That question really depends on the playing situation, but from my experience now a days most guys are trying to get the most resonance out of the bass drum and drums in general. I usually just use felt strips across the bass head and very limited internal muffling. Of course if it is required a pillow may come in handy. I guess it would also depend on the music style being played.

I once took the heads off of an 18" Slingerland bass drum from the 70's and it had 4 large towels stuffed in inside. The drum was just a flat thud with no projection at all. Usually 70's drums have duck tape on the heads towels stuffed in, because that was the sound back then.

Without any muffling the bass will project better and provide a more open sound. It is always best to step away from the drums and have someone else hit them so you hear how they sound across the room where the crowd is sitting. What you hear and what they hear are two different things.

Of course this all depends on the situation and if a sound person is handling the final sound of the drums it should not be a problem.

David

Webmaster