Yes, we live in the PNW, with the worst most toxic air in the world. Going outside without a tight fitting N95 mask means choking and coughing, it gets you right by the throat. Toxic. No just wood smoke, hundreds if not thousands of structures also, cars, trucks, animals, people even. We haven't seen sunshine or the sky since Monday the 7th. My biggest purchase of the week was 20x20 box fan online, not available in stores and a reusable K&N 20x20x1" washable filter to filter our inside air, can't open the windows.
Back to drums.
My drum heads are all 20 years old, just getting better. I have to ask other drummers not to put holes in them, and not to break my old Zildjian cymbals.
My recipe for excellent drum sound.
Coated Remo Ambassador on top, clear on bottom, uncoated heads are more resonant.
I have bottom heads on all my drums, full head in front of the bass, which I keep elevated off the floor to ring better.
I love shell overtones, I don't try to damp anything.
I use a felt beater on a Ludwig Speed King, and I have a round stick on reinforcement there, that's it for the bass drum. The sound of the bass is all in the resonant head.
I usually go slightly lower on the resonant head, that's how I was taught.
I tune all drums to proper tonal intervals.
My old Zildjians are all tuned lower and lower like the drums as you go across.
My ride and last crash ride are both 22". Old Zildjians are just magical cymbals.