It's great to see the experimentation with bass drum heads and the impact they can have on your sound. Like many, I've played around with different setups, and both the Evans EMAD and Remo Powerstroke are excellent choices depending on the sound you're after.
With Evans EMAD, the adjustable damping rings can really simplify the process of finding the right balance between resonance and control. It’s super convenient for switching up your sound for genres like rock, where a deeper oomph is needed, compared to jazz, where a more open tone might be more desirable.
Speaking about jazz, tuning is a critical aspect. I generally find tuning the batter head a bit tighter gives a more articulate sound, allowing the nuances of each stroke to come through. On the other hand, for rock, you can loosen the batter head to get that deep punch and mix it with some internal muffling. I’ve used everything from pillows to specialized bass drum pads to control that unwanted resonance.
Muffling can be tricky, but sometimes simply draping a towel just touching the head or using felt strips can give you precisely the control you need without cutting too much of the natural tone. It’s really all about experimentation and what feels right for your playing style and the specific setting you’re in.
Have you also considered changing your beaters? Felt and wood beaters can significantly change the attack and tone of the bass drum. It might be a subtle change, but it could help refine your sound further. What’s your current experience with different beaters?