Best Percussion Dampening Pads on Amazon

Dampening a percussion instrument is a key element for producing a more dynamic, exciting sound. This is especially important when playing in front of a live audience, where the audience can hear the impact of the sound and react accordingly. A dampening pad can help deliver that same kind of dynamic response that can be heard in larger venues. A dampener is simply a pad that is placed on the top of your percussion instrument. It can either be a physical layer or a sound dampener that dampens the initial vibrations of an instrument, helping it to continue at a steady and consistent pace. Additionally, the dampened instruments are able to create more sustain during the playing of all instruments that contain them. Read on to see our list of the best percussion dampening pads on the market.

What are tips for finding the right percussion dampening pad?

Beware of dual-use products. An easy way to ruin a dampener pad is to use it on an instrument that already has a foam pad. Not only will this create a hybrid pad that doesn’t fit your instrument, but it could actually cause the dampeners to be ineffective.

Don't assume that just any dampener will work on your drum. Consider the size of your drums. If your equipment is large, you'll need a larger pad for it. Also, some drummers like to practice with smaller pads, so they can get used to playing with a smaller pad before attempting to play with an 8-inch pad.

Pick a pad material carefully. While most dampener pads are made from latex, it‘s important to pick a material that's durable but not too hard. Some manufacturers use foam in their pads; others use silicone. Silicone is harder than foam, which makes it a good choice if your drummer uses a lot of hard drums.

Choose a pad that matches your setup. Percussion players often use a variety of pads for different instruments, and choosing a color or texture for your pad isn't necessarily a wise choice. A thin pad won't work if you have a thick snare, a wide beat zone for a clap-only bar, or a large pad to cover all of the little instruments in your band.

What are things to consider when looking for a percussion dampening pad?

Durability

We tested the strength of each dampener pad, as well as its ability to hold up over time. The softer the pad the better, so we'd suggest a pad with at least a 10 on the rating scale.

Padding

The padding abilities of the padding are another important feature to consider. It should be comfortable on all aspects of your drums, and it should provide the right sound you want.

Noise

Noise levels were also a key factor in our testing process. We checked to see how each individual pad could be affected by the sound of a recording of a song. The louder the recording was, the more the dampeners struggled to stay in place.

How expensive are percussion dampening pads?

Damping pad prices vary based on size and ingredients.

Inexpensive

The most economical percussive dampeners cost between $5 and $20. These are usually small, single-dose compressible types.

Mid-range

A larger variety of percussion pad sizes, from one-ounce to six-ounces, can be found in the $25 to $80 price range.

Expensive

Large, multi-use pads and higher-quality percussion dampening pads are found between the top $100 and the upper $200 price point.

How we chose our selection of percussion dampening pads?

Reviews

We want to ensure that every product we recommend is up to the job. This is why we made sure to check out all the feedback and reviews from customers. Each item received positive feedback from users, which is an excellent indicator of its quality.

Price

Pricing for percussion devices is always a tricky thing, but we do understand that everyone has different budgets. That is what we have used to come up with a selection of the best-priced products on the market.

Quality

While every company will make some variation of dampeners, the quality of their products is never something to take lightly. The quality we chose was selected because of how much it guarantees, not just how it looks. It is also a result of careful manufacturing practices to prevent any form of damage to your instrument.

What are the features to look for in percussion dampening pads?

Price

Everyone has a different level of disposable income and we wanted to find a range of products that all can afford to pay for quality products. We tried to identify a wide range in terms of price so that no matter your income, you can find something that will fit your needs.

Brand

When it comes to instruments, many brands offer a decent range, although not many companies provide a competitively priced product. Because of this, we did our research to know which brands provide the products we need.

Reviews

When you‘re purchasing a product, it's important to get as much information as possible. By checking the reviews, users across the globe can tell you about the good and the bad about a given product before they buy it. Feedback from existing customers also helps us understand what is the most suitable option for every user.

Form

Performers should take the importance of applying the performance-enhancing pad seriously. They should ensure they follow the instructions and ensure the pad has been applied correctly. If you get the wrong form, no amount of pad will have any effect, making it easy for a performer to make a mistake, leaving them vulnerable to potential damage.

About Percussion Dampener

Percussion has a wide range of instruments, which means that there are a lot of things to consider when you’re looking for the perfect dampener for your instrument. While many manufacturers have tried to make their dampeners as user-friendly as possible, there is still much to learn. That‘s why we've made this short guide full of all the key things you should know when looking to buy a dampener for a musical instrument of any size.