This is a nice simple little tone control device that solves a lot of problems. Head treatments over the years, for the most part, have been everything from home made duct tape concoctions to rocket science Rube Goldberg type mechanisms to plastic rings. This product, to me, is the most logical device yet. No moving parts, sleek design, low profile and low maintenance. The idea for DrumClip may have come from the plastic clips on clip–on drum microphones. It can be called a muffler, but overtone controller is a better description.
DrumClip is made of a flexible plastic that snaps securely onto the hoop of a drum. It won’t come off unless you take it off and it stays in place. The broad surface that interacts with the drum head is strategically aligned to put only slight pressure on the head, which is enough to cancel the vibrations in the outer two inches of the head where most of the ringing happens. It comes with two different optional stick on pads; one felt and one rubber pad, that can be applied to the unit to further dampen the head.
What I like about the way DrumClip works is that it isn't attached to the head like plastic do-nut rings, duct tape, wallets, etc.
It stays in place and the head vibrates against it (or doesn't vibrate against it depending on how you want to look at it). DrumClip is small enough that it can stay on the drum when in transport in a case or bag, or thrown into a stick bag or cymbal bag. It can be detached on the fly for those times when you don’t want ring control. There are two models; the Regular DrumClip for toms and snares 12” and larger, and the Small DrumClip for toms 12” and smaller as well as larger toms. Both models can be used on bottom heads as well.
I played on drums outfitted with a variety of DrumClips at PASIC last month and they work great. I’ve been experimenting with the Regular DrumClip on my snare drums and really like the variation in controlling overtones that I can get with the different pads.
DrumClips can be ordered from the manufacturer’s website www.thedrumclip.com for $6.95 apiece plus sales tax and shipping.