With a 24 (or any size for that matter), the less crap on the head (like the built in rings and Remo tray rings etc..) the better sound you will get. Point taken. Def gonna try a batter head without the foam ring.
Here's a few types that get a big fat tone and resonance without over ring.
Remo Pinstripe.
Remo Coated Pin (fatter sounding than clear)
Remo Clear or Coated Emperor.
Remo P3 This has been recommended a few times now but...
Remo Coated P3 (a bit more warmth in the initial attack, a little beefier sound). I like the sound of "Beefier"
Aqaurian Studio X
Aquarian Carmine Appice (very cool head--I took the extra "O" off and just used the big dot)
Aquarian Performance 2 (Very low, deep sounding head) I like the sound of this one too.
Evans EQ1 Frosted (great head for attack/tone balance using just the small attached ring).
A kevlar beater patch is going to give more click in the attack, and one like the Aquarian patch is going to get less. Pretty sure mine is a kevlar one. I know what I wont be getting next time!
The PDP platinum drums are really nice, and I actually like them better than the DW collectors because they have a straight shell (vs. re-rings).
Have fun with them! I would consider getting a 16" floor tom though. A 12-16 jump is pretty cool--I use that combo all the time. And if you had a 12-16-18, that's just plain huge sounding. I wouldn't be able to play 2 floor toms but it would be cool, maybe I'll put one either side of me? hmmm.
The less junk you put in the shell the better as well IMO. If anything, I'd use a 1" piece of foam just at the bottom of the shell (cut to just barely touch both heads, or placed to touch just one), or a small blanket, just to keep the sound from bouncing around too much. It's empty now. Might try a small towel or blanket to reduce a few overtones.
THAT'S what contributes most of the overly boomy tone you can get. Punch, attack, tone, even a slightly long note is (usually) good and/or OK.
As long as there isn't an uncontrolled "ooooo" in there. I can't get any oooo. The sound is short and sharp no matter what I do.
Whatever you use, make sure you can get at it easily if you need to adjust it.
One of the reasons foam is great is it's flat, and you can tape it down in the spot you want, and basically forget it.
Blankets or pillows move around and can get bunched up, and then you're having to mess with it.
With stuff on the head and in the shell, you are loosing frequencies you DO want, which project the sound of the drum to people other than yourself needing to hear it.
Also, if the kick sounds very deep, or low to YOU, it's most likely NOT going to be heard over any sort of loud music--unless you pound the crap out of it. I do.
AND, if it's not projecting over, or within other instruments, and is part of the whole sound of the music, even with a mic on it, you aren't going to hear it.
Just take some time with it, play with the tuning, and get to know your drum.
You can get a great (fat, big, open or more controlled, whatever) sound that works for any style of music without having to re-tune for the different styles.
It just takes some quality time with your drum.
I run a 20x26 kick, with a Coated ambassador batter, single ply front reso (4" holz for a mic) with minimal muffling and I NEVER get anything but great comments from sound men in big or small venues. No complaints, or a "you should..." from anyone.
Even though the drum is pretty open, through a PA, or out front of the drum just hearing it, it's just a full sound with balanced attack and tone.
In an un-miked situation, the drum always sound good within the music as well.
You may like a more controlled sound, but the idea is, the less "stuff" inhibiting your drum, the better result (all around) you will end up with. That makes a lot of sense thinking about it. It's a bit like making a nice dinner and then covering it in salt, pepper, butter and ketchup.
* And if you play in a band, the more they can hear your bass drum, the more you can keep them in line.
Good luck! Enjoy those Platinums!