Whether you are in the market to purchase a new drum pedal, or you are looking to learn about the various parts and features of today’s drum gear, The-Drum-Site is here to shed some light. Using real examples, the parts and features of these pedals are illustrated. This page will explain in detail everything you will need to know about your next bass drum pedal.
- Adjustability - Just how much flexibility are you looking for? Today’s drummers are more spoiled than ever with options, and bass drum pedals are no exception. The pedals of yesteryear had virtually no adjustability, but today’s pedals are quite different, especially the high-end ones. Many drummers are very particular when it comes to the feel of their pedals; feel can be the difference between a good or a bad night behind the drums. So just what can be adjusted? Spring Tension: Virtually every pedal on the market offers this adjustment. The spring tension affects the feel of the pedal – how hard you must press on it with your foot to move the beater toward the drumhead, and also rebound – how fast the beater will come back when you release your foot. A lot of drummers will tell you that their foot speed is affected by spring tension. Beater angle vs. footboard angle: again virtually all modern bass drum pedals will allow you to adjust beater angle, or how close the beater is positioned to the drumhead without depressing the pedal. Footboard angle refers to how high or low the angle of the footboard sits when the pedal is not depressed. The difference between many pedals is beater angle versus footboard angle. Many lower-end pedals will not have an independently adjustable beater angle and footboard. In other words, you will only have one adjustment – when you alter the beater angle, the footboard moves with it, and vice versa. On the other hand, many high-end pedals will allow you to adjust the beater angle without affecting the footboard angle, and vise versa. Cam / throw: Lastly, the design of the cam really affects the throw of the beater and overall feel of the pedal. Most lower-end and intermediate pedals have a non-adjustable cam. However, many high-end pedals offer variations and adjustment options for the cam. For example, DW’s 8000 and 9000 series pedals have adjustable cams – you can keep the cam centered on the rotor, or you can offset it to allow for less effort towards the end of the stroke. Pearl’s Powershifter pedals have a slightly different variation on this, Pearl includes various snap-in cams that are interchangeable to affect offset and throw.
- Base Plate -The base plate is basically the stabilizer on which the pedal is built. A base plate offers stability and a solid feel. Some lower-end pedals do not have base plates, but tubular frame braces instead. Frame braces don't offer as much stability - the heel plate of the pedal will have play from side to side with this design, whereas with a base plate, the heel plate is bolted down and cannot move
- Bearing - ball bearings are used in virtually all pedals to reduce friction and provide a smooth feel. However, in higher-end pedals, ball bearings are used in more places. On a low-end pedal, there will most definitely be bearings used on each end of the rotor, but with high-end pedals, ball bearings may also be used in the hinge, on the shaft, and even on the spring retainers. More bearings means less friction, less noise, and an easier moving pedal.
- Beater - The beater is what actually strikes the drumhead when the pedal is depressed. Beaters are offered in many shapes, materials and designs. Traditionally, beaters were made of round felt balls. Now beaters are offered in plastic, rubber, and wood. Each offer a different sound. The good news is that most beaters are interchangeable and relatively inexpensive, so you're never stuck with the same beater. Many pedal manufacturers offer beaters that have two or even up to four different beater faces on the same beater, so all you have to do is turn the beater to achieve a different sound. Other manufacturers like Tama offer beaters with interchangeable heads.
- Cam - the cam sits on the drive shaft and attaches the drive mechanism to the footboard. Traditionally, cams were rounded and centered on the rotor. Now many pedals utilize offset cams to promote more power at the end of the stroke. Lower-end pedals will most likely have non-adjustable cams. However, many high-end pedals offer variations and adjustment options for the cam. For example, DW’s 8000 and 9000 series pedals have adjustable cams – you can keep the cam centered on the rotor, or you can offset it to allow for less effort towards the end of the stroke. Pearl’s Powershifter pedals have a slightly different variation on this, Pearl includes various snap-in cams that are interchangeable to affect offset and throw.
- Connecting Rod / Universal - A connecting rod is used in double bass pedals to connect the slave pedal to the primary pedal. Universal joints are similar to those used in the automotive and truck industry. They allow each end of the connecting rod to "bend" in any direction.
- Double Bass Pedal - A "dual-pedal" that connects to a single bass drum to allow the drum to be played with both feet, simulating a double bass drum set.
- Drive / Linkage (mechanism) - The drive mechanism connects the footboard to the cam. There are several types of drive mechanisms on the market, including chain, strap, belt and direct. Most pedals use a chain for the drive. Heavy-duty pedals will use a dual-chain drive, whereas lightweight pedals may use a single chain. Strap and belt drives are an alternative to chains - they won't use a sprocket, and will yield a quiet operation. Direct drives are usually metal or some type of alloy that hinge to the cam and the footboard. Many drummers prefer a direct drive because there is no play between the beater and the footboard.
- Drive Shaft - The shaft that the cam is attached to.
- Footboard - The part of a pedal that a drummer's foot is rested on.
- Heel Plate - Found at the end of the pedal, this is where the heel of the foot rests. Some pedals do not have heel plates - specifically those designed for "heel up" drummers, who never rest their heels while playing.
- Hinge - The hinge typically connects the heel plate to the footboard. All footboards are hinged at the end of the pedal, whether they are heel-less or standard.
- Hoop Clamp - The hoop clamp attaches and secures the pedal to the bass drum hoop.
- Hybrid Pedals - The-Drum-Site defines non-traditional pedals as hybrid pedals. An example of this is The Duallist Single Foot Double Bass Drum Pedals.
- Slave Pedal - This refers to the secondary pedal of a double bass pedal. For a right-handed double bass pedal, the slave is the left pedal; for a left-handed double bass pedal, the slave is the right pedal.
- Spur - These metal claws are used to anchor pedals to the ground so the pedal and bass drum will not "walk" away from the drummer while being played.
|
T-D-S Drum Pedal Sections:
 |
