Drummers know the struggle of getting the right sound out of their kit. Too much ring can muddy a performance, while too little life can leave the drums feeling completely flat. Over the years, people have tried everything—tape, towels, pillows—to control tone and volume. One option that’s been catching attention lately is the Mr. Muff line from Rohema, a German company with a long history in drumming gear. So, what’s the deal with these dampers? Let’s take a closer look…
Rohema and Mr. Muff: A Quick Background
Rohema’s been around for over a century, mostly known for sticks and percussion tools, but since 2022, they’ve been working on the Mr. Muff line. Made in Germany, these products use materials like wool felt and cotton, paired with designs that aim to make damping straightforward. The idea is to give drummers a way to tweak their sound quickly, without messing around with makeshift fixes.
What’s in the Mr. Muff Range?
The Mr. Muff lineup covers quite a few bases—snares, toms, cymbals, even bass drums. Here’s a breakdown of what they offer:
- Mr. Muff Muffins
These are round dampers with a wool felt ring and a cotton cloth center – a bit like a tea towel. They are sized from 10in to 16in to match standard drum heads. You can stack them if you want more muting. They’re built to cut overtones while keeping the drum responsive, and there’s a tab to pull them off fast. The 10in version also has a hole in the middle, which works for cymbals or hi-hats too. - Mr. Muff MuffBites
These cover about a third of the drumhead and use magnets to stick to steel hoops (or clamps for die-cast ones). They’re meant for a drier, punchier sound without killing the drum’s natural tone. You can flip them to the bottom head too, if that’s your thing and they work on the bottom of snare heads as well leaving the snare wire uncovered. Sizes go from 10in to 16in. - Mr. Muff MiniMuff
This one’s smaller, made with synthetic fur, and clips onto the hoop with a spring and Velcro setup. Think of it as a really cool looking Snareweight! It’s got a weight you can take off to adjust the effect and a magnet to hold it up when you don’t need it. It’s subtle—good for light overtone control or a retro feel on snares and toms. - Mr. Muff BassMuff|
Designed for bass drums, this one handles the low-end rumble. It’s another quick-on, quick-off option, though it’s less about finesse and more about practical muting.
How They Work in Practice
The Mr. Muff gear is all about being easy to use. The Muffins, for instance, sit on the head and dampen without much fuss giving less ring, but the stick still bounces back well. The MuffBites focus on specific areas of the drum, which can be handy if you only need partial control. The MiniMuff’s more of a niche tool; it’s not heavy-handed, so it’s better for fine-tuning than major sound shifts. Drummers who’ve used them say they’re solid for switching tones fast, like going from open to muted during a set.
The materials lean toward a warmer, older-school sound—think wool and cotton instead of plastic or gel. That might appeal if you’re into vintage vibes, though it’s not going to be everyone’s preference.
What’s the Catch?
They’re not perfect for every situation. Some drummers might find them less flexible than, say, a strip of gaffer tape or a gel dot, which you can stick anywhere. And while the magnetic mounts and clips are clever, they’re mostly built for standard setups—oddball kits might need some improvisation.
Thoughts on Mr. Muff
The Mr. Muff line seems to sit in a middle ground: more polished than DIY solutions, but not as clinical as some high-tech dampening systems. It’s interesting if you like gear that’s quick to adjust and doesn’t clutter your kit. Rohema’s clearly aiming for drummers who value convenience and a bit of that classic tone and want their dampening to look pretty sleek and cool!
Pop in to Drummers Only today and give them a try!
