- Footplate<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Pedal spur<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Hoop clamp<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Footboard<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Drive<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- Cam<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Beaters explained<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- Fine-tuning your pedal<\/a><\/strong>
- Adjust the tension and angle<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to set up double pedals<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Parts of a bass drum pedal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most bass drum pedals have at least six parts, even more if you have a double pedal. Each plays an essential role in how the pedal feels and plays, so understanding how to set them up correctly will help you get the best performance possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Footplate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The footplate is the base of the bass drum pedal (fig 1<\/em><\/strong>). Some have rubber bottoms, while others may have velcro \u2014 no matter which type of material it has. However, we recommend using a drum rug to prevent the pedal from sliding around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pedal spur<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some bass drum pedals will have spurs located on the footplate. Just like the spurs on bass drum legs, this helps the pedal dig into a rug, so it doesn\u2019t slide around. Adjust the spring screws to extend them to the desired depth (fig 2<\/em><\/strong>). Test that it\u2019s secure by pushing your foot on the pedal and see if it moves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hoop clamp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The hoop clamp is the part that attaches to the bass drum hoop itself. Here\u2019s how to set it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Loosen the wing bolt (fig 3<\/em><\/strong>) that adjusts the clamp, then lift your bass drum to where the pedal will slide in.<\/li>
- With the bass drum lifted, slide the clamp onto the hoop and tighten the wing bolt enough to where the pedal won\u2019t slide around.<\/li>
- If the hoop clamp doesn\u2019t have rubber attached to the part connected to a hoop, consider using a hoop protector<\/a>. Using this can prevent the clamp from digging into the hoop, which causes splintering and cracking.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Footboard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are two main types of footboards; the shortboard and the longboard (fig 4<\/em><\/strong>). The shortboard has a heel plate with a hinge in front of it. On the other hand, longboards are flat and have the hinge behind the heel, allowing the player to utilize the entire footboard. Some pedals can be converted by adjusting a key bolt, but visit your pedal owner’s manual to see if the pedal can be converted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The drive (fig 5<\/strong><\/em>) is what makes the pedal actually move and is typically a chain, belt, or solid piece that\u2019s attached to the footplate and cam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The cam (fig 6<\/strong><\/em>) is the piece which the drive lays on that allows the beater to fly forward when you push the pedal down; almost like a catapult. Direct drive pedals do not have a cam, as the drive is connected straight to the beater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Bass](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/12\/Pedal-Diagram.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nParts of a bass drum pedal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Bass drum beaters explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The beater is the central mechanism for all bass drum pedals. How it\u2019s set up and what type of beater you\u2019re using can really change the bass drum tone, so let\u2019s talk a bit about the different kinds of beaters and the best way to set them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Types of beaters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Besides the tuning of your bass drum, beaters play a significant role in how the drum sounds. While beaters can be made out of different materials such as wood and rubber, here are three of the most common materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Plastic<\/strong>: Plastic beaters provide a lot of attack and is very commonly used for harder types of music like rock or metal.<\/li>
- Felt<\/strong>: These provide a more full, warm sound which you\u2019ll typically hear from a jazz drummer, for example.<\/li>
- Combination<\/strong>: Combination beaters have two or more beater heads. The most common combination has a plastic and felt head, but some may have even more, including a rubber or wood head.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Beater height<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Make sure the beater strikes as close to the center of the head as possible because this will give you the most accurate tone and attack. For electronic drums, positioning it in the center will give you more consistent triggering as well. Here\u2019s how to adjust the height of the beater:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Loosen the beater stopper\u2019s square key bolt or Allen screw.<\/li>
- Insert the beater into the beater holder and adjust to the desired position.<\/li>
- Tighten the beater holder, then tighten the beater stopper.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Protect the head!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re using a plastic or metal beater for your bass drum pedal, we highly recommend using bass drum patches<\/a>. Not only does this enhance attack, but it also acts as a protective layer which will extend the life of your bass drum head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>Fine-tuning your pedal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now that you have your bass drum set up, it\u2019s time to use it. If you feel that the pedal is too tight or loose or if you feel like you think the beater isn\u2019t traveling far enough after you first set it up, follow these instructions to fine tune your pedal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adjust the tension and angle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are two main ways you can fine-tune your pedal; the tension of the pedal and the angle of the beater. It\u2019s really easy to make these adjustments and there\u2019s only one main part for each adjustment, so follow these steps to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adjusting pedal tension<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
- To increase<\/strong> the tension, loosen the upper tension adjustment nut (fig 1<\/strong><\/em>) then tighten lower tension adjustment nut.<\/li>
- To decrease<\/strong> the tension, loosen the lower tension adjustment nut (fig 1<\/strong><\/em>) then tighten the upper tension adjustment nut to secure it in place.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cam (beater angle) adjustment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Adjust the angle of the beater by loosening the beater angle cam adjustment square or Allen key bolt (fig 2<\/strong><\/em>) then tighten it back up. It\u2019s best to make fine adjustments as too much adjustment either way will prevent the beater from striking the head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A note on direct drive pedals:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
- To decrease<\/strong> the tension, loosen the lower tension adjustment nut (fig 1<\/strong><\/em>) then tighten the upper tension adjustment nut to secure it in place.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- To increase<\/strong> the tension, loosen the upper tension adjustment nut (fig 1<\/strong><\/em>) then tighten lower tension adjustment nut.<\/li>
- Felt<\/strong>: These provide a more full, warm sound which you\u2019ll typically hear from a jazz drummer, for example.<\/li>
- How to set up double pedals<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Pedal spur<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
![\"Bass](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/12\/Pedal-Fine-Adjustment.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Bass](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/12\/Double-Pedal-Driveshaft.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n