Axis pedal dilemma.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hey Guys

I happily played the Axis Longboards for 9 years and they were great. They have a particular feel - and that (like any new pedal) does take a little bit of time to get used to.
I wasn't looking to change but I got sent a pair of Tama Speed Cobras to try and I loved them. They had more power than the Axis so I felt like I was using less energy for the same result. There's also a crucial adjustment you can make on the Tamas that wasn't on the Axis. The chance to change the board angle independent to the beater angle.

I couldn't play any faster on them - but it wasn't such an effort. If you want to play really fast - it's all about technique and not the pedal (unfortunately)...and that's why I don't play fast.

cheers
Gavin

[DSOP]

If you want to play really fast - it's all about technique and not the pedal (unfortunately)...and that's why I don't play fast.

Your technique on the double pedal is beautiful! I love all those quick little ruffs you incorporate into your grooves. Very smooth and even, like you've got your own built in compressor set at 20:1 with a hard "knee".

[Manu]

If you want to play really fast - it's all about technique and not the pedal (unfortunately)...and that's why I don't play fast.

Your technique on the double pedal is beautiful! I love all those quick little ruffs you incorporate into your grooves. Very smooth and even, like you've got your own built in compressor set at 20:1 with a hard "knee".

LOl about the built in compressor, so true. And not only the bass drum

I get what you're saying Gavin, and probably Im struggling mainly because my technique is crap. I was all day today trying to set the Iron Cobras to be comfortable to me and ended up only with a backache and a headache, and also very tired legs. I think Im doing the effort with the wrong muscles, even if Im consciously trying to use my ankles i end up with tired tighs.

But im really starting to feel paranoid because I got studio booked at the end of the year and need to nail these few parts with 16th notes at around 200 bpms. Im just not getting there, hope I can make some progress with another pedal otherwise im screwed.

[Manu]

Btw DSOP, if I try the Yamahas I will report back about the experience.

[Jim Richman]

If you want to play really fast - it's all about technique and not the pedal (unfortunately)...and that's why I don't play fast.

Your technique on the double pedal is beautiful! I love all those quick little ruffs you incorporate into your grooves. Very smooth and even, like you've got your own built in compressor set at 20:1 with a hard "knee".

LOl about the built in compressor, so true. And not only the bass drum

I get what you're saying Gavin, and probably Im struggling mainly because my technique is crap. I was all day today trying to set the Iron Cobras to be comfortable to me and ended up only with a backache and a headache, and also very tired legs. I think Im doing the effort with the wrong muscles, even if Im consciously trying to use my ankles i end up with tired tighs.

But im really starting to feel paranoid because I got studio booked at the end of the year and need to nail these few parts with 16th notes at around 200 bpms. Im just not getting there, hope I can make some progress with another pedal otherwise im screwed.

. You need to use your thighs, that is one of the most important muscles to use. Legs are the motion and your ankles are the springs.

[Josiah]

You need to use your thighs, that is one of the most important muscles to use. Legs are the motion and your ankles are the springs.

It's actually your hip abductor. That is what rotates your leg at your hip. When you are sitting and lift your leg, that is your hip abductor doing the work. Gravity is what brings the leg back down.

Your thigh muscles are what pull your lower leg up bending at the knee - a motion that is not used in drumming. The quads are responsible for the opposite direction of movement.

[Jim Richman]

You need to use your thighs, that is one of the most important muscles to use. Legs are the motion and your ankles are the springs.

It's actually your hip abductor. That is what rotates your leg at your hip. When you are sitting and lift your leg, that is your hip abductor doing the work. Gravity is what brings the leg back down.

Your thigh muscles are what pull your lower leg up bending at the knee - a motion that is not used in drumming. The quads are responsible for the opposite direction of movement.

Sure the hips are a big part of it. But I was talking about Manu's not using his thighs.

[Josiah]

Sure the hips are a big part of it. But I was talking about Manu's not using his thighs.

As no drummer should. You do not use your thigh muscles when playing drums.

Never seen a thigh master? Google any thigh exercise machine and look at the motion - it's not a motion ever used in playing drums. Unless you are squeezing your snare drum with your legs while you play haha

[Jim Richman]

All parts of the quadriceps, acting through the patella ligament, extend the leg at the knee joint, and through the actions of the rectus femoris, they flex the hip joint. All four parts of this muscle is used during climbing, running, jumping, and rising from a chair.

[Manu]

You need to use your thighs, that is one of the most important muscles to use. Legs are the motion and your ankles are the springs.

Yes but to go really fast I reckon one must do less leg motion and use more ankle. One time I took a lesson with this friend of mine who is an Axis endorser and sat on his kit with his pedals. I recall stepping really down the footboard and just rocking my ankles back and forth a bit the pedal would just work by itself at incredible speeds.

I can't do that with the Iron Cobra , the footboard is too short. next month Im getting a new pedal for sure.