The history of controlling, enhancing and refining the sound of drums is almost as long as the history of drumming, itself. In the modern era a variety of muffling methods and materials were developed for drums, from stuffing torn newspapers inside bass drums and installing internal tone controls on snare drums and tom-toms to developing bass drum pillows and external snare drum and tom-tom dampers such as tapes, gels and pads.
Today, many different types of drum dampers and mufflers are used by many types of drummers. They have become popular and prolific for controlling overtones and sustain and delivering a more focused, professional sound in studio and live situations.
Understanding the differences between Dampening and Muffling
- "Muffling" implies completely or mostly eliminating a drum’s sustain and overtones, often resulting in a "dead" drum sound. Muffling is achieved by attaching a material or device (such as towels, pads, gels, tape, etc.) to the drum head.
- “Dampening" refers to the process of subtly and variably reducing a drum’s sound by applying a material or device (such as hands, pads, etc.) to the head after the drum is struck in order to incrementally and musically control its decay.
- Although both techniques can be used to reduce the resonance of a drum, muffling is a more extreme form of sound control.
What are the Cympad Shark and Piranha?
With its creation of the Shark gated snare drum dampers, and its slightly smaller cousin the Piranha, Cympad has brought than 20-years of cymbal sound-enhancement experience to drums, drummers and drumming. Using the same premium-grade, cellular foam that it developed for its Optimizer, Chromatics and Moderator cymbal washers, the Shark and Piranha have advanced the state-of-the-art of drum muffling while making it easier for every drummer to get a better drum sound.
These new drum accessories feature an advanced, “gated” design that actively dampens the drum rather than muffling it. The innovative design interacts dynamically and proportionately with the intensity of the stroke and the drumhead’s vibration— preserving the natural tone of the drum and its full spectrum of frequencies while reducing its resonance.
Key Features of the Cympad Shark and Piranha
Gated Dampening
The gated design allows the drumhead to vibrate naturally before the dampening is activated. This ensures a clean attack while eliminating disruptive overtones.
Floating Design
With its hinged mechanism, the Shark and Piranha move with the drumhead’s vibrations and in direct response to the intensity of the stroke, creating a dynamic interaction that efficiently enhances the attack by controlling the resonance.
High-Grade Cellular Foam
Specially engineered, high-density foam material reduces unwanted overtones without compromising the drum’s natural tone.
Easy Installation
Featuring a reliable adhesive-backed mounting system, the Shark and Piranha are quick and easy to attach and remove—making it practical for both rehearsals and live shows.
Reusable
The adhesive attaches the Shark and Piranha to the inside of the counterhoop and can be refreshed with a little clean water, which allows them to be reused over and over on virtually any drum.
Portable and Durable
Each Shark and Piranha comes with a rugged, reusable case, allowing you to safely carry it wherever your drumming takes you.
Drum-Specific Design
While Cympad is world-famous for its cymbal accessories, the Shark and Piranha are engineered specifically for drums.
Benefits of Using Cympad Shark
Improved Drum Tone
The Shark and Piranha eliminate unwanted resonance, giving your drums a clean, controlled sound while preserving their natural character.
Enhanced Resonance Control
The cellular foam material works in parallel with the vibration of the drumhead, effectively managing overtones and sustain.
Reusable and Cost-Efficient
Durable and easy to use, the Shark and Piranha can be applied multiple times, making it a long-lasting and economical solution for drummers.
How are Cympad Shark and Piranha Different from Traditional Dampening Methods?
Prior to the arrival of the Shark and Piranha, drummers relied on tapes, gels and other methods to reduce overtones. However, these often left a residue, wore out quickly or completely killed the tone of the drum. The Shark and Piranha’s gated design provides a cleaner, more natural-sounding, more musical solution.
Accessories like Cympad’s Shark and Piranha can play a vital role in shaping and improving your sound and performance. The advanced yet accessible drum accessories stand out as a reliable, innovative, professional-grade drum dampers that help drummers achieve the ultimate balance of clarity and control in every performance.
