Author Topic: Pearl Demon Drive Review-  (Read 3139 times)

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Offline ecentrix

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Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« on: July 08, 2009, 11:37:55 PM »
Today I went to the drum shop to try out the eagerly awaited Direct Drive Pearl pedal.
I was notified by Walt from the drum shop upon their arrival, and headed in to have a look on my day off (today).

I racked up a seat to the practice pad with said pedals attached and started kicking away

These pedals, in all honestly are the best pedals I have ever played. The response is smooth, even for a pair of connected pedals, and the "straight out of the box" configuration didn't even require much playing around with to suit your playing style. What really amazed me is the comparison of the slave pedal to the master. The master and slave felt exactly the same and there was no lack of synchronization (like many double pedal sets).

The bearings in the pedal also were really smooth running and surprisingly responsive. They are ninja bearings (yes we all know this) like the ones in skateboards for extra speedz.
In terms of breaking into the direct drive pedal market, Pearl has done extremely well at making a pedal at a competitive price ($1300 including carry bag). Also i think that it outperforms Axis and Trick due to the fact parts are more readily available, its cheaper and it does a better job (IMO). Also Pearl is a trusted hardware brand.

A lot of metal drummers would by this stage have worn into their Axis and Trick pedals and would be used to playing a direct drive pedal and not want to go back or just stay with their pedal. So its all a matter of personal preference with feel.


I'd seriously suggest trying them out, best pedal I've ever played anyway. I found them a lot responsive and lighter then tricks/axis and for the price i feel that it is worth investing in.

And definitely a good upgrade from Eliminators

I'll be getting mine shortly

- Tom

What we do in our lives echoes in eternity

Offline The_Peeper

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2009, 11:53:21 PM »
I would love to try them!  :)
It's always a bit strange playing on a kick in a shop.... unless the head is the same tension as what you normally use, that can also alter your perception.

In regard to the parts issue, I think you're dead right! Pearl are really good for making their spare parts accessable, where I have met many Axis users who fucking HATE the brand after being screwed over on spare parts. I just put Tama extra heavy guage springs on my Axis as an experiment- They feel better in my opinion. Dan from Shrapnel said he used to use bed springs on his Axis pedals!!
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Offline ecentrix

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2009, 01:32:08 AM »
Haha thats killer!

Yeah thats totally right.

Axis parts are just too flimsy most of the time and as great a pedal as they are its hard to get things replaced, and you dont want to have to borrow someone elses pedals while you wait for a shipment of something you could just buy at the drum shop, or better yet get from underneath your bed.
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Offline The_Peeper

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2009, 02:41:52 AM »
you dont want to have to borrow someone elses pedals while you wait for a shipment of something you could just buy at the drum shop, or better yet get from underneath your bed.
Used tissues as bass drum dampening....  :hmm:
Fraternally bound to haunt swollen distended bodies
Their chemical reactions clash amidst rank autopsies...
NH2(CH2)4NH2...Putrescine!
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Offline ecentrix

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2009, 02:44:09 AM »
That or condoms...
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Offline Mago_Haydz

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2009, 03:26:29 AM »
That or condoms...

you wank with condoms on? what a waste of a good eruption...
Mongeese like results

Offline The_Peeper

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2009, 03:45:52 AM »
I prefer a sock full of raw chicken breasts  8)

How did a converation on bass drum pedal degenerate in to this so quickly!?  :laugh:
Fraternally bound to haunt swollen distended bodies
Their chemical reactions clash amidst rank autopsies...
NH2(CH2)4NH2...Putrescine!
C5H14N2...Cadaverine!

Offline PremierMaelstrom

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #7 on: July 09, 2009, 05:14:19 AM »
Im sure they'll be awesome.



But until they release some kind of E-Kit trigger imitation ....  :-\
It all catches up on you when you slow down ...

Offline The_Peeper

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2009, 05:27:47 AM »
Out of interest, has anyone ever seen/tried old 70's PREMIER 252 pedals???
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Offline ecentrix

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2009, 06:32:46 AM »
Fuck yeah!

Ive tried pedals that are on either side of the bass drum too! meeting in the middle.
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Offline Damo

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2009, 05:04:04 AM »
If any store tells you parts are easier to get with one brand vs another, dont believe it! The truth it, availability of parts is not controlled by the retailer or the manufacturer, but the WHOLESALER.

Sourcing parts is not always an easy thing - and this also goes for larger brands like Tama, Pearl and dw, not just your boutique brands like Axis and Trick.
With the market in the shape that its in, expect things will get even worse before they get any better.

Offline Ben Mazzarol

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2009, 06:07:42 PM »
If you are looking for a lighter feel/touch to produce speed then go for it, but if you are about maintaining power and kick responce then I would not be to quick to throw away the eliminators and the cobras. Although I doubt most drummers on this forum care about such considerations.

Offline Damo

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2009, 07:20:48 PM »
I do!

:)

Offline ecentrix

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2009, 11:01:24 PM »
Definitely something to consider...
Axis do the same things then again.
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Offline WarNick

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2009, 06:07:30 AM »
Gave these a go today, luuuurved em!

So smooth, perfectly symmetrical and i really liked the weight of the beaters but the lightness of the pedals.

My pedals are literally falling apart but i'm not really sold about forking out four figures for a new pair.  :err:

Offline Geeks

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #15 on: August 06, 2009, 12:46:25 PM »
I'm really keen to give these a go.  A mate of mine has just bought a pair and once he's dialed them in how he likes them he's going to give me a lend of them.

From watching the video I like that Pearl seem to give the heavy hitters amongst us an option.  I've seen all the fancy DW/Axis/Trick ones and whilst they look and feel nice, they made me feel like I was tip toeing through the tulips.  I don't want to sacrifice power for speed, so if these can find a great mix between the two then I'm sold.  Basically I'm a big fat bastard who stomps to hard on his pedals to get a driving double kick sound that hopefully pummels heads.

Offline PremierMaelstrom

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Re: Pearl Demon Drive Review-
« Reply #16 on: August 09, 2009, 12:59:38 AM »
I've seen all the fancy DW/Axis/Trick ones and whilst they look and feel nice, they made me feel like I was tip toeing through the tulips.  I don't want to sacrifice power for speed, so if these can find a great mix between the two then I'm sold. 

I, too, tiptoed wih the Axis for at least a year, but once you get used to them:
its really easy to get the power out of the direct drives...
Just keep them springs done up really tight :)


Basically I'm a big fat bastard who stomps to hard on his pedals to get a driving double kick sound that hopefully pummels heads.

It sounded great at The Amps!
It all catches up on you when you slow down ...