A question for Axis double pedal users[views:47330][posts:173]________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:11am - Alexecutioner ""] i just bought a pair, and found that the slave pedal would extend much further down than the right when you push down to have the beater strike the bass drum. i tried adjusting this as much as i could using the drive shaft but i basically had to pull the pedal board all the way up to where it was making contact with the cam above it, and it still extends farther down that the right pedal. as far as i can tell there are no other settings that i can adjust on the pedal to alter this more than what i was able to, so i decided to loosen the screws on the actual cam, which fastens the direct drive link to the actual drive shaft so i could lift it higher. now the screws wont tighen enough to hold it in place and i stripped one of them trying to get it tight enough. anyone have this problem? i am seriously considering just returning them if they cant service it under warranty, but honestly i dont know that i want to keep them at all since i will probably just have the same issue with the slave pedal if they replace them for me. i know slave pedals on a double pedal kit are never the same as using two individual bass drums, but i just dont have room or transportation for 2 bass drums so that is most definitely not an option for me at this time. suggestions? fucking axis.... |
| ___________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:13am - brian_dc ""] Drummer that I used to play with had an Axis pedal for all of a week. Had the same sort of issue. I honestly think they're not worth it. DW 9000 series > anything roughly the same price, too. I think. |
| ___________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:17am - barbelo ""] I don't think I could service an axis over text. She'd require some personal attention :P But I'd agree with Brian, the DW9000 series is much more user-friendly (and durable, I'd add). I own both axis and dw double pedals and the latter is the selection both for shows and recording. |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:18am - Alexecutioner ""] ugh, i know so many people that swear by axis, but i honestly couldnt find another way to fix my issue except for removing the "do not remove" sticker so i could adjust the screws myself, seeing as how they set that level at the factory and assume you'll never need to change it. i removed the sticker anyway figuring it was the only possibility left, and now i see why they say do no remove. cuz you cant fucking tighten them back physically with your hand without the screws loosing its grip and the whole pedal falls down completely. i stripped the screw just trying to get it tight enough. |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:19am - Alexecutioner ""] DW9000 is still a chain drive tho isnt it? not a big fan of the rebound on chain drives when i am trying to play 32nd notes |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:22am - Alexecutioner ""] considering just returning them and washing my hands of axis and go back to my trick pedals i liked the feel of the axis pedals, except for the fact that i was over extending my left foot because they dont know how to make them even levels. |
| ___________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:24am - brian_dc ""] the DW9000 is chain drive, but my understanding is that it's a whole different ballgame than what you're probably used to from a chaindrive. If you're looking for something different and can try one, I'd just recommend giving it a shot to see how it feels. Never hurts to try. |
| ____________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:26am - FuckIsMySignature ""] alex's new pedals are siiiiiiick. also i am still deaf from that goddamn snare drum. |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:27am - Alexecutioner ""] i hear that, been considering the 9000s for a while, loved my 7000s i had years back. but ive also heard that 9000s fall apart like crazy, you havent had this issue? |
| ___________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:29am - brian_dc ""] I don't even play drums. haha. but my father does and he swears by them. I watched my former drummer's Axis pedal disintegrate and then see how his playing improved once getting the 9000s. Another anecdote. He was tracking the Mast stuff and was having problems with his shitty Yamaha pedals, studio pointed out they had 9000s just sitting around. Suddenly, homeboy could play again. Everything I'm basing this on is not at all based on any 'being a drummer' experience. Full disclosure and what not. |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:30am - Alexecutioner ""] i broke the heal plate on my 7000s after only about 2-3 years of use. heavy use, but nothing more than just playing on them for 3-5 hours a day |
| ___________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:30am - brian_dc ""] also should say that I've never really played music that called for 32nd note bass drum action. So who knows, might be the wrong fit. |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:32am - Alexecutioner ""] ah ok, fair enough. i might try a pair of 9000s under the possibility of return. to be honest i was looking into the axis mainly to take advantage of the ekit trigger system. but now i realize i wont even be able to use them until ive spent months re-learning my kick technique. |
| _________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:35am - josh_hates_you ""] try the speed cobra. out of the box the beaters where back far enough to slap me in the top of my feet and the pedals went way to far down to the floor for my liking. took all of 5 minutes to raise the footboard and adjust the beaters. thing is about as equal as it gets left to right. only took a few extra minutes to dial in the left pedal so that the springs where exactly at the same tension. i think this pedal is smooth and fast like a 9000 or axis but with more power. grab one from GC. you have 30 days to fuck with it. it's under $400 |
| _________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:38am - josh_hates_you ""] try out the 9000 vs the speed cobra. i think you'll like the speed cobra more than the 9000 cause it has a longer footboard like the axis or trick. the demon drive and 9000 have a short footboard. but i guess you can change the pivot point on the demon drive. i realize neither of my posts have anythng to do with axis pedals. |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:38am - Alexecutioner ""] yea, honestly after looking at yours i was considering the speed cobra as a possibility. i've just had too many issues with my trick pedals. the constant need to re-adjust the left pedal after almost every show now, fucking annoying. |
| _______________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:41am - Yeti ""] build your own pedals or you are a false. |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:46am - Alexecutioner ""] DO IT YOU WONT |
| ____________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:49am - FuckIsMySignature ""] NO U |
| ____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 10:55am - arktouros ""] Alex, before Jimboar chimes in the ekits are cool, but you WILL have to adapt your foot technique to the Axis pedals, and you do lose impact strength with these pedals. Of course it depends on the beaters you use. I would go with Josh's suggestion and spring for the Speed Cobras. |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 11:22am - Alexecutioner ""] yea, i did notice that the pedals feel much ligther and weaker than my trick pedals, really not sure if im going to be keeping these |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 11:40am - Alexecutioner ""] arktouros said:Alex, before Jimboar chimes in the ekits are cool, but you WILL have to adapt your foot technique to the Axis pedals, and you do lose impact strength with these pedals. Of course it depends on the beaters you use. I would go with Josh's suggestion and spring for the Speed Cobras. are you using axis now? with ekits? |
| __________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 11:53am - brodown ""] I've swtiched from Axis longboards back to OLD iron cobras. I always loved the cobras feel and power, but I was suckered in by the speed and ease of the Axis pedals...turns out the axis pedals are fragile, finicky, and just not worth the hassle IMHO. Truth is, the cobras give me a much more powerful stroke, and since I'm pretty vehemently anti-trigger, the increase in volume and increase in reliability made the switch back a no-brainer. My technique needs to improve a bit, but that's my problem to deal with. |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 11:57am - Alexecutioner ""] Tim, do you bury your beater into the bass drum? thats the main reason i was considering against ekits. the main reason i have been thinking about using triggers as of late is the fact that there are some parts with Despoilment where i have to use 32nd notes, and you pretty much cant hear it live, so i figure what the hell is the point in bothering if you cant hear it anyway |
| ____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:02pm - arktouros ""] i don't like axis pedals or triggers, so no =] |
| ________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:05pm - Alexecutioner ""] Pretty sure I'm just gonna try to exchange my axis pedals for the speed cobras, and keep my trick pedals as a back up. I felt like I was trying too hard to slam the bass drum with the axis pedals |
| ____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:08pm - arktouros ""] I'm totally with brodown. I'm "anti-trigger" and the AXIS pedals are specifically made for triggering and speed, nothing else. Alex, you're right that 32nd notes really aren't audible without triggers live, I think it would be if BOTH sides of the kick were mic'd, which usually doesn't happen. 32nd notes are really the only reason to use triggers IMHO, depending on how fast they are I would just play 16ths live just to make it sound good. I would rather strive to make my 32nd notes more audible than submit to triggers and change my technique. |
| ____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:12pm - narkybark ""] Not to interrupt this fine discussion, but ark can you send me your email? I gots a question for ye. (back to your regular scheduled discussion) |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:15pm - ArrowHeadNLI ""] SO... Since I'm playing an electronic kit and my problem is noise from the beater being WAY TOO LOUD for my neighbors, do you guys think Axis is just the right thing for me? I'm NEVER tried a direct drive, this is all new to me. Currently using Powershifter Eliminators with the white cam. |
| ___________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:17pm - brian_dc ""] damn, beater noise on an ekit are too loud for your neighbors? I'd replace the neighbors. |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:33pm - ArrowHeadNLI ""] brian_dc said:damn, beater noise on an ekit are too loud for your neighbors? I'd replace the neighbors. Well, my kit is right in the corner on a support wall, and it's an alesis DM pad (real mylar head) so while there's not drum sound, the beater and head makes a HUGE racket. (also, my metal "surge" cymbals make an obnoxiously loud noise too - I've been using tama "silent tips" to compensate). Basically it's the equivalent to me up here hammering away on something, combined with the actual stomping noise of my foot's impact. For the latter, I've been adding padding and absorption under the pedals, but the former is still bad. My neighbors are actually the best I've had under me in 10+ years. That's why I'm killing myself to be considerate. This is the first people that HAVEN'T complained about noise, smell of POT, etc.... |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:34pm - ArrowHeadNLI ""] Also, remember - I AM A NOVICE DRUMMER! Never had a lesson in my life. So I think I tend to hit the kick waaay too hard due to lack of muscle development/control in my legs. |
| ___________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:35pm - brian_dc ""] neighbor replacement comment retracted. |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:38pm - ArrowHeadNLI ""] brian_dc said:neighbor replacement comment retracted. Yeah. I can't tell you how excited I was when the cop downstairs and his family moved out, and the new people moving in had a giant "converge" sticker on their car. And then the first time I walked by their door and smelled super skunky weed, I knew they were going to be better neighbors. So I don't wanna offend them. |
| ____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:46pm - arktouros ""] arktouros said:32nd notes are really the only reason to use triggers IMHO, i take that back, they would help when you do polyrhythms at 200 BPM as well... |
| ____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:46pm - arktouros ""] damon you have been PMd |
| ____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:49pm - arktouros ""] ArrowHeadNLI said: So I think I tend to hit the kick waaay too hard due to lack of muscle development/control in my legs. haha, if there's one thing that has improved my drumming at all, it's the mantra "play ABOVE the drums, not THROUGH them" (thanks mr. peart) |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 12:53pm - ArrowHeadNLI ""] arktouros said: ArrowHeadNLI said: So I think I tend to hit the kick waaay too hard due to lack of muscle development/control in my legs. haha, if there's one thing that has improved my drumming at all, it's the mantra "play ABOVE the drums, not THROUGH them" (thanks mr. peart) I like that so much, I just wrote it down and taped it above my drums so I see it whenever I play. Thank you. |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:02pm - Alexecutioner ""] im not really looking to use triggers to increase my speed, but most clubs suck at micing a kick drum and you just cant hear it, whats the point of putting myself through all that just so no one can hear it? trick is coming out with this new laser trigger design that i was considering trying as well. |
| ___________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:07pm - arktouros ""] PEWPEWPEWPEWPEWPEWPEWPEW i'm telling ya, play 16ths, they will be easy, clean, audible, and everyone will have a better life because of it. |
| _____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:09pm - ouchdrummer ""] So, i as opposed to getting into a debate about the appropriate use of triggers, i'm going to go ahead an answer your question. You asked me this the other day, and I don't think you explained it as well then. So here goes: The AXIS pedals have SOO many ways to make adjustments that aren't obvious at all. It took me almost 3 months to really understand what to change when i desire a certain effect. I believe the adjustment you're looking for is an "alan wrench" slot on the joint that connects the top of the left spring to the housing. This is NOT a tension adjustment, and at first glance it looks not like an adjustment, but just like a way to connect the spring to the housing. If you loosen that, while holding the left beater stationary, then adjust that foward or back you will notice that it changes exactly what i think you're talking about... if that's not it, come to my room tonight and get me from my drum practice and I'll take a look at it. |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:09pm - Alexecutioner ""] It's more like 32nd note triplets for at least one of the songs I'm playing instead of straight 32nd notes. But in my opinion it would sound so incredibly slow if I did it at half speed. |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:17pm - Nocuous_Fumes ""] My drummer works at the Natick GC, and he's a fucking wealth of knowledge about drum gear and won't try to sell you the most expensive thing there. Probably wouldn't hurt to stop by and try a few different ones out. |
| ___________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:18pm - FuckIsMySignature ""] oh ya my drummer works at the Milbury GC. YA WANNA FIGHT ABOUDIT? |
| _____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:19pm - ouchdrummer ""] Dude OWNS AN AXIS ALREADY.... so let him see if he likes the fucking pedal before trying to sell him something else. |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:19pm - Nocuous_Fumes ""] Maybe. |
| ___________________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:20pm - FuckIsMySignature ""] only trashcan drums are real |
| _______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:21pm - Nocuous_Fumes ""] Maybe. |
| _____________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:22pm - ouchdrummer ""] AND this bullshit about 32nds, 16ths, etc..... THEY'RE ALL THE SAME, DAMNIT!! If we're playing a song, and the metranome says 100bpms, and you're doing 1/4 notes... then you're doing 400 notes a minute... but if you turn the metranome up to 200bpms, and you do 1/2 notes, then you're playing the EXACT SAME SPEED. it's all where you put the pulse/downbeat. |
| ______________________________________ [Mar 25,2011 1:25pm - ArrowHeadNLI ""] ouchdrummer said:AND this bullshit about 32nds, 16ths, etc..... THEY'RE ALL THE SAME, DAMNIT!! If we're playing a song, and the metranome says 100bpms, and you're doing 1/4 notes... then you're doing 400 notes a minute... but if you turn the metranome up to 200bpms, and you do 1/2 notes, then you're playing the EXACT SAME SPEED. it's all where you put the pulse/downbeat. That's true in everything BUT metal, where every band/song seems to be the same friggin tempos anyway. 200bpm, and chugs on the low E (or b, for 7 stringers). Because it can be that generic, most musicians will refer to the breakdown of triplets, 8ths, 16th, 32s, etc... as subdivisions of a set speed, and not mathematical components that can be applied to other tempos (or other drums, even.) |