I have experimented with all sorts of external muffling devices and after considerable analysis have come to the conclusion that, in spite of all the pseudo-scientific data supporting the theory that internal tone controls "choke" the natural movement of the drum head, that the internal tone controls are still superior to all the sundry external muffling devices for the common batter coated snare drum head. There are going to be times when you are going to want more muffling - and there are times when you are going to want less - and the only way you are going to achieve this range is with something that is adjustable. Sure, there are adjustable external tone controls but, truth be told, I have never seen any name drummer or percussionist endorse or employ them. That being said, I am still of the opinion (after 30 some years in the percussion field) that internal tone controls should be installed on snare drum batter heads only. For tom toms and bass drums, I highly recommend drum heads that already come equipped with decay limiting technology which reduces harmonic dissonant overtones. One such example comes to mind: Remo has just released a clear head that features FOUR decay limiting mufflers, namely, double-thickness head, hydraulic oil, dot on the underside and muffling ring on the underside as well. This has got to be the doggone deadest drum head ever produced.
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