Drum Related

I saw these new pedals last year when in my local drum shop and didn’t really pay them much attention, but I was talking to one of the guys I teach today and he said he’d played one and it was GREAT for speed and that I had to try one out! So I got all the bumf from their website about how they’re unique and fantastic and what not for you guys to read, and then I’ll give you my verdict when I’ve tried one!
Our Pro 1 – V is manufactured from aerospace materials, (titanium, aluminum, stainless and hardened steel) and machined on the latest state of the art CNC equipment.
When we began designing the Pro 1–V, we wanted to build a pedal unlike anything ever made, with never before seen features that are truly useful to today’s drummers.  The Trick Pro 1 – V takes the worry out of whether or not you’ll make it through the show. It is so infinitely adjustable, that we’re sure it will satisfy every drummer’s individual needs, regardless of their playing level or style!
Highlighted features of the Pro 1-V Detonator Bass Drum Pedals include:
 
Beaters - Universally adjustable, our patented Pro 1-V Bass Drum Beaters can be easily moved to any height/angle along the titanium shafts within seconds
by using a standard size drum key. Hard/Soft surface
change out options are also included with beaters.
(beaters are also sold separately)

Footboard – The Pro 1–V footboard is machined from solid billet aluminum. The Pro 1 – V footboard is fracture tested to 12,000 pounds per square inch. The footboard is attached to the heel plate using a pressed-fit, hardened, solid steel pin. Attaching the two components this way has proven much more reliable than a hinge and uses fewer moving parts that could breakdown over time.
 
Compression Spring Technology – The Pro 1 – V utilizes an internally housed compression spring. Compression springs are vastly superior to expansion springs used in many of today’s pedals, because compression springs have the ability to “cycle” faster and utilize energy more efficiently.
With the Pro 1 – V’s compression spring and profiled cam follower, another industry first, you will feel less spring tension build-up as the beater approaches the drum head.
This is one of the reasons why the Pro 1 – V feels smoother, faster and more responsive then any other pedal ever made. The Pro 1 – V’s spring tension is adjustable while you’re playing (if need be), simply turn the spring tension dial conveniently located on the main housing.
This feature is patent pending.
 
Base Plate – The Pro 1 – V base plate is machined from solid billet aluminum, this provides the Pro 1 – V with an ultra sturdy platform on which everything else is built. Say goodbye to thin stamped-metal base plates, and Detonate Your Sound from a position of Strength*
*tensile strength certified to withstand over 12,000 PSI Slide-Trac - Rapid Release Hoop Clamp – This multi-purpose feature streamlines your set-up time. To connect the Pro 1 – V to your bass drum, simply hold down on the spring loaded lever, slide the pedal onto your hoop and release! No more fumbling to screw and unscrew wing nuts. When it’s time to pack up, simply squeeze down on the lever to disengage the clamp, remove your Pro 1- V pedal, and hit the road! The Pro 1-V Slide-Trac has three memory set-screws so you can pre set your hoop size and distance from the head for fast set up and tear down, time after time.
It also allows the Pro 1 – V to fit snugly and perfectly on any brand of bass drum hoop regardless of the width or thickness. This feature is patent pending.
Independent Split-Cam System – Trick’s fully independent split cam system let’s the player infinitely and independently adjust the beater from the drive cam angle with a 360˚ range of smooth yet solid settings. This system also allows for immediate conversion of the Pro 1 – V into a cocktail kit pedal or a triggering pedal. Because of the split-cam systems design, the player can now change the attitude and attack of the pedal in seconds. This feature is patent pending
Stroke adjustment cluster This three position cluster is an integral part of the sophisticated geometry at work on the Pro 1 – V. It gives the player separate adjustments to the footboard angle, as well as, the pedal’s action, throw and overall feel. This feature is patent pending.

http://www.trickdrums.com/toppages/pro1vbassdrumpedal.htm

As previously mentioned, I got given this practice pad at Drummer Live to firstly review and secondly to aid my practice for the UK’s Fastest Drummer competition.
I’ve now used this pad and can say I don’t know why I didn’t get one sooner! I live in an apartment block and therefore can’t really have a drum kit at home. I always say to all my students that just a simple thing like practicing your hands for 10mins every day will improve your playing.

This pad has two sides to it, one side that’s REALLY bouncy, and the other is pretty solid and dead. The latter is the one I’m most interested in using as it’s more like the competition pads for the UK’s fastest drummer competition. I was surprised at just how solid they were when I did a run on Saturday. It was like playing a wooden table! So using this pad I’ll be able to practice generating more of my own bounce and hopefully do better next time!
I’d recommend these pads to anyone as they’re a great practice aid. They’re solid and durable as well as being a good sturdy coffee table!!
RRP: £35
www.hqpercussion.com/real_feel.htm

Even though this piece of kit has been on the market for quite some time now, I always get asked about metronomes or “clicks” as some drummers (including myself) like to call them.

The Tama RW105 (Rhythm Watch 105) is basically a fantastic machine and I think every drummer should have one!
It has everything you could need from a metronome… It’s so easy to use and a pretty tough piece of kit (I’ve dropped them a few times!) I have one in every one of my four studios and have never had a problem with any of them. You can get an adaptor to plug it into the mains, but if you were at a gig without a socket you can use batteries. It has a headphone socket so you can either use headphones or get a small jack lead and plug it straight into your stereo. It also has a speaker so you can plug it in and press play, and the volume is loud enough to hear over the sound of a pad though you would need headphones or further amplification if you wanted to hear it while playing an acoustic kit. The L.E.Ds can be really handy if hearing it is an issue. It has a thread in the back so you can attach it to a cymbal stand easily to allow for versatile positioning. It has options to turn on or off, and adjust the volume of different types of notes to make it easier to play to. You can also program in different tempos and time signatures into its 30 memory settings so that if gigging you can switch from one to the other in the blink of an eye. It also has a “tap” mode so that when you hear something you can tap it in to find out the tempo. This comes in VERY handy for teaching.
I’d say it has only two slightly bad points:

1) It only goes up as high as 250bpm (Beats Per Minute). Having said that, 250bpm is high enough for most people, and with a quick bit of maths you can actually make it go faster by halving the time signature and turning on the 8th notes.
2) The price! For most people £110 is pretty expensive, and maybe if it was a bit cheaper more people would get one. But having said that I do think it’s worth the money. You can get cheaper metronomes, but I do believe you get what you pay for.

I know it might sound like it, but I don’t actually work for Tama selling these things! However if they want me to endorse their product I’d be happy to ‘cos I really and truly rate it!

Apparently they’re cheaper in America, so if you have a friend going over there, see if they can bring you back a few! And if you already live there, happy days!