I've always heard it depending on what you like. If you want power or speed, it depends. Someone who REALLY knows will answer your question, but in reality it's mostly preference. Good luck!
HELP!
My kick drum pedal is adjustable for the angle of the beater, and the tension on the return spring.
What's the right way to set it up? Should there be a lot of spring tension or just a little? Should the beater be hanging way back or be adjusted to be closer to the head?
Any advice will be appreciated!
Last edited by StuSegal; 12-16-2010 at 06:23 PM.
I've always heard it depending on what you like. If you want power or speed, it depends. Someone who REALLY knows will answer your question, but in reality it's mostly preference. Good luck!
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As everyone else has said, it's mostly a matter of what works for you. I run a DW 9000 single with extremely loose spring tension, and the beater at rest is about 7 or so inches back from the batter head. I find that anything further back from that requires waaaaaay to much foot effort, and keeps me from doing some of the little kick drum tricks I like to do. It works for me.
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a good place to start.... note where the beater is, in relation to distance from the drum head. Now place your foot on the pedal, just relaxed with no added pressure. Adjust the spring so that the beater stops about half way between the head and where it started with your foot completely off it.
I'd say start by making your beater position at rest about 10 degrees past straight up, towards you. Too much more angle toward you will smack your shins on the back stroke. Angling your beater on the other side of straight up at rest, and you won't be able to get good momentum swing striking the head. As far as spring tension goes, that is mostly personal preference, and what kind of pedal you own. But a good start would be right in the middle. Then see how it feels. Tighten or loosen to preference, or what feels good for you. It's not an exact science. It's what you like. Good luck
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depends on the weight of the beaters also
like slinglander said experiment
might take a few hour maybe even a week or two too find your sweet spot
+1 on experimentation. I have my beaters positioned to carry the load of my feet as they sit relaxed on the pedals and the distance from the batter head to beater is about 3 inches away with the weight of my feet on them. The sweet spot for me is about half way down the pedal about 2.5 inches from the heel plate. The beater is extended all the way out and as long as they can be without slipping out of the beater sleeve. My spring tension is set to MAX. I like my pedals to feel as if they're glued to the soles of my feet.
far enough back not to catch on your pant leg!! LOL ( past problem for me ) it is all about FEEL
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I found that if my beater is at 3-4 inches away from the bass head, I get the right amount of thrust and bounce from the pedal. This is set with the foot off the pedal. Try that and work from there. Good luck.
I have my beaters about 5 inches away from the head, medium spring tension, my beaters as far down in the holder as they can go without the beat shaft rubbing the head, and my PowerShifter setting on light. I find I can get the most amount of speed and power with the least amount of effort, which is important since I play A LOT of double kick stuff.
But my setting could feel COMPLETELY off to you, so experiment. I've played pedals that other people think are just perfect, and I'm thinking "How on EARTH can they play with this??".
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I agree with above replies it is about personal preferance and liking
LOW TENSION FTW means you can do good double hits
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