Bass drums are arguably one of the most important drums on the drum kit. Getting that perfect bass drum sound can be a cause of frustration for many drummers. It’s such a big drum to work with that it can become overwhelming trying to figure out how to get the sound you want.
If you’re looking for a thick and punchy thump, there are a few things you can do.
Tuning
The first thing to do is tune the bass drum correctly. You need to tune it in a certain way in order to get a deep and beefy sound. Make sure that the tension on the drumhead isn’t too tight. The tighter it is, the more resonance you’re going to get.
It needs to be fairly loose. However, you could drive the beater through the head if it’s too loose, so you need to find a good balance. Make sure that the tension is even around all the lugs to eliminate any unwanted overtones.
Pedals
Your choice of bass drum pedal will affect how the bass drum sounds. Many pedals have switchable beaters that allow you to play with either plastic or felt sides. This Pearl Eliminator pedal is a great example (I own one).
If you play with the plastic side of the beater, you’ll get a more aggressive sound. It will bring out the punchiness of your bass drum. Playing with the felt side will produce more warmth, which is not what you want in this case!
Muffling
Most bass drums have a lot of resonance. If nothing is placed inside the shell, the drum will ring with booming authority. The booming sound will take away from the punchiness that you’re looking for. So, the best thing to do is to place some blankets or pillows inside the bass drum.
Most drummers do this as the majority of bass drums are too boomy on their own. There are some fantastic products such as the KICKPRO that will take away the boominess.
However, any old blanket or pillow will do the same trick. Many drummers prefer how professional the KICKPRO looks as opposed to old household items being visible in their bass drums.
Drumheads
Certain drumheads provide a lot more punch than others. A great example would be the EMAD head from Evans. It’s designed to add punch to your kick thanks to the muffling rings around its edge. It’s a favorite head of many rock drummers, proving that it’s an effective option.
Single-ply heads won’t have the same attacking characteristics as double-ply heads. So, make sure you have a thick bass drumhead if you’re looking for a punchy tone.
Bass Drum Patch
A small adjustment that you can make to your bass drum is to add a patch to the head. Bass drum patches bring out more attack in the tone while also protecting the drumhead from getting damaged.
Most patches have a clicking sound. It’s not every drummer’s cup-of-tea, but it definitely adds a good thump to your kick drum. You’ll commonly see metal drummers using patches on their bass drums.
Shell Type
One big deciding factor in how punchy your bass drum lies in what wood the shell is made of. This isn’t something you can change to your current bass drum, but it’s something to look out for if you’re in the market for a new drum kit.
Birch shells are a lot punchier than maple, poplar, and mahogany shells. So, a birch drum kit is what you should go for if you want the punchiest bass drum sound possible.
Closing Thoughts
The final way of adding punch to your bass drum is to adjust your playing technique. If you let the pedal rebound off the drumhead, the drum will resonate a bit more. If you dig the pedal into the head, it will sound tighter and more aggressive.
Technique plays a large role in how your drums sound. All the pros still sound like pros when they play on cheap kits. It’s all in the technique. However, the tips we’ve gone through will help you get a punchier bass drum sound if your playing technique is already great.
