The vent hole plays an important role in performance, since it affects not only the sensation of hitting the drum (the impact), but also the initial sound, sustain and tone.
Through an exhaustive series of prototypes, Yamaha has discovered the optimal number and vent hole position depending on the air capacity of each shell. Particularly, vent holes contribute to the enhancement of tone colors in midrange to low-frequency sounds, as well as the control of sustain.