KD-7 vs. upright bass pad

[artie]

I'm slowly piecing together a new e-drum kit for home use. Space is an issue so I'd like for my kit to be compact and easily moveable. Right now I have several PD-100 pads for toms. My next focus is on the bass pad. I currently use an old Pearl bass pad with spurs (similar to the original Simmons bass pads from the 1980s). I really like the feel. It has a spongy area where the beater hits that makes it feel pretty realistic. The problem is that the pad is relatively large, especially with it's protruding spikes. I like the idea of something really small, like the older Roland KD-7, but the inverted design has me concerned as to whether it's easy to adjust to. There are none to be found at the local music stores so I have to rely on input from all of you. So, what do you think of the KD-7 compared to upright bass pads? Is it difficult to get used to? Are there any specific limitations? Is it silly to consider using one as my primary bass trigger? As always, thanks for your help.

[Rythmstik]

I've been using KD-7s for years and I love 'em! Rock solid, feel just like an a-bass once you adjust your pedal correctly, highly portable, easy to place anywhere you like in your set-up, easily chained for double bass, very reliable but easy to fix if necessary. I think it's the best of all the available bass triggers and the only one I use (I've tried them all).

[artie]

This is what I was hoping to hear. My right foot is not overly quick compared to other drummers I see on youtube, so I'm hopeful that the somewhat non-traditional set-up of the KD-7 won't make matters worse for me. I'm kind of interested in trying a double pedal set-up for the first time and the KD-7 seems like it would work well given limited the limited space I have to work with in my practice room.

[Hercules]

Hi artie,

There's nothing like a conflicting view to spice up the decision....

I had a KD-8 and also wanted a 2nd kick that was really portable so I got a KD-7 and another pedal the same as my primary pedal.

It took a lot of fiddling with the KD pedal to get the action anywhere near my primary foot - shortening the chain / getting it on just the right cam - even after that I still can't get it close enough to the HH pedal and the rebound is pretty lacking (for my version of heel up playing).

As far as triggering goes the KD-7 is fine - maybe not quite as sensitive as the KD-8 but nothing to complain about.

I still like the KD-7 and may keep it as it goes nicely with my SPD-20 and FD-8 as a mini-kit.

If I had to buy if again would I? No, I'd spend the extra and get a KD-85 or a double kick pedal.

[Rythmstik]

It took a lot of fiddling with the KD pedal to get the action anywhere near my primary foot - shortening the chain / getting it on just the right cam - even after that I still can't get it close enough to the HH pedal and the rebound is pretty lacking (for my version of heel up playing).

That sounds like a limitation in your pedal, but not the KD-7. As I said above, once you have your pedal properly adjusted it feels just like an a-bass. I can't imagine any kick trigger that could be placed closer to a HH than the KD-7, so again it sounds like you were limited by your pedal. Rebound is pretty personal, I guess, but to me it feels the same, and I have no problems at all going back and forth from my a-kits to my e-kits, using the same pedals, and even using other folks kits with different pedals. It's just a non-issue for me, as long as the pedals are adjusted properly.

[Hercules]

Hi Rythmstik,

The limitation is really caused by the tripod legs of the h/h stand either:
- fouling against the beater swing of the kd pedal
- or pinching my foot between the pedal and the h/h tripod leg
Just can't get that exact placement.

I do agree with you that any other trigger/pedal would probably be even harder to locate in the right place. I looked at legless h/h stands initially but they were a bit hard to clamp to the rack and retain enough stability so it's just a compromise.

I have the 2nd kick on the outside of the h/h (unlike most it appears), but it would be the same situation if it was on the inside.

[Drumzilla]

Kd-7 & Kd-8

I have 2 KD-7's and a KD-8 with a double pedal. Love all of them. Started out with the KD-7 as my primary bass drum. Worked great. Speed wasn't an issue. Thomas Lang plays with KD-7's and has some of the fastest, most intricate feet I've ever seen.

One thing I did notice is that when using DW pedals, the 'offset' sprocket works better for me on the KD-7's and the 'turbo' sprocket worked better on the KD-8. I can play one on each foot and not notice a real difference.