Filling the drum half full is too much. This section is included only to give examples of the results of the various techniques described above, not so you can magically sound like some multi-platinum drummer who has LOTS of expensive equipment and hires people to polish the Jack Daniels off of his hardware. Also, these are not quotes, but learned observations. With the snares off, the drum should sound like a medium-pitched timbale with lots of ring and overtones. The only muffling is usually a couple felt strips stretched across the inside of both heads.
Overtones are welcome here.
Stewart Copeland Snare Same as Gene Krupa but twice as tight. Bass Sorta tight, but still deep. Normal rock muffling. Toms Same as Gene Krupa but twice as tight. Both heads tuned to the same pitch.