To calculate the transfer function of a damped 4 DOF system, one must consider the model of damping, which can be based on known physical sources or a modal damping model for small levels of damping. The approach involves solving a 4x4 quadratic eigenproblem, resulting in complex eigenvalues and mode shapes, indicating that the motion across different DOFs is not in phase. For practical applications, one can derive the damped transfer function from the undamped case by substituting stiffness coefficients with a complex term that includes damping. This method allows for accurate estimation of natural frequencies and system behavior under damping conditions. Understanding these principles is essential for effective system analysis and design.