Double Kick balance on edrums vs acoustic

[nk126]

In the past four months I've both started practicing on an eKit and started practicing with a double kick pedal again (last time I had one was about 10 years ago). I've only played once with the double pedal on my acoustic set, but I've been playing several times a week on the eKit since I got the pedal about 6 weeks ago.

When I played on the acoustics, I noticed that double kick stuff was alot easier than on the eKit. I'm really not that great with the double pedal in general, but I had much more control and better feel on the acoustic kick, particularly when playing heel up. Since then I've been trying different things on the eKit (throne height, pedal tension, etc) and am still pretty convinced that heel up playing -- with the left foot in particular -- is a lot easier on the acoustic kick. I had better balance, most noticably. Also, I find that my back gets tired much more quickly playing the eKit than on the acoustic drums.

I'm thinking this is because the acoustic kick is just plain bigger and heavier and can "push back" against my weight/force more, so it's more of an anchor for me.

Wondering if any of you have any thoughts/experience about this ... and any tips as to setting up your eKit vs acoustic kit, particularly around the kick pad.

Here's a picture of my eKit -- it's all pintech pads, including their new eGig kick pad -- it's pretty small (8", I think) ... I got it because it was far less expensive than a larger Pintech or Roland mesh pad. It's pretty well anchored between the carpet spikes and butting the legs up against the base of the wall.

Any tips on setup or comfy double kick playing in general?

[rhjanes]

I rarely double on my electronics. I think it is more a bounce issue. I was going to suggest a hard head on the beater, but you got that......

[JLee]

You've probably done this already, but if you haven't I would go through and check the distance from the throne to each of the pedals when the throne is placed where you want it relative to the snare. The look of an e set is so different from an acoustic set (usually lower toms, smaller diameter drums,etc.) that you might just have one or both of the pedals too far from the throne because the perspective is different. It would be only natural that you would set yourself for your dominant foot (likely the right foot) and thus create a greater reach for the left. A little adjustment can go a long way. Recently I noticed that I began sitting too far forward, and it was causing fatigue in my upper leg. This might be something similar.

[Dracodrum]

From what I can see from the picture your right pedal is centered with the bass drum hitting the trigger right on, and your left is off to the side. Try adjusting the hammers so that none of them hit the trigger dead center. this might solve your balance problem. But again, that's just my theory. :D

[rhjanes]

pedal placement.....I'd not thought of that. I can only judge your kik pedal by the trigger, as it's not in the picture. Here is how I set my kit 'around' me. I use my electronics about 2 times a month at gigs, so I set up and tear down a bit. I place the rack with all the pads centered on my carpet. I then place my throne with the snare where I like it. Adjusting my throne and body to the rack. I then look down to where my feet just naturally fell and note the place and angle of them. I then grab my hat trigger and place it right where my foot was, same for kik pedal. I then smash my feet onto the pedals to double check it and also force the velcro into the carpet to stick them. I then attach the pintech bass pad to the kik pedal. Then, sit back down. It should be totally natural to how I had sat down with nothing but the throne. I then, if using the double pedal, attach the second kik pedal.
That way, my body is comfortable to the kit. We play 4, one hour sets and I'm not fatigued at all when done.

Ray

[WacoKid]

I think your comment about the way you would anchor yourself on the acoustic kit is correct. I had a similar problem even on my Rolands. It just takes time to develop the feel and technique. I'm going from Rolands 12in mesh to my 26in acoustic. Big difference!!! However, all the shedding I did on the Rolands has paid off. I was surprised to find out it wasnt that big of an adjustment in terms of muscle memory.
Do what Ray posted about your setup, and just put in the time. You'll get there.

[nk126]

I'll try that, Ray and Waco. Thanks for the tips.

And I've definitely noticed more bouncing on the left beater, trying to find a head tension that splits the difference between a good feel and accurate triggering.

Still, like Waco said, the shedding is already paying off. Chops-wise and sanity-wise.

Now if I can just take a week off from work to dive into MIDI'ing the kit up to my Mac ... No doubt I'll emerge with a CD worth of bizarro electronic percussion music ...

[rhjanes]

try and make each beater the same distance off of center. Then, both should trigger the same response. If you still have more bounce on one, look at the pedal adjustments.