Any practice pad out there that works worth a darn with a double pedal?

[ChaosDecides]

I recently bought a remote speedy hat and have to switch my two singles to a double. I have Axis X longboards. Previously I tried the Gibraltar bass drum practice pads but in a two singles configuration the pads sounded different enough to make things a nuisance when practicing rolls. Trying to line one of those up with a double pedal setup is a complete pain trying to line things up. I bought the Pro Mark pads and they work fine for two single pedals as they sound close enough not to throw me off, but that setup doesn't work for the remote speedy hat because other hardware is in the way. Trying to line up the double pedal with one of those pro mark pads is also an effort in futility because the base just isn't set up to line up properly.

Here's what they look like for reference:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/drums...-bass-drum-pad

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Mark-BDP-B.../dp/B0002CZR8G

I'm really getting annoyed with having to use practice pads for bass drum work and am chomping at the bit to buy my first kit, just getting all my ducks in a row before I pull the trigger on that purchase.

Are there any decent practice pads out there that will fit a double pedal without having to make it fit through some clever positioning? If the base of the Pro Mark was wider it would work fine, but I really don't feel like trying to figure out a way to alter it into a custom pedal (meaning pay someone else to build it). The slave pedal beater barely hits the edge of the pad when the pad is lined up directly in front of the master pedal as it was created to do. You have to slide the pad over and try and anchor it down on one edge and it just turns into a big annoying mess. You also have to have the beater slid so that it is almost all the way to the top (because the pad is so high up), which may be completely different to how you play with a real bass drum.

Not to knock either one of those practice pads, the Gibraltar works great for one pedal, and the Pro Mark does a good job for single pedal or two singles. I wouldn't recommend two Gibraltar pads at the same time unless you like having one sound as if you are accenting the note, and then try and adjust your pedal a million times, only to realize it isn't the pedals but the stupid pads. I'd purposely push down harder on one pedal because I thought the lower volume/power of the stroke was because of technique, which caused frustration to say the least.

Once I get my kit those stupid practice pads are headed for the closet. I'm lucky enough to have a neighbor across the street who is in a cover band they practice all the time, so the rest of the neighborhood (whether they like it or not) is desensitized to hearing a drum kit being played, which means I can thump away to my heart's content.

[Naigewron]

The Gibraltar pad will comfortably accomodate a double pedal. I used one of those for many years.

What exactly is your problem with it?

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by Naigewron

The Gibraltar pad will comfortably accomodate a double pedal. I used one of those for many years.

+1.

Easily.


2020202020

[ChaosDecides]

The problem is I cannot get a consistent note for each pedal in succession. One beater sounds slightly different than the other when it strikes the pad so I get the impression that I'm accenting one of the beats. Even if it is slight it still screws you up, especially since I'm in the early learning stages. When you are doing a single roll with double pedals you want a uniform sound.

[Naigewron]

Originally Posted by ChaosDecides

The problem is I cannot get a consistent note for each pedal in succession. One beater sounds slightly different than the other when it strikes the pad so I get the impression that I'm accenting one of the beats. Even if it is slight it still screws you up, especially since I'm in the early learning stages. When you are doing a single roll with double pedals you want a uniform sound.

Never had that problem with the Gibraltar, but I guess that will depend on how your pedal is constructed. If one beater hits in the centre and one off-centre, you will probably get two different sounds. I'd recommend you just get used to it, but I guess you can keep looking for a practise pad that will give you a consistent sound. I'm guessing that one made from a single, solid material will give you the best result. The Gibraltar pad is rubber with an air pocket behind it, so it does in fact behave somewhat like a drum head.

[Arky]

Come on, be a man.

I'm into drumming for less than 2 years so I'm no pro either. I'm using a RealFeel kick practice pad and the beater sound is slightly different although it's the same type of beater and the same pad they're hitting. Come on, it can't be that off. And if it is - might even be a good thing so you can separate your right vs. left foot strokes better. I can't see that this is a bad thing [EDIT: At least for practice - better detection of what's going on between your feet - helps identifying issues if there are any.].

[Toolate]

Same time in as Arky for me but from what I know most people with 2 bass drums are tuning them slightly different for the exact reason you are describing- to differentiate a bit between them.

[ChaosDecides]

Originally Posted by Arky

Come on, be a man.

I'm into drumming for less than 2 years so I'm no pro either. I'm using a RealFeel kick practice pad and the beater sound is slightly different although it's the same type of beater and the same pad they're hitting. Come on, it can't be that off. And if it is - might even be a good thing so you can separate your right vs. left foot strokes better. I can't see that this is a bad thing [EDIT: At least for practice - better detection of what's going on between your feet - helps identifying issues if there are any.].

Do you play your guitar with even one string slightly out of tune? I mean you could just deal with it and ignore any odd sound you heard when you strummed a chord, since it was close enough to sounding right.

[ChaosDecides]

Originally Posted by Toolate

Same time in as Arky for me but from what I know most people with 2 bass drums are tuning them slightly different for the exact reason you are describing- to differentiate a bit between them.

Well you can't include me in that group because I don't want two different sounding bass drums, obviously. I guess one could also use a mallet and a stick to play the snare drum as well, but trying to get an identical sounding roll wouldn't be so easy. There's a reason for symmetry in certain cases.

I'll take it that I'm stuck with what I've got and will have to wait for the real deal.

Thanks.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by ChaosDecides

Do you play your guitar with even one string slightly out of tune? I mean you could just deal with it and ignore any odd sound you heard when you strummed a chord, since it was close enough to sounding right.

Hey, please take my apologies. Maybe my reply was too harsh.

When it comes to guitar... you're right, I'm very picky! But you know what, if you fret a note on a lower string and play a higher open string in unison then they are identical in pitch... but not in timbre/sound.

It's up to you in the end. But we're talking _practice pad sound_, not the real drum sound. I wouldn't be too worried about kick practice pad sounds not being identical for both pedals/beaters. I'm serious, if your pedal/beater sound differs then this is actually a great way to make you more aware of your right vs. left foot. Use this advantage, you might benefit from it.

[Naigewron]

Originally Posted by Arky

When it comes to guitar... you're right, I'm very picky! But you know what, if you fret a note on a lower string and play a higher open string in unison then they are identical in pitch... but not in timbre/sound.

Also: A drum isn't a melodic instrument (in most cases). We don't deal with notes and pitches in the same way as other instruments.

[Boom]

Originally Posted by Naigewron

The Gibraltar pad will comfortably accomodate a double pedal. I used one of those for many years.

What exactly is your problem with it?

+2. I use the gibraltar pad regularly when I can't play my drums (late at night or whatever). It works well with a double pedal. No problems at all, and I'm pretty picky about that kind of stuff.

[Muckster]

Another vote for the Gibraltar. I have no problems with a double pedal using it.