Put simply, drum dampening is the process of reducing or controlling the resonance, overtones, and sustain of a drum after it’s struck. Drummers use various dampening techniques and drum accessories to get a tighter, more focused, or less “ringy” sound from their acoustic drums. It’s all about shaping the tone to suit different styles of music or personal preferences.
Why dampen your snare?
- Reduce Overtones
Snare drums can produce high-pitched, ringy overtones that can be harsh or clash with other instruments. Dampening helps smooth those out.
- Clean Up the Sound
In studio settings or live performances, engineers and drummers often want a tight, clean snare sound that cuts through the mix without excess ring or wash. Especially in pop, rock, hip-hop, and funk, a dry “crack” is preferred over a long resonant “bwoooonnng.”
- Control Sustain
If your snare sustains too long, it can muddy up fast grooves or ghost notes. Dampening shortens the note so it’s punchier and more precise.
- Match a Style or Vibe
Each genre has a different “snare aesthetic”:
- Funk/Hip-Hop: dry, fat, and short
- Rock: controlled but still punchy
- Jazz: maybe a little more open and ringy
- R&B/Neo-soul: very dampened, low, and thick
How can we dampen a snare?
Moongel:
Moongel is a super popular drum dampening product that you’ll find in most players’ arsenal. We use it to control overtones and reduce excessive resonance on drums and even sometimes cymbals. It’s made of a soft, sticky, gel-like material that adheres easily to drumheads or cymbals. Placing it closer to the centre gives more dampening, while placing it near the rim allows for a more open sound with just a bit of control. You can also use multiple pieces for heavier muffling.
O-rings:
O-Rings are plastic rings, usually made of a thin mylar material, that sit on top of a drumhead to reduce overtones and focus the drum’s sound. They’re shaped like a donut – hence “O-ring” – and come in different sizes for snare drums and toms. Some drummers even use both O-rings & Moongel together for max control! Some popular brands are, Evans and Remo.
Big Fat Snare Drum:
Big Fat Snare Drum is a line of drumhead overlay products designed to instantly change the sound of your snare (or toms) to give it a deeper, fatter, more vintage tone – like those thuddy, ’70s-style snare sounds you hear on classic records! It sits directly on top of your existing snare drum head, and some versions have weighted edges, foam strips, or even jingles to add specific sonic flavours. It drops the pitch, reduces overtones, and makes the drum sound darker, shorter, and more controlled. BFSD is kinda like the “big guns” of dampening – it doesn’t just control your snare sound, it transforms it!
Internal snare dampener:
An internal snare dampener is a mechanical device mounted inside the snare drum shell. It presses a piece of felt, rubber, or foam against the underside of the drumhead to reduce overtones and ring. An internal snare dampener is controlled by a knob on the outside of the drum (no harm intended). You can adjust the amount of pressure the dampener applies to the drumhead – so it’s like a built-in tone control!
Pro’s & Cons?
Moongel:
Pros:
- Reusable and repositionable: You can move it around to different spots on the drum to change the amount of dampening.
- Non-damaging: It won’t damage drumheads or leave residue.
- Versatile: Can be used on snare drums, toms, and even cymbals.
Cons:
- It gets fluffy!
O-rings:
Pros:
- Instant dampening
- No adhesives
- Consistent effect every time
- Great for live use
Cons:
- Less customizable than Moongel (it’s all-or-nothing unless you cut them)
Big Fat Snare Drum:
Pros:
- Instant “fat snare” sound without tuning
- Removable and reusable
- Doesn’t permanently alter your drum
- Great for both live and studio use
Cons:
- Can reduce sensitivity (especially for ghost notes)
Internal snare dampener:
Pros:
- Built-in, no gear to carry around
- Adjustable from subtle to heavy dampening
- Super clean look—nothing visible on top of the drum
- Awesome vintage tone and aesthetic
Cons:
- Limited to what’s built in (you can’t move it around like Moongel)
- Some models can rattle or wear out over time
- Not always easy to install if your drum doesn’t come with one
| Wallet | Classic trick: throw your wallet on the snare. Heavy enough to lower pitch & kill ring. |
| Tape | Use gaffer’s or duct tape to reduce ring. Customizable & low-profile. |
| Old Drumhead | Cut up an old drumhead with scissors = custom dampening ring. |
| Cotton Balls | Throw them inside your drum and let them fly around (you can tape them to the underside of your batter head if you like)! |
| Tissues + Tape | Tissue folded up and taped down = super soft dampening with a feather touch. |
| Tea Towls | Lay a tea towel over the snare head – can be full or partial coverage for vibe-y, thuddy tones. |
Responses & Questions