Choosing the right bass drum pedal (aka kick drum pedal or kick pedal) is an important decision because of the effect it can have on a drummer’s playing ability. A bad pedal can hinder a drummer’s ability to play the bass drum if it’s not responsive to the motion of the player’s foot.
You should also consider the technical demands of the bass drum in your musical genre. For example, most drummers in metal or hard rock bands will want a double pedal option to compete with the speed and volume these specific genres present.
Fortunately, choosing a pedal is simple once you understand the different driving mechanisms powering each type of pedal. The following buyer’s guide is meant to help you drummers choose a pedal that will sound and feel great.
Bass Drum Pedal Type
The main factors in deciding which type of pedal works best are your technical aspirations and preferred musical genre. Most drummers can perform advanced patterns with a single pedal on one drum, but individuals wanting to push their coordination and speed to the limit can choose a double pedal.
Pedal Types
Single Pedal
This is a single pedal with a single footboard for playing one bass drum.
Double Pedal
This is a pedal with two separate footboards allowing two feet to play on the same bass drum.
Note:
You can achieve the double bass drum effect by using two separate single pedals on two separate individual bass drums. Most drummers prefer a single or double pedal because they only have one bass drum.
Pedal Mechanism
Single and double bass pedals can be driven by one of the three following mechanisms.
Chain-Driven
A metal chain connects the beater to the footboard. Chain-driven pedals are popular for their strength and ease of use.
Strap
This is a leather or plastic strap which connects the beater to the footboard. Strap-driven pedals require getting used to and tend to break over time.
Direct Drive
A metal bar attaches the beater directly to the footboard. These pedals require getting used to and tend to be very responsive.
Beater Type
Included with most pedals, this is the portion of the pedal which actually strikes the bass drum head. It’s connected to the pedalboard by your preferred driving mechanism. Most pedals offer the option of interchangeable beaters.
Felt Beater
This is a versatile beater with a playing surface made from felt and is dynamic enough to produce good sound at any volume.
Wooden Beater
A beater type featuring a very articulate, wooden playing surface.
Hard Beater
These are beaters with plastic or metal playing surfaces best used for extreme volume in louder genres like metal. Most drummers have the heads playing surface reinforced so it won’t break during play.
Fluffy Beater
These beaters are very soft, often looking like a timpani mallet. They’re rarely used for normal play because of their “boomy” sound and lack of articulation.
Parts
Multiple parts make up a bass drum pedal with higher-end pedals offering the ability to adjust said parts to your specific preference. Since they affect the overall feel of a pedal, it’s crucial you learn how to properly adjust these parts.
Footboard
This is a flat piece of metal your foot rests on. When pressure is applied to the footboard, the beater strikes the bass drum head. Some footboards have a removable toe piece that stops the foot from moving around while playing.
Beater
This is the portion of the pedal striking the bass drum head. It’s connected to the pedalboard by your preferred driving mechanism.
Cam
When pressure is applied to the footboard, the cam rotates and causes the beater to strike the head. Remember, the better your cam, the better your pedal performance.
Spring
Located on the side of the pedal, the spring pulls the beater back into the starting position after striking the drumhead. The tension of the spring determines how much pressure it takes to strike the head.
Clamp
The clamp attaches the pedal to the rim of the bass drum and prevents the pedal from moving around.
Spikes
Some pedals have adjustable spikes which dig into the ground or rug you have under your kit to prevent the pedal from moving around during play.
Features
A pedal’s features often help determine its playability. Listed below are common features available on most quality pedals.
Adjustable Cam
This part allows the angle of the beater to be adjusted with a drum key.
Adjustable Spring
These springs can be adjusted to change the amount of kickback. The best pedals allow easy access to the spring for adjustment.
Footboard Tread
While some pedals have a smooth surface for easy sliding, others provide have a textured, treaded surface for better foot control.
Adjustable Footboard
Some pedals allow for adjustments to the angle and other aspects of the footboard.
Adjustable Beater
This mechanism allows you to easily adjust the length of the beater. It also permits the player to switch out their current beater for a different one.
Clamp Tension Device
This is a wingnut controlling the tension of the clamp which attaches the pedal to the bass drum rim. Higher-end pedals have the wingnut placed off to the side for easy adjustment.
Performance
The performance of a bass drum pedal depends largely on the player's comfort level. Start by testing each of the three types of driving mechanisms, which include chain, strap, and direct link. You’ll also want to choose your type of beaters which are interchangeable and can be purchased separately; it’s not uncommon for drummers to have multiple beaters for different playing situations.
It’s best to begin your search with an Iron Cobra or DW pedal using the chain-driven pedal mechanism option. If it feels too tight or too loose, try adjusting the spring tension as well as playing repeated strokes, multiple volumes, and then some difficult patterns. If you slide or rock while you play, note the pedal's responsiveness to the motion of your foot. Next, try “feathering” the bass and see how soft it can play.
After trying the chain-driven option, try the same pedal with a strap followed by a direct drive pedal such as an Axis pedal or Sonar’s “Perfect Balanced” pedal. The pedals and drive mechanisms will feel drastically different from one another so spend some time deciding which you like the best.
Often the feel of a single pedal is the same as a particular model of a double pedal. For example, if you like the feel of an Iron Cobra single pedal, you’ll probably enjoy the feel of an Iron Cobra double pedal as well.
Once you have chosen a preferred driving mechanism, you can refer to my list of best drum pedals to help you choose a brand right for you.
Value/Reliability
Up to a certain price point, you get what you pay for. Pedals priced under $140 are typically poorly made and usually fall apart quickly. However, once you rise above this price point, you’ll find a range of superior pedals that can meet your needs. The best thing to do is simply to try a lot of pedals and then shop around for the best price.
High-end drum companies generally make reliable pedals such as Tama’s Iron Cobra line, and DW’s 5000 and 9000 models. Pearl also produces great pedals while certain companies such as Axis and Sonar specialize in direct drive options.