentioned earlier. Without proper dampening, your drums can sound like they’re all bleeding into each other. It’s like trying to have a conversation in a crowded room – everything just becomes noise.
Another common problem is excessive ring. This is especially noticeable on snare drums. Gaff tape is the simplest solution.
But here’s the thing: dampening isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s also about shaping your sound to fit different musical contexts.
In rock and metal, for example, you might want a really tight, punchy sound. On the flip side, if you’re playing jazz or softer styles, you might want a bit more sustain and resonance. In these cases, subtle dampening can help control the overtones without killing the natural voice of the drum.
For studio recording, dampening becomes even more crucial. Microphones pick up every little nuance of your drums, including those pesky overtones that you might not even notice in a live setting. But don’t go overboard with dampening. Remember, drums are supposed to resonate! The goal is to control the sound, not kill it entirely.
One of the coolest benefits of using drum dampening products is the ability to quickly change your sound mid-gig. Keeping a few Moongels and some gaff tape in you stick bag is a great idea. If I find my snare is ringing too much during a show, I can slap one on and instantly tighten up the sound.
I’ve found one of the best things to do it to get someone else to play your drums while you go out front and have a listen yourself. Because what you hear on stage is quite different from how it sounds to the audience. This will give you a much more accurate idea of the dampening changes you should make when you get back behind the kit.
In the end, understanding drum dampening is all about finding the right balance for your sound and style. It’s a journey of experimentation and discovery. Once you start exploring the world of drum dampening, you’ll open up a whole new dimension to your playing.
Types of Drum Dampening Products: A Comprehensive Guide
Let’s explore the world of drum-dampening products. Let’s start with gel-based dampeners. These little blobs of sticky gel are very interesting. The annoying overtones just disappear, and you are left with this crisp, punchy sound.
Moongel
One of the big pros of gel dampeners is their versatility. You can use as many or as few as you want, cut them into smaller sizes, and place them wherever you need. I’ve found that putting them around the edges of my tom-toms really helps control that ringing without killing the sustain completely. Plus, they’re easy to remove and don’t leave any residue.
But they’re not perfect. I’ve had gels fall off mid-performance before, which is pretty annoying. And if you’re not careful, they can get lost easily.
As for brands, Moongel is probably the most popular, but I’ve also had good experiences with Meinl Drum Honey.
Meinl Drum Honey
Drumtacs
Moving on to adhesive dampening pads, these are like the more permanent cousins of gel dampeners. They stick directly onto your drumhead and stay put.
The cool thing about adhesive pads like Drumtacs is that you can cut them to size. You can experiment with different sizes and even stick them into bass drums and cymbals. I’ve seen quite a few drummers stick onto larger crashes and onto their ride cymbals to dry out the sound.
Drumtacs are my personal favorites over the gel products. I find they do a better job and stay where I put them.
Drum Dampening Rings
Drum rings and muffling rings are a whole different ball game. These sit on top of your drumhead and provide dampening around the entire edge. They’re great for controlling overtones without affecting the center of the head too much.
I find they are best if you use S-Hoops as well, as the shape of the S-Hoop keeps the dampening ring in place. Otherwise, sometimes your stick can get caught underneath it and the drum ring will go flying off over your shoulder!
External dampeners like clip-on and magnetic options are pretty neat too. They’re super easy to slap on and off, and they don’t leave any marks on your drums. They’re also handy for rental kits or situations where you can’t modify the drums permanently.
Gaff Tape
Lastly, let’s talk DIY solutions. Because let’s face it, sometimes you just gotta work with what you’ve got. I’ve used everything from gaff tape to a handkerchief to dampen my drums in a pinch.
At the end of the day, dampening is all about experimentation. What works for one drummer might not work for another. The key is to try different methods and find what suits your playing style and the sound you’re after. And remember, sometimes less is more. Don’t go overboard with dampening or you might end up sucking the life out of your drums!
Exploring Bass Drum Dampening Pads and Strips
Now you could always chuck a pillow in there, but it’s worth checking out the Evans EQ Pad for bass drum dampening. They’ve got this nifty crescent shape that lets you position them just right and adhesive velcro strips so they stay in place when you move the kick drum around to gigs.
You can also put two of them into the bass drum, so that one is touching the batter head for more dampening and a more solid surface to play on, and have the other touching the front head only slightly so that it resonates more. So they’re pretty flexible in how you set them up.
For jazz, you’ll see a lot of drummers use a strip of felt material for their bass drum dampening. It’s usually positioned to one side of the kick drum head before the skin is put on. What sets them apart is their flexibility. You can cut them to size, which is great for fine-tuning your sound.
DIY Drum Dampening Techniques and Household Alternatives
You know, sometimes the best solutions are the ones you come up with on the fly. I’ve been drumming for longer than I care to admit, and I’ve had my fair share of MacGyver moments when it comes to dampening. Let me share some of my favorite DIY tricks that have saved my bacon more times than I can count.
No, not paperclips! 🤪
First up, the classic wallet-on-the-snare trick. This one’s been around forever, and for good reason – it works! Instant dry, funky sound.
The key with the wallet trick is placement. You want it just off-center, maybe about 2 inches from the rim. Too close to the edge, and it won’t do much. Too close to the center, and you’ll kill all the life in your drum. It’s all about finding that sweet spot.
Similarly, a folded handkerchief on the edge of the largest floor tom also works well!
Gaff tape is the drummers’ best friend. You can use it for running repairs, sticking down sheet music, marking out pedal placements, and dampening all the drums in your kit!
Putting cotton wool balls into the floor toms is amazing! They fly up into the air when you hit it, and then settle, giving the drum a very natural decay. Feel free to experiment with the number of cotton balls per drum, or even pulling them apart a bit, to make more like cotton wool blankets.
Pro Tip: If you’re using tape, always use gaffer tape. It doesn’t leave a sticky residue like duct tape does. Trust me, you do not want to be scraping duct tape goo off your expensive drum heads, and it makes a complete mess of the rims. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Just don’t.
Speaking of drum heads, here’s a neat trick – you can repurpose old heads as dampeners. Cut out the middle part to turn them into rings and circles, and you’ve got yourself some custom muffling rings. They work great on toms, especially if you’re going for that 70s studio sound.
Now, the big question – when should you opt for these DIY solutions over professional products? Look, I love my Drumtacs and Moongel as much as the next drummer. But sometimes, you just gotta work with what you’ve got at the time. If you’re in a pinch, or if you’re just experimenting with different sounds, DIY is the way to go.
You can always combine different dampening products too. There’s no rules!
Plus, there’s something to be said for the uniqueness of DIY solutions. Anyone can slap on a dampening gel, but that weird contraption you made out of an old cymbal felt and some tape and tissues? That’s all you, baby.
That being said, if you’re doing serious recording or big gigs, it’s probably worth investing in some professional dampening products. They’re more consistent and usually less visible, which can be important if you’re on stage.
At the end of the day, dampening is all about experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try weird stuff. You never know what might end up being your secret weapon. And hey, if it sounds good, it is good – no matter what it’s made of.
Installation and Maintenance of Drum Dampening Products
With gel-based dampeners like Moongel, it’s pretty straightforward. Just stick ’em on your drum head. Start with just one, about an inch from the rim. You’d be surprised how much difference a single gel can make. When you’re finished your gig, take them off the put them back into the container. You’ll find they longer they are on there the more sawdust they seem to get covered with…
You can just wipe down Evans E-Rings and put them straight back on. Simple!
Drumtacs and gaff tape will stay in place so removal between gigs is not necessary. You can reuse Drumtacs though, by using a cleaning alcohol to make them sticky again, then stick them to a different drum head, so they do last quite a while.
Now, let’s talk about some common mistakes to avoid. One biggie is overdampening. It’s easy to get carried away, especially when you’re first starting out. But too much dampening can make your drums sound lifeless and dull. Less is more.
Another mistake is not adjusting your tuning when you add dampeners. Dampening can affect the pitch of your drums, so you might need to tweak your tuning to compensate.
Cleaning and maintaining your dampeners is super important if you want them to last. For gel-based products, a quick rinse with warm water can remove dust and debris. Just make sure they’re completely dry before you use them again.
Remember, dampening is as much an art as it is a science. What works for one drummer might not work for another. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you and your style. And most importantly, trust your ears.
So there you have it – a crash course in installing and maintaining drum dampeners. Now get out there and make some noise… or rather, control some noise! 🙉🤘
Drum kits come in many different forms and variations. Check out these articles for help on choosing a drum kit, the best drum sets for beginners, and the best electronic kits if you need to keep the noise down.
