Small Drum Mounted in Front of Bass Drum

by Matt
(ND, USA)

Forgive my ignorance;

Does the drum (appears to be a snare) positioned on the front of some drummers bass serve a sonic purpose? Is it purely aesthetic? Just another endorsement?

Thanks.

ANSWER

Hi, Matt--

The drum is called a "Subkick". It is a specialized microphone mounted in a shell which picks up more bass frequencies when used in conjunction with a traditional microphone.

Lynne