PS3 bass head tuning and pedal feedback

konaboy

Pioneer Member
Hey guys,

Switched from Aquarian SK's after 10 years of using them to the PS3 a few months ago on my 22" yamaha kick, love how it opens the sound of the drum up compared to the SK. However I'm getting some vibration feedback through my bass pedal that just feels odd that I've never had in 27 years of playing. I tuned the PS3 up a little past wrinkle to get it to start to sing a little and provide decent rebound, using an Aquarian regulator reso. Is it a sympathetic thing going on between the two heads and I just haven't found the sweet spot? Having a hard time figuring out which way to go with the tuning.
 
Last edited:
I've played PS3's for years. Personally, I like 'em tuned up a bit.....certainly past JAW. I'm not familiar with the reso you're using....I just run a PS3 as reso as well. The beater rebound with this tuning has never felt strange to me, but you may have to play around with it for a while given they're different heads to what you've been familiar with. I also play a 22" kick, wide open or a small towel between the pedal and batter if neccesary. There's tons of bottom end, but I still get a distinct attack as well. I'll add that I also use a falam slam patch, so not sure if that has any affect on the beater rebound. Great heads IMO!!
 
I've played PS3's for years. Personally, I like 'em tuned up a bit.....certainly past JAW. I'm not familiar with the reso you're using....I just run a PS3 as reso as well. The beater rebound with this tuning has never felt strange to me, but you may have to play around with it for a while given they're different heads to what you've been familiar with. I also play a 22" kick, wide open or a small towel between the pedal and batter if neccesary. There's tons of bottom end, but I still get a distinct attack as well. I'll add that I also use a falam slam patch, so not sure if that has any affect on the beater rebound. Great heads IMO!!


Yeah I run it wide open as well, with a falam slam patch.

The regulator reso is http://www.aquariandrumheads.com/products/regulator-series the one with the 4 3/4" port. has a "floating muffling ring" around the center of the head to help with overtones it's a single ply head.
 
Hey guys,

Switched from Aquarian SK's after 10 years of using them to the PS3 a few months ago on my 22" yamaha kick, love how it opens the sound of the drum up compared to the SK. However I'm getting some vibration feedback through my bass pedal that just feels odd that I've never had in 27 years of playing. I tuned the PS3 up a little past wrinkle to get it to start to sing a little and provide decent rebound, using an Aquarian regulator reso. Is it a sympathetic thing going on between the two heads and I just haven't found the sweet spot? Having a hard time figuring out which way to go with the tuning.

Not sure what you are referring to. Sounds like you bury the pedal in the head and are getting double hits?
 
Do my best to not bury the pedal, happens occasionally but really feel it on quick doubles, play single pedal only.
 
I think the chances are good that you just need to get used to it, and perhaps pay some attention to not burying the beater.
 
I think the chances are good that you just need to get used to it, and perhaps pay some attention to not burying the beater.

That's what I was going to say plus maybe tighten it up just a bit. I use Aquarian SK's but have used a Powerstroke before and had the same issue. I just tightened the head up a bit and that helped to a degree. It's just something you have to adjust to. After a while it no longer bothered me.
 
Hey guys,

Switched from Aquarian SK's after 10 years of using them to the PS3 a few months ago on my 22" yamaha kick, love how it opens the sound of the drum up compared to the SK. However I'm getting some vibration feedback through my bass pedal that just feels odd that I've never had in 27 years of playing. I tuned the PS3 up a little past wrinkle to get it to start to sing a little and provide decent rebound, using an Aquarian regulator reso. Is it a sympathetic thing going on between the two heads and I just haven't found the sweet spot? Having a hard time figuring out which way to go with the tuning.

Front head ported?

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com
http://www.patentcoachmike.com
http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.facebook.com/mike.mccraw
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemccraw
http://twitter.com/mikemccraw
 
Okay, educate me on this:

I've played mostly PS3s and currently have an EMAD w/o foam ring. Sometimes I tend to bury the beater and have noticed on recordings some unwanted double bounces as a result.

I've been working on better control in that dept. but am I hearing that the SK somehow minimized that unwanted bounce? How does that work - any theories??

Does it make the head more difficult to play when you do want rebound? I've never used an Aquarian head on anything, but wouldn't be opposed to trying one if I thought there was some advantage.
 
Okay, educate me on this:

I've played mostly PS3s and currently have an EMAD w/o foam ring. Sometimes I tend to bury the beater and have noticed on recordings some unwanted double bounces as a result.

I've been working on better control in that dept. but am I hearing that the SK somehow minimized that unwanted bounce? How does that work - any theories??

Does it make the head more difficult to play when you do want rebound? I've never used an Aquarian head on anything, but wouldn't be opposed to trying one if I thought there was some advantage.

Mike,

As a lifelong fellow PS3 user, you probably aren;t going to like the gooey, gummy fell of the SuperKick head. Everytime I play one of these, it's like playing into a piece of stick gum.


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com
http://www.patentcoachmike.com
http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.facebook.com/mike.mccraw
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemccraw
http://twitter.com/mikemccraw
 
I took both heads and re-tuned them today using Bob Gatzen's LPP method. Didn't have much time to play since I had to leave for work but what little bit I did the feel was different. Will have to give some feedback tonight after I get done rehearsing.
 
Well the tuning did help some, the rebound feels better as well as the tone, still feeling a little tingling in my right foot after playing for a 1/2 hour and I paid close attention to pedal technique making sure I wasn't burying the beater which I wasn't. Actually tried to a couple times, boy did that feel wierd!

So I believe some of it had to do with tuning between the 2 heads, some of it is just the head and the rest I have no idea why i get that vibration tingling effect in my foot.
 
Back
Top