How It Works
The most important feature of The Gary Chaffee Base Drum Muffler is its unique, independently adjustable two-pad design that enables the user to control all sources of overtones generated by a vibrating drumhead.
You can create new sounds two ways:
1. By varying the position of the pads on the head, and
2. By adjusting the amount of tension applied to each pad.
You’ll be amazed at the number of different sounds you can create using just one drum!
An additional muffler may be added on the front of the drum to extend the range of sound possibilities.
SetUp
Start by cleaning everything out of your bass drum and replacing your old heads with a normal weight head, like a Remo Ambassador. This will allow you to start with the most open sound possible. Then, use The Gary Chaffee Base Drum Muffler to create a virtually endless number of variations.
Positioning the Muffler
Place the muffler on the right side of the bass drum rim. (See the picture at right.) Depending on the size of the drum, you will have many options in placement positions.
Positioning the Pads
The Gary Chaffee Base Drum Muffler allows the user complete freedom in the positioning of the pads. Each time you change the position of one or both of the pads, the tone of the drum will change, because you will be damping different overtones. Therefore, you will need to spend some time experimenting with pad placement until you find the positions that give exactly the sound you want.
The amount of pressure exerted on the pads will affect both the sound and the “feel” of the head. A little muffling will go a long way, so be careful not to over-tighten the pads.
- Begin by positioning the pads straight up and down, close to the edge (Fig. 1). Apply one pad at a time, beginning with gentle pressure.
- Gradually increase the tension.
- Play your drum after each adjustment and listen to the sound.
- Now, try muffling using both pads, beginning as before with light pressure. Play your drum again and hear the difference.
Next, try moving the pads closer to the center (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) using the same procedure. Listen to the way the sound changes each time the pads are positioned differently.
Rotating the pads to different positions (Fig. 4-6) provides even more tonal variations. Continue to experiment until you find exactly the sounds you like.
