If you're impatient, jump to the conclusion. To be clear, this thread is referring to those devices which adhere to the surface of bass drum batter heads and which contain hard plastic or metal disks.

The Click Pad

The purpose of the click pad is simple: To increase attack. Increasing the attack is useful for increasing articulation and definition of the notes you're playing. This allows you to play fast and complex bass drum patterns without losing the clarity of your notes.

Many people make the mistake of over-dampening their bass drums when they use click pads. This happens because the type of people who are interested in click pads likely already have a lot of muffling in their bass drum because they want that punchy, articulate tone.

In Application

This is how you use the click pad, starting with the heads off the drum:

  1. Put new head on drum (put nothing inside for dampening)
  2. Tighten both heads until the wrinkles come out, no more (Bob Gatzen style. Youtube it)
  3. Apply click pad to batter head
  4. Secure in place with clear masking tape. Be VERY conservative with the tape. Use four strips to make a box around the pad. Use a minimal amount.
  5. Let the drum sit overnight
  6. Tune it again in the morning; ensure it is tuned as low as possible
  7. Listen to the drum
  8. Apply muffling / change tuning as needed


As long as you have quality heads and have tuned your drums properly, you will find that the drum possess a fat, full tone and a distinct hard attack. The end result is a bass drum which is full and fat while still maintaining definition and clarity. Indeed, it can be used to great effect.

Cutting Holes in the Resonant Head

cutting a hole in the resonant head has many effects. Essentially what it does is allow air pressure to escape out of the drum rather than remain stuck inside. This will have the effect of shortening the sustain and trading out some deep bass tone for hard attack.

The position of the hole is of great importance. To maximize attack, punch, and definition, one would position their hole directly in the center of the head. To make more modest changes to the deep bass tone of the head, position the head further toward the outside of the head.

Larger holes allow air to escape more readily, and so also contribute to the shortening of sustain and the trade of deep bass tone for attack.

The most attack-heavy bass drum setup possible would include a batter head with a click pad and a resonant head with a large hole in the middle of the head. Minimal dampening. Your audience with experience this bass drum like a strong kick to the stomach.

Burying the Beater: Uncomfortable Vibrations

"Burying the beater" refers to the way in which some drummers will play a note on the bass drum and leave the beater in contact with the head after the initial impact.

Burying the beater has the effect of choking the drum and killing the sustain. In some situations it is useful, however most of the time it produces strange overtones out of the drum.

When a drummer buries the beater while using click pads, the pads will vibrate against the beaters and cause vibrations. These vibrations are both physically uncomfortable and sonically unappealing.

Conclusion

The click pad is capable of providing a fat, full tone while maintaining clarity and articulation.

The click pad provides considerable dampening by itself, and should be paired with minimal muffling.

Cutting a hole in the resonant head will increase the effect of the pad.

Burying the beater causes vibrations which are uncomfortable and sonically unappealing.