Using 2 Bass Drums?

puppet

New member
hey there, is it true that playing double pedals with 2 bass drums which means 2x single pedals is easier to control than twin pedals?
 
i think so. cauze i have difficulty coping with a single drum (double pedal), and its easier when the 2x bass drums are present.
 
My Opinion

I don't think so really - They should be somewhat similar (no diff) - it depends on your Control of the Left Foot.

Maybe trend is such that nowadays - they use Twin-Pedal on a single Bass Drum (not so Bulky) yet can play double-Pedal....

But having 2 Bass Drum (usually it's better to have 2 of different Bass Drum Size is better eg 24 & 22 or 22 & 20) to get different sound.......and it's makes the Kit look Big - I guess this is the reason for having 2 Bass Drum.
 
mmm, technically it is more equal as both are master pedals and hitting on the centremost spot on the bass drum.

earlier era double pedal (especially cheaper ones) the master pedal beater is directly centre and hits the centremost spot, while slave pedal will hit off centre.

nowadays most double pedal, mid-range and above will have both master and slave pedal beaters positioned such that they are in between centre spot. The sound will be consistent, but bear in mind both are not hitting the centremost spot.



there are however, all sorts of gadgetry, skin tension option available to help make double pedal sound more even.

some folks even like it that the sound of the two pedal beater is just that 'slight bit different', so as to provide subtle contrast in tone.


happy experimenting!!!
 
i have one drawback and that is my left leg is a little longer than my right leg (not obvious when i stand though). wonder if that will make any diff. i cant really remember how it felt when i was playing two bass drums (but the sound being more solid is not a lie, since both are master pedals, like plainsman said.), but i was sure it was that little bit easier
 
with practice and developing technique that comes from natural body movement, you should be able to overcome any body deficiencies.

only in the most extreme cases - such as one hand missing 3 fingers for example (!) will it make a real difference.

try to spend time sitting down, figure out how each foot kicks the pedal. even without the bass drums (or even bass pedal), you can sit at home anywhere, on sofa, bed. observe how each foot makes a pedal motion. wriggle your toes every now and then (it should not be stiff! kill bill :lol:)



get comfortable, practice slowly, take your time, be patient and keep going at it.

be it double pedals or two bass drum, you should be able to sound terrific eventually!!!
 
well... 2 bass drums, which ever way you look at it, its all good. especially if the music you're playing digs it.
i myself am an aspiring metal artiste, i would die for a double bass drum set up.
i've always been trying to set my drums up to a 2 bass drum set up, but i always feel its empty cos i don't have another bass drum.
Reasons for buying a second bass drum?
maybe for cosmetics sake??? heh. but if you're into alternate stuff... imagine having an alternate bass drum. :D cool huh? imagine a single pedal on your standard master bass drum, then a double pedal that connects you to the alternate bass drum. maybe 16" or 24" cool sounds man... cool sounds.
 
woo!

im getting another set to merge with my current and pretty soon the end result would be involving me have two bass drums.. hopefully.
 
To find a solution to replace double bass drum as it is bulky to setup and maneuver around, plus it is expensive to own 2 bass drums, people invented double pedal.

Double pedal on a single bass drum, cut cost, cut time to setup and cut frustration to move that big bulky 2nd bass drum around.

But 1 problem is when we are playing the slave pedal on a double pedal, we are required to explore more 'technique' to play it. Why? Because of the slave pedal is connected to the beater on the master pedal itself via a ROD! This means more mechanism = friction resistance + time delay. Even though it is just few milliseconds slower response and you need slightly more effort. Plus the beater doesn't hit center of the bass drum, which means sounding different from master pedal... SO YES! it is easier to control 2 bass pedal than a double pedal and sounds better!!!

Despite of all these disadvantages, why not think it this way? Since usually the leg that is stepping the slave pedal is weaker, treat it as a training? If you are to achieve a perfect stroke on your slave pedal, it means no problem on 2 bass drums! But if you train on 2 bass drums, once you are in a situation of a double pedal setup, you'll be b**ching about the lag the slave pedal has given you, more effort to drive that slave pedal etc..

Agree?!

Cheers
 
hmm....well....i'm currently using a 2 bassdrum setup and all i can say is.....
the pedals have ALOT MORE FREEDOM in movement and feel.......wwat i mean by this is that...
there is nomore lagging on your left pedal(like some double pedals have),you get equal amount of pedal responce as well as impact...basicly whatever your right pedal and do your left one can too!!
hope tht ans your question t.s...
 
jesperz
i really like the way you brought forward your feel on training the slave pedal leg.
this is why practicing or "training" with cheap double pedals like maybe lazer or carlos is good.
It really gets you to dive straight in and give it your all to take on a few measures of 16ths.
i felt that after i practiced with my older carlos and shifted to a better dw7002 i felt the difference and you can really express yourself with smoother pedals.
 
i believe 2 bass drums wud definitely sound nicer.. cause the sounds wud be more clean.. and definitely even better for those that hav the bad habit of resting their left legs on the slave pedal of a double pedal.. cuz if u rest your legs on slave pedal = beater rests on drumskin = sound muffled..

as said by jesperz "Since usually the leg that is stepping the slave pedal is weaker, treat it as a training?" i do agree wit tis tho...

perhaps jus use double pedals for your day-to-day training and few intensive 2bass drum sessions some time b4 performance?? it wud be ideal to get 2 bass for performance.. =]
 
Hmm. Same thing. Got to tune them no matter it's double pedals or two singles. Troublesome!

Two single pedals and double pedals are very different.

No matter what kind of double pedal you're using - strap drive, direct drive, or chain drive, the slave pedal will feel slightly off due to the friction, and the fact that a lot of energy is lost thru the transmission from pedal -> shaft -> beater. that's why even if both your legs are well trained, your left pedal will still feel different, but of course thru training and time you'll be used to it, and it won't pose much of a problem.

For dual bass drums, you're playing on two single pedals, which means two pedals with identical feels, assuming spring tension and beater distance are all equal. Some people like it this way, because the feel is the same for both pedals.

Drawbacks for dual bass drums are mainly space contraints - its a bitch to have 2x bass drums sitting around, and tuning will be a bitch too.

But the good thing about having 2 bass drums is that you can have two bass drums of different sizes, ie. 18" and 22", thus effectively having two different sounds when you kick. some people love it, some people hate it, its all personal preference.

Pros for double pedal are mainly cost and convenience - a pair of double pedals are definitely cheaper than dual bass drums, and you can pack them into a carrying case for a gig (how many gigs give you TWO bass drums?!)
 
i personally dislike using 2 bass drums. my legs are abit further apart than with a double pedal so when i start going fast or straining myself a little, i ll get a cramp in that joint between thigh n waist area. haha i cant do splits thats for sure
 
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