🥁 Chain vs. Direct Drive Bass Drum Pedals - a fair comparison using the Yamaha FP9
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a chain (cam) and a direct drive pedal - this video is for you 😉!
And there could not be a more fair comparison than using the same pedal with both of the two different drive systems: the gorgeous Yamaha FP9 ❤️.
Hope you enjoy this video 😎. Leave your thoughts in the comment section 💪.
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If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a chain (cam) and a direct drive pedal - this video is for you 😉!
And there could not be a more fair comparison than using the same pedal with both of the two different drive systems: the gorgeous Yamaha FP9 ❤.
Simon, thank you for your review! You really covered a lot about pedals here. I really wanted to share my thoughts with you, because you care about this stuff.
I am a hardcore metal drummer, with a focus on playing powerful and fast double bass. I use a standard 45 degree angle on the beaters, a longer beater height and I prefer chain drive (DW Turbo Cam 1:1 ratio), no triggers. I set my pedals up absolutely square with the bass drum, and with a straight drive shaft from pedal to pedal to keep things as even as possible.
What I am about to say ONLY applies to the Yamaha double pedal setup. As a single pedal the Yamaha was superb and exceptionally smooth, and just a pleasure to play on.
So I had 2 brand new sets of the Yamaha FP9 Chain drive double pedals. This happened because I had an issue with a bearing on my first set of pedals, so Yamaha sent me another new set, and I can tell you these issues were on both sets of brand new pedals.
So the major problem was the pedals are uneven. If the beater angle is made to be identical on the main pedal, the left foot board is always at a different height at the bottom of the stroke after you press the pedal down. When the left foot board angle is then adjusted up to compensate for this, then the pedal board is too high at the beginning of the stroke. To make the left foot board match the right board when it bottomed out, the beater had to be brought in closer to the head. And now the beater angles aren't identical. Welcome to the endless circle.
Also the heel plate makes noise. Go ahead and give a good tap on that heel plate and you'll hear it clank. I don't understand why it makes any noise at all, it should be solid.
I have some other minor gripes with the pedals (like the 2 pillar slave pedal, no beater height markings). But the reality is it was impossible to play evenly spaced double bass on these pedals. I understand this isn't what you are trying to do with your music. When I played some single foot playing with some flams and double bass here and there, the Yamaha pedals were fine.
The Pearl Demon Drive pedals also fixed the issues of the Yamaha double setup. Beaters were dead even with pedal height left and right side, and no strange sounds.
My favorite pedals I own are The DW MCD XF (Extended Foot board). I know you said you have tried the DW pedals but I'm going to guess the 5000 series or 9000 series? Try the MCD XF if you can.
@@Scolecite Hello, thank you and thanks for sharing 🙏.
I am sorry to hear about your struggles with the FP9s. However, I must say that I cannot relate at all. I don't face any of the problems you described with neither of the 2 pedals. Maybe those were earlier issues that could be fixed or the problem lies somewhere else. I don't know and therefore can't be of any help here, sorry. But yeah, as you said, I play different stuff on those pedals than you do. Maybe for what you do (and how you do it) another pedal works better.
And yes with DW I am exactly talking about 4000, 5000, 7000 and 9000 pedals - which in my opinion all suck (yes, also the high end versions of the 5000 and 9000) 😉...
@@SimonSpringerMusic But you have you ever tried the DW MCD or MDD? (Not the 5000 or 9000)
th-cam.com/video/V7d1rD9I3oo/w-d-xo.html
thank you, really helpful
Having played all the flashy pedals over the years, bought this Yamaha pedal about a year ago and it's the only one I've played since. It's a great feeling pedal. I clicked on this just to hear ur thoughts on chain vs direct and had no idea it would be featuring the FP9. Its my fav pedal
Cool! I love them too 🥳
Well I’m glad I found your channel. I’m super new to drumming and have double bass pedal in my next purchase.
Thanks for the good info !
Thank you 🙏!! I am glad to be of any help 💪...
Those beaters have seen some love haha!
For sure haha 😅...
Great video Simon and excellent playing as always. The studio kit sound you're getting is so nice, toms are beautifully tuned. I'm used to playing a Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide pedal, but am thinking of buying a Yamaha FP9C. I'm wondering if you can tell me in your opinion if one of the three adjustable cam positions of the FP9 chain/strap pedal can emulate the same feel/action of the Power Glide?
Thank you so much 🙏. Glad you enjoy it 🥳. I've played a ton of Iron Cobras over the years but I struggle to remember which one is the "Power Glide". I'm guessing it's some kind of eccentric drive system?
Hi Simon. Actually I guess you already answered my question in your video. Iron Cobra has two types of pedal, a Power Glide and Rolling Glide. I never played a Rolling Glide. But my understanding is that the Tama Power Glide has an offset cam increasing the power and speed as the beater reaches the end of the stroke. I just rewatched some of your video where you very nicely explained about the Yamaha chain/strap pedal cam positions C2 and C3 being offset and unbalanced, giving an accelerator effect. So that must be the same as the acceleration I get from the Power Glide pedal. It's a pity the Yamaha pedal is quite a bit more expensive than a new Iron Cobra, but I think I'll buy the FP9C as I love the easy spring adjustment feature, the different cam options, and just the lovely shiny silver and blue accents. :)
@@Calisto34 Hi again. Yeah, that's what I thought. The cool thing with the FP9s is that you get those 3 cam settings... Have fun and enjoy 😎!!
Hello Simon , great pleasure to see you again
Thanks 💪!!
Hi Simon, tolles Video, das den Unterschied mal klasse erklärt.
Vielen Dank 🙏🥳!!
I also have both FP9 versions. I think the direct drive link is metal and not plastic as you said.
Haven’t made up my mind which I prefer.
I started in the 60’s when chain drive didn’t exist and all were strap or direct drive and straps were often stiffer than today.
I like both of them and have just changed my HS1200D hi-hat, which I played for many years, for the new HHS9D which is superb!
Anyway, thank you for your great videos which I really enjoy!
🤘😁🥁👍
Thank you 🙏🥳. Yeah, maybe that piece is metal, I'm not sure. Thanks for sharing! I am very looking forward to my HHS9D Stand 🥰!!
playing fast is based on speed sync between pedal and foot ( the more your foot is in sync with the pedal, the faster you can play, if u have a shit technique ( foot leaving the pedal, working against it ), it wont be easier to play with direct drive. Also it's even harder to play mid tempos 150-180bpm ( 8th notes-single foot - continuously) with direct drive. because if you dont have the technique down, brain wants to mix different muscle groups, and well,... direct drive is unforgivable ) One difference you didn't mention is with direct drive you should never bury the beater ( unless you like "fart" sounds on the bass drum head) , so your starting position for playing is a bit different than with chain/belt.
Burying the beater is absolutely no problem with direct drive. At least not with the Yamaha FP9s. You can SEE me burying the beater in this video. And there is no fart 😉...
Hi Simon,
such a great video but also great sounding ride cymbal. What is it? :)
Thank you!! That's my beloved Paiste 20" Signature Traditionals Light Ride ❤.
Howdy Simon, great stuff here, INFO I found very valuable. I currently play a Yamaha pedel but this makes me quite curious which it is LOL. And to possibly change IDK yet. Mine seems fine, but always am open to something that could take me better places with my playing and enjoyment factors!
Thank you 🙏. If you're fine with your pedal, there's no need to really change. Every new pedal will come with an adjusting period. But if you want to try something new I can really recommend the FP9s 😉🥳.
Thanks for the video. Could you make a video focusing on the driveshaft? Does it have any "play"? Does the slave pedal oscialate as much as the main pedal? Maybe a comparison with the Trick or ACD Unlimited would be very helpfull
Well, the slave pedal works very well on this one. I have never experienced any slave pedal coming so close to the main pedal as with the FP9s. If you tap them both, the oscillations are almost the same and in the same tempo, with the slave pedal doing one less or so. I don't have those other pedals you mentioned, so there won't be any comparison unless I get my hands on one of them 😉...
That test doesn’t really translate to much difference in feel. The FP9 has zero latency in the shaft, as does my Ludwig Atlas. A few might have some play but you can test that at the store before you buy it. Once your left foot is comfortable at all speeds, that test is meaningless. A lot of folks play with different spring tensions left and right anyway, rendering the test meaningless as well.
I tried the FP9C for a couple of weeks and just got not get comfortable with it. Out of the box, it felt very strange. After trying all sorts of different adjustments, it still didn't feel right. I ended up selling it and going back to my Yamaha DFP9500C pedals. A few people I know had the same experience as me. I don't think these new Yamaha pedals have been very successful. Even Weckl is using the previous model.
What adjustments did you make to get comfortable with it?
I was comfortable with it right out of the box. But I guess eventually I ended up using a wider beater throw and a higher spring tension. I know that Weckl is sticking to his "old" pedals but 1, he is much shorter in height than I am and therefore might not dig the longboards that much and 2, he is comfortable with what he uses und therefore sees no need to change gear. Which is always the best reason to NOT change anything. That doesn't mean though that the FP9s are inferior to previous models. In my opinion they are by far the best pedals Yamaha ever made. But again, it's about personal taste. If you like the old pedals better, go ahead and use those! I mean, a lot of people love DW pedals like the 5000 and swear by those - I HATE them 😅, worst pedals out there 🤷🏻♂. And now you could tell me: but Vinnie, Borlai etc. etc. play them!! I know, but still 😉! So it's always about personal preference...
No I agree with you. These pedals were over engineered to have some interesting features and look cool, but they missed the mark on the essentials. I had to return them also.
I've been playing these for about a month now and also can't seem to get comfortable with them. What was the issue you were having? As smooth as the board is, I experience so much friction between my shoes and the board when I try and slide up and down the board, whereas I have 0 problems with that on an the dfp9500s or any DW I've played.
Hast doch ziemlich gute Skills was Double-Bass angeht, ich bin vor ich glaub 10 Jahren oder so auf Direct-Drive für Heel-Toe umgestiegen. Nachdem ich mich gaaanz langsam an die perfekten Einstellungen für so Hochgeschwindigkeitsgeschichten rangetastet hatte, hab ich dann irgendwie zum einen gemerkt, dass ich Sachen die ich vorher mühelos spielen konnte, im Prinzip plötzlich völlig neu erlernen musste (wirklich wesentlich starreres Kick-Feeling) und zum anderen braucht man meiner Meinung nach allerspätestens ab 235 bpm Trigger (Wenn man dann endlich auch mal Heel-Toe oder Swivel-Motion gescheit kann), weil es darüber seeehr tricky wird die Lautstärke der Kicks aufeinander abzugleichen.. Es hat Nerven gekostet, Geld natürlich auch, aber ich muss ehrlich sagen, dass der Prozess mich nebenher irgendwie auch zu neuen Herausforderungen motiviert hat, was so experimentelleres Drumming angeht..
Vielen Dank 🙏!! Meine Skills sind in der Aufbauphase, aber ich bin dran 😉💪!! Ja, das Spielgefühl ist wirklich ein komplett anderes. Hier kommt es tatsächlich zu einer großen Umstellung. Wie gesagt, stilistisch sehe ich mich nicht gezwungen, dauerhaft auf direct drive umzusteigen. Da machts bei mir mehr Sinn, die Zeit ins Cam Drive Pedal zu investieren 😉...
@@SimonSpringerMusic Nur nicht stressen bzw. unter Druck setzen lassen, schon gar nicht von dir selbst, das hatte ich dann auch noch dazulernen müssen😂
I have two of the FP9 DD
One for gigs and one for Studio and rehearsal
Formerly i have had many different pedals, dw, tama pearl etc
That’s senseless, because i noticed , playing on stage with a different pedal than at home, i had always to readjust
For sure, I too like to stick to one pedal 👍.
What tension do you prefer your spring to be on those pedals?
It's hard to describe exactly. I would say I use about a medium high spring tension.
@@SimonSpringerMusic nothing wrong with it per se but I got the dd first and as of today I’m returning for chain drive
@@medallion39 You might like the chain drive better. At least I do...
The major design flaw is that the left beater isn't centred.
As with 99% of all double pedals...
damn u like to talk so much fluff 22 minute video shoulda been 5 minutes or less.