How to Adjust Kick Pedals For Beginner / Young Drummer (DW9000 Double Kick)
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- Опубліковано 12 тра 2024
- Are you fed up with your kick pedal not responding the way you want it to? Are they hard to press, or are you getting tired out? Don't worry, we've got the solution! In this video, we'll show you how to adjust the kick pedal on your DW 9000 so that it responds the way you want it to, even if you're a beginner.
We were in the market for double kick drum pedals and after much research, we centered in on the DW9000’s. Normally these pedals cost over $900.00, but a friend pointed us to a website called reverb.com where we could purchase used equipment. I placed an offer for a price I was willing to pay and a couple weeks later we were unboxing these beauties at $400 less than the price of new DW9000’s (I share a link below so you might also save some money if considering these pedals). To our surprise, after installation, Lucas had a lot of trouble playing them. They were heavy pedals, and really hard to press. The good news, however, these pedals had lots of options to adjust them. However, there wasn't much information for younger drummers. Given the research I had to do to figure this all out, I decided to post the answers here. DW9000’s have many configuration points to consider, but when tuned right, they work like a dream - even for young drummers and beginners building up strength.
ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
This video covers all the steps needed to adjust the DW9000 pedals. At the end of the video I cover special considerations to make these pedals easier to play, especially for young drummers. There are occasions for strong spring tension (e.g. when playing fast base drum beats like Heavy Metal), but long performances, or for young players, the strength required to maintain playing under those conditions will tire a drummer out. This video will give you all you need to know to easily adjust your pedals to meet your needs. Below are time stamps on key points in the video if you would like to jump ahead or use this as a reference.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
01:29 - Adjustments
01:34 - Spring Tension Adjustment
02:43 - Pedal / Beater Adjustment
03:25 - Chain / Foot Pedal Adjustment
04:24 - Shaft Adjustment
04:56 - Install on Drum Set
05:41 - Making DW9000 Easier to Use
RESOURCES:
• Reverb.com - check this site out for deal on musical equipment. It’s saved us a lot of money so far.
• DW 9000 Pedals - DW Website: www2.dwdrums.com/hardware/9000/
• DW 9000 Series Owner’s Manual: www.manualslib.com/manual/662...
• Stephen Taylor, BASS DRUM PEDAL SPRING TENSION, UA-cam Video (Great Reference): • BASS DRUM PEDAL SPRING...
• Chuck Levins Blog on Adjusting DW 9000's: chucklevins.com/blogs/chucks-...
REFERENCE:
• Background Music: Stardive, Jeremy Blake (Royalty Free)
Thank you so much for this. I was losing my mind adjusting the beater angle because i couldn't expose the screw past the metal shaft. Only when i watched the video did i realize theres literally a hole in the shaft to be able to access tjat screw.
I feel like an idiot.
Thanks again.
I love how you analyze these pedals and their adjustments with the mind of a mechanic/physicist.
Thanks! We'll be posting more how to videos when we get time. We are thinking about mics and audio interface next, but love any thoughts your interested in.
This is an excellent video on the initial adjustments for this pedal. I purchased the same series six years ago, and at first, I felt like it ruined what I thought was a good technique, regardless of the number of adjustments I made. This led to frustration and even more confusion about my own abilities. However, through consistent use and slow practice of exercises, I learned to control these pedals, which are considered quite smooth.
I believe that pedals can contribute a lot as long as one works on the proper technique to get the most out of them. I highly recommend Larnell Lewis's video on exercises for single pedals.
As a parent, I can only express my gratitude for supporting your child's passion and providing them with the appropriate tools to continue nurturing his talent.
Thanks for the feedback! We've spoken with many professional drummers that swear by these pedals. There are a number of great pedals out there, but your right, once tuned for your style, they are very smooth, and stay that way. They are built to last, but do have a lot you can get wrong if you don't break things down one by one on the adjustments, test, and re-adjust to get it right. You may also want to write down key adjustments. I've heard some people kick up the resistance to do faster kick drum beats (like metal), but you'd need to dial them back for longer sets (as they can kill your legs).
Thank you for the time you put into the video. It's been super helpful.
played 5000's for years and finally upgraded to 9000's. thanks for the info
Happy to help!
Great video, thank you!
I have played several different pedals over the last 40+ years, and the 9000's have been my go to pedal. While there are long boards, and short boards, different makes and models from various companies centering on speed, flow and functionality, I keep coming back to my 9000's. With near infinite settings, given 28 hours in a day and 8 days a week until the end of time to test that theory, the 9000's have worked for me from jazz to metal. Definitely equipment that will last and perform in any situation. Great video to help those just coming on board to the DW realm.
We are seeing the same, and they are really well built. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you so much I bought a set of these petals and at the beginning I wasn’t really digging the hype but after doing a bit of adjustments that you recommended I feel so very well knowing I made a great decision. Thank you so much for sharing this and taking the time of your day to educate so many drummers.
@michaelmartinez6437 I'm very glad you found this video helpful. I was in the same boat. I thought I bought a very expensive paperweight for the next few years, but knowing a bit about physics, I knew in my gut there adjustments had to get closer than the original settings. I was just thrilled it was better than I could have dreamed. Every drummer I spoke with swore by these pedals. Now we swear by them too (in a good way)!
Dang! 9000s as your first double pedal? What an awesome dad! Although I did start with 3000s so I can’t really complain. The 9000s are my end all be all pedals. I’ve had them for about 3 years and I’m never going to anything else. I’m actually looking to reset mine to factory settings. This was quite helpful and food for thought though
Thanks for the feedback. We love these pedals as well. We've seen some very good drummers using these and every one has sworn by them.
@@lucasandthebeat3655 hey some more feedback for you. I actually did loosen the springs and enjoyed playing on them quite a bit more than usual
Dad... I'm a father of an amazing drummer as well. He is fortunate to have me tech his drum kit as well as finance it. LOL! Get ole Lucas the Trick retrofit driveshaft for his 9000s. The left pedal will come alive. The u-joint bearings on the Trick are SO much better than the stock DW driveshaft. The part number is P1V6DW
Thanks for sharing! We will check that out. Please feel free to share anything your young drummer might be up to. We're trying to build a community. We'd love to hear more from you. The network is an important aspect.
Hi Hugh! I just read your comment.. where you can find this driveshaft ? And it is worth enough the price ?
Great video! Thanks 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽
Glad you liked it.
Very helpful. Thanks
You're welcome.
Very informative video, Sir.
Thanks. We'll be posting more like this if you are interested. Next we are thinking of addressing audio interface and mics for the drums. These are needed both for clean recordings in the studio as well as on stage for sound mixing. Any other topics you're interested in us covering?
@@lucasandthebeat3655 That would be great, definitely the video synch with the music.
Video was very well done and easy to follow!
absolutely right about no videos on adjusting these. I bought some and they have been in the box because i can not get used to them compared to my Iron Cobras it is a completely different feel.
Yes, they are different. Iron Cobras are great too, but once we figured out how to adjust the dw's these pedals became great. You can pretty much get them set up for most types of playing - fast metal (which can tire you out) down to slower music you can play for hours.
These are an older version of the DW9000 kick pedals. The newer version do not all have the extra spring. This setup let's you remove the connecting axel and switch to two separate kick pedals in a dual Kick Drum setup.
thank you!!
You're welcome!
Just bought the DW 9002, thanks so much for the great vid! (The DW manual isn’t very helpful)
Pearl demon XR
I picked up this pedal on craigslist like new for $300. I really like the action but one thing i hate is they put the springs on the inside of the pedal. I play in my sox and don't like hitting them with my feet. good video, thanks.
@johnnyofast5924 - DW does make an extended length pedal for big feet. Long term, you might look at those if your feet are hitting the sprint. With socks, if you feet are riding up on the pedal, you might also look at something that provides more friction (e.g. rubber cover). You'd need to understand why your feet are hitting the spring. We chose the standard size of the pedals given foot size will not be an issue for years to come. We were recommended DW 9000 XF (extended foot) but they were too big for a child. If you have a large foot size, you might look at those long term.
I don't know the physics enough to say whether it has a significant impact, but my 9000 double pedal doesn't have a spring on the left pedal, only the two on the right one. I've never seen it set up that way on the new ones either. My first thought was maybe they've updated it over the years (mine is from the mid 2000s) but I don't believe that's the case. I think the spring on the left pedal is only necessary if you're using it as a standalone pedal on a second kick drum. Seems like it would add significantly more tension to your left pedal with two springs on it.
These are and older version of the dw 9000 pedals. The dual springs ensure consistent force across the shaft and ensure you don't loose power due to the shaft length (which is adjustable). The newer models may have engineered for this to remove the second spring, which as long as you adjust one with enough tension, you'd be fine. Teh other benefit of the older version is that if we get a dual base drum setup, we can remove the shaft and use each kick independently. This is pretty cool. If you have These pedals can last a lifetime as long as the spring tension does not wear out and the chain remains in good condition. All consumable parts are replaceable (springs, beaters, etc.).
@@lucasandthebeat3655 I have a first gen DW 9000 double pedal that I bought new in 2003 and it never had the spring on the slave pedal. 🤷♂️ Check out page 11 of this Modern Drummer from March 2003 www.moderndrummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/md280cs.pdf
Repel against mash pea!
YAY!!
The biggest problem I have with DW pedals is that DW lock you into how they want you to set up the pedal. Beater angle and pedalboard hight are not independent. Which is a massive shame because they have some brilliant features like the tri-pivot clamp, delta hinge and the spring rocker. I own a 5000 and a 9000 pedal so I have so have more than enough experience with them. I just feel they are overpriced and lack of adjustability is a tough sell. I do like my DW pedals a lot and my Tama Iron Cobra. The Iron Cobra has much adjustability and completely independent beater angle and pedalboard hight. So I can set the pedal up in any way I want, I can't say the same for my DW pedals. I wish DW would make the 9002 pedal like this with the ability to make them two single pedals. It so cool to turn the slave pedal into a single one. Not hating on DW or anyone who plays their gear, again I do own three DW pedals and a 9000 hi hat stand. They are solid and great quality. Just wish they were easier to adjust and set up exactly the way you want rather than struggle with DW limitations. Great video very well explained and thorough rundown of the 9002 pedal, great job man.
(Lucas' dad) Iron Cobras were on the list... almost bought them. Sitting here with my son, I'd have to say I've noticed your point in the new versions of the pedals. I also was choking a bit at the price, especially buying them for a young person. I found the older ones DO have separate pedals that we can turn into independent ones for two kick drum setups. The newer ones, I was shocked to see DW take the path of removing that capability. You'd need to buy two separate independent pedals and shaft them together I'd guess to get the same setup we have. Getting past the price - I found Reverb a great option. While we'll need to replace the beaters and springs at some point, the mechanics of these pedals holds up (all metal, all solid chain, no rubbing). We saved $400 buying them off Reverb and even if we replace the consumables, we'd still be way ahead price wise. They hold up a long time. As for foot adjustment, we can do a lot with the older versions we have. We'll have to check out the Iron Cobras closer on that point. THANKS for the feedback! Awesome insight.
except for the drive shaft.
Is your son a doctor?
Poorly stated.... please don't quit your daytime job
More description required on "poorly stated". If there is something you don't agree with or like, feel free to clarify. If there is an inaccuracy - again, feel free to share. The intent here is to help others avoid the same issues we ran into getting started. In the spirit of charity (which this channel is), we take no offense to constructive criticism. Thanks for the feedback (and no day job has been abandoned in the creation of this video).