jojo mayer new pedal: VIDEO FROM MUSIKMESSE

Arky · #1 03-21-2012, 11:26 AM

Just read it on facebook - together with the SONOR guys JoJo Mayer finally came up with his take on the bass pedal:

http://www.jojopedal.com/videos
There's a series of videos explaining various aspects of that pedal.
The pedal seems to be a quite smart design - e.g. it can be folded to take up minimum space.

I will check it out at the Frankfurt Musikmesse (on Friday).

Liebe zeit · #2 03-21-2012, 11:40 AM

LOL, utter marketing BS :D

Naigewron · #3 03-21-2012, 11:41 AM

Looks cool, and I'm sure it's great to play. However, some of what Jojo said seemed like obvious marketing gimmicks.

"Vintage pedals had perfectly balanced action, which means that the beater returns at the same pace as it was going forward"
This makes no logical sense to me... The forward motion of the beater is 100% determined by how fast you slam your foot down on the board, while the return motion is determined by the rebound of the head, the tightness of the spring and the general construction of it. In other words, these two motions are completely determined by completely different and unrelated forces, and both are influenced by other things than the construction of the pedal.

There's an obvious cut in the middle of that sentence though, so he might have been trying to describe it another way and then Sonor's marketing department figured that it would sound better this way.

I do like the folding design though.

bobdadruma · #4 03-21-2012, 12:17 PM

Crazy Germans!
They just love to over engineer everything!

Ever work on an Audi? It it an over engineering lovers paradise. :)

bermuda · #5 03-21-2012, 04:47 PM

Pedals with round cams and 1:1 foot-beater response never went away in the first place. Good marketing maybe, but it's hardly a "new" pedal or anything that's been missing from the pedals available from the usual companies. Jojo says he's been searching for a few decades... I don't know where he's been looking that he's missed all of the classic, round cam pedals out there.

I like the fold-up aspect of the pedal, but otherwise, I see nothing else new.

Bermuda

druid · #6 03-21-2012, 07:24 PM

is here....wonder when the DVD is coming...likely soon?

http://www.jojopedal.com/

Arky · #7 03-21-2012, 07:29 PM

I've already created a thread on this pedal today (as soon as I learned about it on facebook):

Sonor Perfect Balance Pedal (JoJo Mayer)
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=88851

Just as an info... (Drummerworld sometimes has several similar threads going simultaneously.)

The two threads have been merged here....Bernhard

#8 03-21-2012, 07:34 PM

The fold-up nature of this pedal and the strap drive really, really appeal to me. I've played strap-drive pedals before and I loved them.

I'm usually not that interested in pedals but I am definitely interested in this.

Mad About Drums · #9 03-21-2012, 07:40 PM

Very imformative clips, thanks for posting :)

I would love to see his new DVD, propably a gold mine for pedal technique by such a master. :)

scarlit · #10 03-21-2012, 07:42 PM

Price on this thing is gonna be sky high. Does look kinda cool tho

LukeSnyder · #11 03-21-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naigewron

Looks cool, and I'm sure it's great to play. However, some of what Jojo said seemed like obvious marketing gimmicks.

"Vintage pedals had perfectly balanced action, which means that the beater returns at the same pace as it was going forward"
This makes no logical sense to me... The forward motion of the beater is 100% determined by how fast you slam your foot down on the board, while the return motion is determined by the rebound of the head, the tightness of the spring and the general construction of it. In other words, these two motions are completely determined by completely different and unrelated forces, and both are influenced by other things than the construction of the pedal.

There's an obvious cut in the middle of that sentence though, so he might have been trying to describe it another way and then Sonor's marketing department figured that it would sound better this way.

I do like the folding design though.

The "returning at the same pace" thing is in reference to having a linear acceleration, by using a round cam.

harryconway · #12 03-21-2012, 08:20 PM

Madison Avenue Marketing BS at its finest. Certainly, Sonor makes good stuff (at a premium price) ... but strap drive has been around forever (not to be taken literally). In the 60's, there were more strap drive pedals, than direct drive. My Asba Caroline pedal is strap drive. So, just like fashon, someone re-invents the wheel. This is a better mousetrap.

Les Ismore · #13 03-21-2012, 08:26 PM

The folding design is bloody ace. Sonor helped him with that, they needed to redeem themselves for the DOCKING STATION which was/is an 'almost there'.

No independent foot board angle adjust, could have done it with a longer strap(?)

CAMCO cams from 81' and 83' ☟ Both appear to be round.

..............................

vinngadd · #14 03-21-2012, 10:47 PM

If anyone has ever listened to Jojo in interviews, it's very obvious that he's very deliberate about what he does. He's a guy who searches for exactly what he wants and if he can't find it, he looks to his companies to help him develop these things. Case in point, the Omni cymbal. It is a cymbal that does exactly what Jojo was looking for. It's a ride in every way and it's a crash in every way. The ride is a bit dry without being as dry as the Fierce Ride and has a very strong bell, the crash is as bright as an 18" or 19" while the cymbal itself is 21" the ride can be laid into with the wash of the crash being totally controlled and never gets in the way. The crash speaks quickly and decays quickly to get out of the way of the ride. No, this isn't a thread about the Omni, but my point is that all of these things were what Jojo was looking for in a cymbal and he couldn't find it, so he had it made. If Jojo really could have found exactly what he was looking for in a pedal that was already made, he wouldn't have designed this one. Sonor didn't approach him to design a pedal, he approached them because he had very specific design ideas that would give him the pedal he wanted. That's what any of these guys who have signature stuff do. Dave Weckl and the Sabian Evolution series, Vinnie and the A Customs. Don't' dismiss this pedal and all of the information as marketing BS when it's clear that anything signature was the brainchild of an artist who was searching for something that they couldn't get any other way. Marketing has to happen in order to make profits off of something mass produced, but, in any situation where an artist has teamed up with their company to create something, it's not BS. Those infomercials that make ordinary items out to be inconvenient, like the metal wallet commercials that depict a normal wallet as the worst thing in life just so they can make their product look better, that's marketing BS.

topgun2021 · #15 03-21-2012, 10:53 PM

He had a video about developing this a long time ago.

I have the personal belief that it is impossible to even make a "perfect" pedal.

Someone help me design a pedal for size 13 US shoes.

diegobxr · #16 03-22-2012, 02:02 AM

The pedal looks really really nice and well engineered. I believe him when he says he developed it, but basically saying that after the 50's all pedals became non-linear is BS. There are plenty of round cam pedals out there.

Anyway, I love the way Jojo plays and talks.

Not crazy about his new 70's pornstar look though.

Cheers.

Ted T · #17 03-22-2012, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arky

Just read it on facebook - together with the SONOR guys JoJo Mayer finally came up with his take on the bass pedal:

http://www.jojopedal.com/videos
There's a series of videos explaining various aspects of that pedal.
The pedal seems to be a quite smart design - e.g. it can be folded to take up minimum space.

I will check it out at the Frankfurt Musikmesse (on Friday).

New Sonor pedal eh? My Giant Step Double Pedal arrived just last week. Awesome piece of metal. I'll be reviewing it soon for you guys.

evilg99 · #18 03-22-2012, 03:40 AM

Looks like a great pedal. Like the folding/ clamping thing.
Jojo is very knowledgable and particular about bass drum pedals...as are a lot of people on this forum. As with any pedal, it will not suit everybody.
I really look forward to putting my foot down on this one!

Neal

bobdadruma · #19 03-22-2012, 03:52 AM

The clamping mechanism is overkill.
That will turn out to be the weak link in this pedal design.
To many moving parts to perform a simple task always means trouble.

I'll stay with my new Tama/ Camco.
Round cam design.
Light single row chain.
Juts over 100 USD

druid · #20 03-22-2012, 02:30 PM

I like my DW 9000s...which have a round cam which is fully adjustable.

My old DW 5000s have the skinny round cam.

Not a knock on his pedal at all though and I'd be interested in trying it to see how it feels.

Bo Eder · #21 03-22-2012, 06:34 PM

Not so much excited about the new pedal, but Jojo already has an absolutely fierce bass drum foot. I'm really interested what new things he's gonna play now that he has a pedal that won't get in the way of what his foot wants to do. Remember, he was doing incredible things in '05 with what looked like an old Pearl pedal on the Modern Drummer DVD. I'd be happy with a 10th of his foot technique!

Chaos_Inferno · #22 03-22-2012, 06:35 PM

Calling this over-engineered is ridiculous. It's using a lot of principles that have been around forever and simply consolidating them while adding that folding/clamping mechanism that seems pretty cool and rather useful. I love my Iron Cobras, but I've always loved the exceptionally light feel that Jojo is talking about, and I know he's been known to leave his springs outrageously loose like I've always liked, though I've tightened them up recently to try and readjust to how that feels and not be a one-trick pony with the way I approach different pedal techniques.

I do guarantee that for what this is it would be outrageously priced though. It's got a major artist backing it, involved with the design process, and it's an upper level Sonor product. They're my major drum company of choice... but you will ALWAYS pay a ridiculous premium for their higher end products.

I'd like to give one a shot, this sounds EXACTLY like the kind of pedal I'd want.

resohead · #23 03-22-2012, 06:55 PM

$299-$349 my guess. No thanks.

harryconway · #24 03-22-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by resohead

$299-$349 my guess. No thanks.

It might be even higher than that. I play a center pedal design, when I play double. Years ago, the only contenders (that I could get my feet on), were the Sonor (I didn't like it) and the Off-Set (that's the one I bought). A few years later, Sleishman found their way into the NAMM show. I got to try out their pedal, and fell in love. Sold the Off-Set, bought a Sleishman. Now, the Sonor http://www.indoorstorm.com/Sonor_Dru...mp-p-2270.html costs over $1300. MSRP $2689.95. Sheeeesh! Drum sets cost less than $1300. My Off-Set pedals and my Sleishman pedals combined price, came in at under $1300.

Now, Sonor makes top notch stuff, no doubt. But reality .... of all the drummers I know, not one plays a Sonor pedal. Axis, Trick, DW, Iron Cobra, Speed King, Pearl, Yamaha, Gibraltar .... yup, I know guys who own them, play them, and I've played them ! But not one cat I know plays a Sonor pedal. They just don't seem to sell well, in the US. Overseas, maybe a different story.

And, I'll stand by my marketing BS statement, VG. If harryconway had come up with this same idea, Sonor wouldn't give a rats a$$ about it (or me). But Jojo is their "golden boy", so he comes up with an idea, and Sonor thinks it might sell, and bam. New pedal on the market. I've seen Jojo play. At a NAMM show, I was so close to his feet (he was up on a 5' drum riser, doing a pedal demo) I coulda touched his right heel. Of course, he was playing Giant Step pedals. But, you know what, he coulda been playing vintage Camco pedals, and he woulda been just as good. The guy is simply a monster. So .... time will tell. If this pedal takes the world by storm, or not. It took about 5 years, for the Axis to really "hit its stride". I have nothing but time on my side. And I have a feeling this pedal, like all Sonor pedals before it, will remain fairly obscure.

Les Ismore · #25 03-22-2012, 10:36 PM

The clamping mechanism is overkill.
That will turn out to be the weak link in this pedal design.
To many moving parts to perform a simple task always means trouble.

This is true when you think about it.

I myself wouldn't have a problem with it, but take some *slightly* intoxicated drummer who in a moment of frustration with the band hurrying to set-up amidst a burning crowd- Not their kit, using their new Jo-Jo pedal... they over-tighten the clamp screw, push forward to mount-up and the mechanism breaks. Damn Sam!!

JoJo says in the vid, "Be careful not to over tighten the clamping screw, or it could damage the mechanism."

If that thing breaks PERFECT BALANCE is un useable, its not like a standard pedal that could limp through a show w/o a hoop clamp. You'd be screwed with a capital 'S', and try and fix that thing, looks specific, or anyway.... nobody'd be fixing it onstage.

I like the feature, but clearly its the pedals shining achilles heel.

So with further thought Im going to have to downgrade my statement in post #10 from "The folding design is bloody ace." to- SONOR took a 'giant step' here toward making the perfect hoop clamp mechanism, but still not there.

.... of all the drummers I know, not one plays a Sonor pedal.

Its mainly price, they're overpriced (coming form Germany) compared to the other stuff. The GIANT STEP is a nice pedal, but in the US drummers will opt for something cheaper that's as good, or better.

If harryconway had come up with this same idea, Sonor wouldn't give a rats a$$ about it (or me). But Jojo is their "golden boy", so he comes up with an idea, and Sonor thinks it might sell, and bam.

Aww HARRY, forget those SONOR guys, you're our golden boy here on the DW forum.

resohead · #26 03-23-2012, 03:00 AM

You're right HC, Sonor's Giant Step single pedal is sale priced at $595. I found an obscure, to me, dealer. Yikes!

bobdadruma · #27 03-23-2012, 03:13 AM

The reason why there is a warning about over tightening the clamp adjuster is because you can't feel the tension when installing the pedal.
You have leverage from pushing the stirrup forward to lock the clamp.
That can put a tremendous amount of force on the hoop.
The thing is a mouse trap.
I stand by my original statement about the pedal being over engineered.
All that Sonor has done is they reinvented the wheel and they made it complicated for no reason. A wheel is the perfect simple machine, It needs no improvement.

kauaiplayer · #28 03-24-2012, 04:29 AM

Sometimes I wish I could just read about a new product, rather than having to sift through a pile of videos.

Bernhard · #29 03-24-2012, 09:57 AM

Jojo was never really fully satisfied with all pedals he used over the years. So he started to handicraft own pedals consisting of parts from several brands.

Now after many years of experimenting he developed his very own pedal and realised it with the help of Sonor.

This is in my opinion a fine partnership and not to compare with all these signature stuff out there, just putting a label on a snaredrum, which the artist himself doesn't like and never play.....

Just yesterday i met Jojo and saw his appearance at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt. A great performance - and be sure: the pedal works - wow!!! I had permission to shoot some footage and i will put it up on Drummerworld soon.

Of course Jojo don't claim to have invented the wheel for the second time, but it's a fine great pedal for all his needs.

If you start practicing with this pedal, you can be sure it's not the materials fault, when you have some difficulties to achieve Jojo's skills.

By the way:
I don't understand all these fundamental critics here from wise esperts i'm sure they NEVER EVER played or tested the pedal in reality - a little bit unfair, isn't it?

Bernhard

Arky · #30 03-24-2012, 02:46 PM

I tested that pedal yesterday. According to SONOR the price will be around 249 Euros (didn't ask in USD, but my guess is around 349).

They had 3 or 4 of those pedals mounted to the floor, with HQ RealFeel kick practice pads to test them with (exactly the practice pad I'm using, and liking). Well the pedal does everything it's supposed to. It's a rigid construction in the SONOR quality one can expect. The spring tension was more on the loose side - not quite my taste but I didn't want to mess with the spring tension and left it as is. Ok, now I know how this pedal feels. You have to try out for yourself! It's sure no pedal (because there is no such pedal) which will make you "better" in an instant - no magic involved.

mattdrummer · #31 03-24-2012, 09:15 PM

I also had the chance to try it today. My first impression was that it is really light, I actually had to put the spring tension almost to maximum to be comfortable with it. I use normally medium tension. But altogether it's a good pedal, I was quite impressed with the speed of it.
Make sure you try it before you buy it, because as I said for me was first a bit uncomfortable with it's lightness. So it might not be for everyone.

Swiss Matthias · #32 03-24-2012, 11:48 PM

I tried it, too. It's a great pedal. I think it's hard to play loud with it, though. Which is
kind of what Jojo says. So the pedal may not be made specifically for louder rock
drummers.

Bernhard · #33 03-25-2012, 05:15 PM

Just put up the video from the appearance yesterday at the Frankfurt Musikmesse....

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayerff12.html

enjoy....

Bernhard

PeteN · #34 03-25-2012, 06:20 PM

Sweet looking pedal and excellent video!!! Thanks Bernhard :-)

Oh man....Can't wait to test drive this pedal

Sjogras · #35 03-25-2012, 06:57 PM

I think most people would agree that the securing mechanism is just a bit too much... To be honest, it is not important to be able to set up a pedal in say 10 seconds, as opposed to 20 seconds with a regular tightening mechanism.

Nevertheless, I'm sure it has great playing abilities but I find the mounting extremely unneccesary.

JohnnySomersett · #36 03-25-2012, 10:53 PM

I like the concept - and it looks well executed. The combination of smooth board with the round cam appeals to me. I wont be spending that much money on one though! Think I'll just stick with the IC

Swiss Matthias · #37 03-26-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernhard

Just put up the video from the appearance yesterday at the Frankfurt Musikmesse....

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayerff12.html

enjoy....

Bernhard

Thanks Bernhard, great stuff! Did you happen to record Todd Sucherman's solo at the
Messe by any chance?

Nodiggie · #38 03-26-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by resohead

$299-$349 my guess. No thanks.

I think I'll just hold out till I'm 85 when my single IC gives out then snipe this pedal off the Bay from someone who is disappointed they can't pull off JoJo licks with it.

EcnivZeud · #39 03-26-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernhard

Just put up the video from the appearance yesterday at the Frankfurt Musikmesse....

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayerff12.html

enjoy....

Bernhard

whouaow Thanks Bernhard. I wish I was there for the Musikmesse, so it's nice to have some videos to see how it was.

kingwayan · #40 03-26-2012, 10:49 PM

pretty sure that despite the differences in exchange rate, the price on the pedal will be 249 in whatever your local currency may be. i know that all parties involved wanted to keep the price below the 9000 and the Speed Demon.

believe me, Jojo tried and researched almost every bass drum pedal that one can get their hands on in the process of designing this one. the clamp mechanism may seem complicated, but it's really quite simple and secure. i normally use a strap-drive Iron Cobra, and the Jojo is way faster and lighter. if you can already pull of triples and whatnot, this pedal will definitely make your work more efficient, but it won't magically give you the ability to play the intro to "Hot For Teacher" with a single pedal.