KD8 - or upgrade to KD85/KD120?

[kismet110]

Hi all

Thanks to the good advice on here I've opted to go for a TD9KX over a TD3 & all being well it should be with me middle of next week

I was reading up on vibration/impact noise on this forum earlier so got to thinking; would it be better to upgrade the kick pad to a mesh one from the off? If so, how much difference is there between KD8 and KD85/KD120 impact-wise? And is it worth paying more for the 120 or is 85 good enough?

I'd be using it in a 1st floor bedroom in a semi-detached house so no neighbours below me, would be opposite side of the room from the one attached neighbour.

I might end up having to build a drum riser in the end anyway (PlatFoam) to placate the family (and the neigbour!) but for the moment the question is KD8 - stick with it or succumb to GAS already?

Thanks!

[KevH]

Stick with the KD8. Many of us use them. I went from a mesh head down to a KD8. Much better response and no unwanted double triggering.

[kismet110]

Wow, that's a quick response! Thanks, saves me some money I can no doubt spend elsewhere

[hampis]

Kismet IMO kd-8 is one of the best roland products.i also got a kd-85 and sold it after a week (glad i kept my kd-8).I will never understand why the kd-120 costs 449 euro

[MisterMR]

I use a Roland TD-9KX and tried a KD-85 and 120 with it... the idea was to upgrade to a mesh-based kick drum pad. While the mesh pads look really cool, what was bizzare was that I actually prefered the feel and response of the KD-8.

With regards to impact noise, the mesh kick pads are a little less noisy... or rather, they make a different kind of impact noise. From reports on here though, the 85's and 120's still hack the neighbours off just as much as the KD-8 does so... go figure.

[kismet110]

^^^

Thanks guys, good to know a lesser-priced option is better than it's (pricey) upgrade for once

I'm grudgingly starting to give thought to vibration/impact noise, thankfully money saved on not upgrading this can go into buying the various components that'll make up a drum riser/dampener (thinking PlatFoam, plywood & carpet here).

Now, where did I see that Rock Band Lights & Stage Fog Kit ...

[Colquhoun]

All a matter of preference. I upgraded to the KD-120 and LOVE the difference in feel. Although, I grew up playing on a 24" bass drum.
To me, it was worth it.

One in every crowd...

[MisterMR]

Absolutely. Personal preference. Forgot to mention that bit.

[Michael Render]

Absolutely. Personal preference. Forgot to mention that bit.

Heh, but that is the most important bit. They all trigger well but have a different feel. If you are happy with the feel of a KD-8, keep it and buy another 3 or 4!

[kismet110]

Heh, but that is the most important bit. They all trigger well but have a different feel. If you are happy with the feel of a KD-8, keep it and buy another 3 or 4!

Now someone might think you're joking but, er, I've seen a picture of your kit

[DjPiLL]

The mesh kicks produce less noise, but it's still noise. Don't expect much of a reduction.

[grog]

Yeah, don't buy it simply because of noise reduction, you won't see much.

You should try a mesh kick to see how it feels. I hated my rubber pads and when I upgraded, my kick style immediately got better.

Being the Hart cheerleader I am, if you do upgrade, look at the Accupad kick. Rock solid, lifetime warranty and a helluva lot less than the Roland equivalent.

https://www.myspace.com/rubberuniverse

[kismet110]

You should try a mesh kick to see how it feels. I hated my rubber pads and when I upgraded my kick style immediately got better.

Being the Hart cheerleader I am, if you do upgrade, look at the Accupad kick. Rock solid, lifetime warranty and a helluva lot less than the Roland equivalent.

Excellent, thanks for that tip, will be trying that pad out if an upgrade is needed.

[Abecedary]

Man, it's a shame that you're in the UK (actually, it's probably more a shame that I'm not). I have a mesh kick and want to try a KD8 for a while. If you were anywhere nearby I'd say let's trade for a few weeks or so.

[dmt]

I dunno -- I like my KD-85. Go figger'!

I've certainly never given a moment's thought to going back to my old KD-8 (which I actually kind of hated, though that was a few years ago and I can't exactly remember why). The price on the KD-85 is a bit ridiculous, though. Hard to justify, but still, like I said, I was never happy with the KD-8. I remember I actually liked my old Hart inverted beater kick (from my previous [Hart] kit) better, and ended up going back to that instead of the KD-8 (until I got the KD-85). Now the price of the KD-120 is insane, though those that have it say it has a more realistic feel than the KD-85. At the price it sells for, I don't even consider it (the KD-120), however. Plus, the size would be a problem for me in my small music closet, err..room, anyways.

But, like everyone else has said, if you're happy with your KD-8 feel and setup-wise, there's no reason to change. Get on with building the isolation platform --- that's where your money and energy would probably be best spent at this point.