Blackburn said:
On...without the resonant head you lose all definition to the sound.
Malarkey!!! (a polite was of saying BULLSHIT!!!)
Whether to keep the front head on or off really depends upon the music and production goal.
If you are going to have a very sparce, few tracks mix, and the kick needs to fill a lot of space in the "time line" of the song, the front head on would be best.
If you are going to have a dense mix, with a lot of busy parts, and the kick just needs a good little click and some punch, but little time in the "time line", head off seems to work better.
If I am tracking a rock, blues, funk, etc...type of band, I just start off by taking it off IF I can convince the drummer that it is the right thing to do. I have been burned too many times with relenting to them and keeping it on. In most cases, I end up triggering another sound to make the mix work!!!
I almost NEVER need to trigger another sound with the front kick head off.
YMMV, but if it does, you probably need a tune up....
Ed