The 5 Best Double Bass Pedals of 2023 Reviewed

Here are the best double bass pedals for drumming! (Links below⬇️)
DW 9000 Series Double Bass Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/dw-...
Pearl Demon Drive Double Bass Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/pea...
Tama Speed Cobra Double Bass Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/tam...
Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot Double Bass Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/tri...
DW MDD Machined Direct Drive Double Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/dw-...
Timecodes
0:00 - Introduction
1:17 - DW 9000 Series Double Pedal
2:50 - Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal
4:01 - Tama Speed Cobra Double Pedal
5:41 - Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot Double Pedal
7:46 - DW MDD Direct Drive Double Pedal
Full review on the Drum Helper website:
drumhelper.com/drum-hardware/...
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Website: www.drumhelper.com​
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Lastly, thank you to @ThomannMusic for having me at their incredible studio facilities!

[@GideonWaxman]

Check out these pedals! DW 9000 Series Double Bass Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/dw-... Pearl Demon Drive Double Bass Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/pea... Tama Speed Cobra Double Bass Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/tam... Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot Double Bass Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/tri... DW MDD Machined Direct Drive Double Pedal - drumhelper.com/recommends/dw-...

[@TheSPACEDIEVEST1]

I am rocking Tama 200 double pedal and it was the cheapest pedal I have used and also the most reliable pedal that I have used. I bought the Trick pro 10 years ago and I had to return it twice to its manufacturer. I sold them and haven’t looked back. Tama pedals all the way!

[@LuanFronza1]

I also have the speed cobras, a cool fact is that excluding the heel bearings it uses the same skateboard bearings, making it easy to find, a cool upgrade for any pedal would be a shaft with bearings, I believe trick sells it separately. Here In Brazil where I live, KA drums makes excellent shafts too

[@rollerknobster]

Excellent work man, great quality!

[@Mike-ol7xp]

The Yamaha DFP-9 is one of the best drum pedals on the market, second to none in my book!!

[@besticouldget]

I got direct drive versions for 2 years but shaft joints got loose.

[@fizzyfran2886]

Are you living under a rock? :D

[@jessetarr2771]

The yamaha dfp9 is such a good pedal...I own it! After seeing so many reviewers saying its just as responsive as any they've tried, I had to get it. I've played the dw9000, which I feel is really responsive like the dfp.

[@justinreynolds3935]

Back when I started playing they had iron cobra (900) Pearl eliminators and dw 5000. Those were pretty much the standards. Axis was just starting come around. Now there are a bajillion pedals!!! Gibraltar used to make a direct drive that was awesome back in the day for cheap. As did yamaha. Flying dragons. Love the new yamaha pedals. They are sick and way overdue.

[@cecilbrisley5185]

I have an Axis... since 1995. Countless rehearsal hours. Been on tour. Tossed in the car. Still as solid as the day i bought it. Wore the logos off the pedals and that is the extent of any wear. Very adjustable. Also nice that they don't rust.

[@JMDrummer93]

Which model of axis pedals do you have?

[@cecilbrisley5185]

@JMDrummer93 Can't find a model number. Back then, I think they only had one double pedal model. Not a long board at any rate.

[@danielsato4410]

I play the Pearl Demon Chain and I LOVE them! I love how they feel really low and efficient.

[@ALOIVI43]

Keep up this awesome work homs

[@Superball01]

I have the DW MDD pedals, and it’s simply amazing how effortless they are to play, best pedals I’ve ever played hands down. I tried Speed Cobras, Demon Drives, Trick, none of them come near the MDD pedals in my experience. They play unbelievably smooth and fast too, they’re just the best for me.

[@joc8]

Great video, thanks. My first double pedal was the Tama Iron Cobra ( the 200 series, because it was less expensive). Currently, I'm playing the Pearl Demon Drive (direct drive), which I've converted to the long board option, and use either wooden Low Boy, or Tama beaters on it. However, because I'm not really a metal player, I prefer fast doubles, and stuff like that, I'm considering the DW MDD single pedal, what concerns me is the heel plate looks cumbersome, although, as you pointed out, the floorboard sits above the heel plate. Anyway, if you have any thoughts, I'd be happy to hear them. Cheers.

[@DJBisGOD]

I have a Speed Cobra 910 double pedal which I converted to direct drive with the ACD Unlimited conversion kit, best purchases I ever made :)

[@TonyVazquez8265]

Good move on your direct-drive conversion! 🤘💯👍 Direct-drive is becoming more popular. Jazz and soft Rock drummers are fine with strap drives and chain drives; but for Hard Rock, Metal, and other harder genres Direct-drive is a must. I upgraded my DW3000 pedals with Canopus Speed bearings and Mapex swivel bearing rockers, DW Flyweight beaters, and a Ludwig Atlas Pro drive shaft that is phenomenally solid as the Trick drive shaft. All that's left is to convert my DW3000 to Direct-drive using the Pearl Demon direct-drive cams which uses the same hexagon axle shaped hole as the DW cams. 👍

[@3L3V3NDRUMS]

Great overview man! I use the Pearl Eliminator Red Line and I'm really happy with it!

[@GideonWaxman]

That's another great pedal. If I could include a couple more this would have been in the list!

[@sachii.k1802]

ACD Darwins are the hot topic atm 🔥

[@BrainDamageBrian]

the correct answer is the Tama Speed Cobra, but modified with the direct-drive conversion kit that Dennis from ACD makes. it’s undescribable.

[@GideonWaxman]

Nice! Yeah I love the Speed Cobra. I don't think they can be beat for the price.

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Nah Dyna sync is the correct answer.

[@victorsantana5060]

Im using the Trick BW edition also The Pearl Eliminators.At my beginning started using Tama Iron Cobra after years i jumped to Axis pedals.

[@DreCrimson]

Excellent video! As someone who's used several of these, the descriptions are on point. Also, the demos and sound quality are great 👌🏻

[@GideonWaxman]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TonyVazquez8265]

Excellent review, perfectly unbiased as you've described the Pros and Cons of each pedal set; you also mentioned Your preferred pedal, which is what I was waiting for. I like to hear drummers rate Their personal favorite pedal as the one they're using on tour and in the studio. I'm shopping around for a new set of pedals. I currently own 4 double pedal sets: DW5000 Accelerator (single-chain)... DW3000 Turbo (double-chain)... Pearl 932 Demonator (single-chain)... and Mapex Raptor (direct-drive).... of the 4, my DW3000 is my favorite because I upgraded it with Canopus Speed bearing top spring rockers and Mapex swivel bearing bottom rockers and DW Flyweight beaters and a Ludwig Atlas Pro drive shaft that is zero latency rock solid... I'm doing hardware upgrades for my other 3 double pedal sets, as a Modification hobby; but it's tedious work, therefore I am ready for a set of brand new pedals from the retailer and I will try a few pedals until I find the right double pedal set for me (I'm a 58yo garage-rock/punk/thrash drummer).

[@GideonWaxman]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful!

[@rippindrummer666]

Look into the pearl eliminator redlines. Super adjustable with the 4 different cams it comes with, it’s like 4 pedals put into 1. I had a dw 9000 for years but one day it got readjusted weird and I couldn’t get it back to normal. I tried almost every pedal on my kit(I worked at guitar center at the time and I bought almost every one we had in stock and tried them out for a few days). I tried the Tama dynasyncs, speed cobras, iron cobra rolling and powerglide, dw 5000, Yamaha fp9, demon drives and finally the pearl redlines. The redlines were the perfect blend of speed, power and felt good at slower and faster tempos. Also easier to adjust than the 9000s

[@awesomeaxel1]

I used to use the Axis AL2 pedals back when I was more focused on speed. I evolved quite a bit since then, and at this point I switch between the DW 9000s and the Speedcobra 910s, depending on what style Im playing. I wasn't too impressed with the stock driveshaft on the 9000s so I upgraded to the Trick DW driveshaft and it made a world of difference.

[@benpeterson7530]

Did you switch for more power? I have the Axis AL2s, and I really like them. I seem to get enough hit out of them, but I am also playing a very lightly muffled 24" kick. I've tried them on a heavily muffled 22", and they seemed a bit quiet.

[@awesomeaxel1]

@@benpeterson7530 Yeah, that was a large part of it. I went to a guitar center and tried out the 9000s and they just felt more solid while still being able to get plenty of speed.

[@dhonnar]

I have the pedal most people hated in the mid 2000s, the Mapex Janus Ergo Transmission Hi-Hat-Double Pedal. For me it is very convenient, mostly because the songs that I play don't a huge amount of double bass drumming, only in certain parts or accents.

[@krusher74]

no one likes a pedal with anus in the name!

[@bowengoertzen1854]

Yeah I also have that exact pedal. Not a big fan of it tho

[@dhonnar]

@@bowengoertzen1854 It has its cons, but I like its pros better

[@danglesnipecelly13]

I’ve had the DW 9000’s double for 10 years + it’s the greatest chain drive pedal ever fckn made! I wanna try a nice direct drive in the future

[@deathmetaldave]

Broke hinges in half ,junk

[@devilscoachorse]

Great video. Just wondering if you've used the Dyna sync and what you're thoughts are compared to the speed cobra as I thought that would have been in there.

[@GideonWaxman]

Thanks! Yes, I have used the Tama Dyna Sync! I actually purchased a set a couple of years ago. They are light feeling- I found them similar to the Pearl Demon Drives. But overall I much prefer the Speed Cobra for the styles of music I play where I like to have more of a sensation underfoot, especially laying into grooves.

[@johannjohann6523]

I've got a set of the Pearl Eliminator pedals that work pretty good. Solid in my book, plenty of easy adjustments. But have checked out the new Yamaha pedals, and if you can afford them are probably the smoothest pedals out there right now, incorporating more ball bearings so give you the feel with a smoothness that I haven't found in other pedals. Look good too. But they are not cheap either.

[@do8671]

Do you have enough power/snap?

[@BlacksRuinEverything]

I just run Czarcie Kopyto pedals and will never go back to anything else. They are one of the best pedals I've ever used.

[@krusher74]

The way he fights with others online like a child means he wont be getting any of my money.

[@mellindrums]

​@@krusher74CK doesn't fight with anyone.

[@josephsmall9475]

Can any of these double pedals be split and used independently for a double kick set up?

[@GianSeehra]

My favourite drumming website!!

[@_dgdrums_]

That was an amazing helpful video! I play the DW3000 for years now, and for their price they're just perfect. They're smooth AF and build really massive. They're a great option if you have to look at the price. But I'd love to play the DW9000!

[@Wolfiecolada]

check out the 5000s too. they are really good pedals. i've had the 5000s and the 9000s. i could go with either.

[@TonyVazquez8265]

I have the 3K and the 5K... my 3K is currently upgraded with Canopus Speed bearings above the springs and Mapex swivel bearing rockers at the bottom of the springs, DW Flyweight beaters, and a Ludwig Atlas Pro drive shaft that is phenomenally solid as the Trick shafts. But, yes, I certainly would like to try the DW9000s XF model. I've tried other pedals in my possession (Pearl 932 Demonator single-chain, and a Mapex Raptor direct drive model) but I love the heavyweight DW 3s and 5s; I'm 58yo, so I need heavy footboards to do most of the power work for me; I play garage-rock/punk/thrash in two bands.

[@stevealtman7204]

The quality is so nice

[@MadCritter]

The ACD Unlimited Darwin FTW is without a doubt the best pedal in the world. Nothing else can compare.

[@besticouldget]

I might order new shaft from ACD to my Yamaha direct drives. Shaft is like 6mm loose from both joints and it's annoying to fight with the pedal to do fast bursts and doublebass in general.

[@Taranc13]

waited 9 months for my darwin's, easily completely worth it, even with the absurd price. smoother than my old trick/axis/dw pedals, WAY easier to set up and micro-adjust, built to last decades. highly recommend.

[@joshlewis5065]

It's real interesting to see more direct drive pedals become more popular. To me, they seem simpler and cheaper to manufacture

[@zcookie9272]

I have been using the speed cobras for about a year now. I do like them. But I have had to switch some things around. The cobra coil is gone. bigger springs and I'm using the dw beaters. Wasn't a fan of the rubber beaters"

[@royalmania9516]

Need to review Yamaha FD9. They are great pedals. Only gripe about them is the felt beaters, I like nylon beaters. I've played DW's for a while and made the switch. So glad I did.

[@galgogergo]

What model of DWs did you make the switch from?

[@royalmania9516]

@@galgogergo Back in the day, they were the top DW5000's. LOL, yeah I'm old.

[@bigbogh]

A bit DW biased I guess. Great video man

[@GideonWaxman]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jonashellborg8320]

I have Pearl 830 pedal, a few steps down from the Demon drive pedals. I had a Tama Speed Cobra, and I can agree that you get more power with the Tama, but I’d say the dynamic range is better with the Pearl 830 I have. I liked the video and you adding in your own experiences into the mix!

[@stanfordkoch1271]

I have both the pearl demon drive and the tama iron cobras

[@ForTheReels]

Exactly what I was looking for. Tama it is, then!

[@GideonWaxman]

Good choice!

[@ImFrantic]

I've played the Speed Cobra of a friend and I've gotta say, that I don't really like it. The springs are just too soft, even when completely maxed out and due to the unique formfactor of such springs, just slappin in other ones doesn't work. So my advice for anybody who's playin with a higher spring tension and is lookin for that something of quality: Tama Iron Cobra

[@GideonWaxman]

Interesting - I've found I've always been able to crank the springs up tight. I loosen them a lot more nowadays though.

[@ImFrantic]

@@GideonWaxman I guess it heavily depends on how tight it feels more than the actual tightness (?). I'm a pretty heavy dude (95 kg/ 209 lbs) and when I'm goin for full leg motion I feel no resistance at all but It could also be due to that specific pedal. I've only ever played that one friend's speed cobra so, I dunnow 😅

[@ersenblaster4660]

Tama Speed Cobra❤

[@marc8vino]

It looks like you leave your left beater on the head while playing the right? Doesn't that deaden the tone? I see you mostly bury the beater. I try to lift the beater of the head unless I am trying to get that sound, but even when I bury I try not to have the other beater already pressing on the head. Do you not hear an issue when recording? You sounded good in this video and the others. Just wondering if it would get a better tone?

[@SunnyHF-nf4bc]

@marc8vino You are correct. There might be some sound editing here (which is fine because it’s for tone). He also has a port-hole cut into the resonant head of his kick drum which makes it easier to bury with minimal overhits. Letting the beater come off the head allows for a much more full tone.

[@GideonWaxman]

Hey, I find that when I play slower groovier double pedal sections I like to bury the beaters. I never hear any weird issues or anything from recordings if I keep the left beater buried. I wouldn't worry about that. Especially if that feels most comfortable!

[@dma7878]

What about Schossleitner?

[@fritzmusic]

@8:41, is that a developing crack on the direct drive shaft?

[@krusher74]

its a scratch in the finish.

[@jonathanalfred9847]

I played a single peddle most of my life. But around a year ago i bought the DW5000 double peddle to see what playing a double peddle was like. and it seems good. But i have nothing to compare it with. How does it compare with the peddles in this video. And would i feel a difference between the DW5000 and 9000 ?

[@danielsato4410]

I've tried both and I would say, yes, you'll definitely feel a difference. The DW5000 has a solid, traditional feel. The DW 9000 has a buttery smooth, almost futuristic kind of feel. I hope this helps!

[@krusher74]

"almost futuristic kind of feel." what the fucj does that mean! @@danielsato4410

[@GideonWaxman]

The 5000 has a little more resistance instead of feeling as smooth as the 9000s but both are excellent options

[@ex0148]

Confused why the Peral Demon XR isn't here? Having just took delivery yesterday (XR Double Direct drive) it really is quite amazing compared to just about anything else I have used, I'm literally grinning like a Cheshire cat it feels like an extension of my foot.

[@GideonWaxman]

Yeah, that's a great point! We actually filmed this video before that pedal was released. Otherwise, I'm sure it would have been featured!

[@mongohoward6106]

did you film this 10 years ago? Iv'e had the demon drive direct drive for a decade and i'ts awesome.@@GideonWaxman

[@regentsaquariums5692]

Tama Speed Cobra Is The Best.

[@_ahimsa_]

acd darwin pedals & Czarcie Kopyto? why they are not on the list? they are way better of all DW pedals on this videos

[@prototheist]

Yea without these pedals the video isn’t really comparing the best of 2023. ACD and CK are definitely used more than DW MDD or DW 9000

[@sawyersaucetm]

​@@prototheistthose pedals are never used professionally 💀

[@RorstadKATG]

Probably because they are really rare and made to order, also they are REALLY expensive. Even top of the range pedals from larger manufacturers are cheaper. As for not being used professionally, they are, but they are few and far between because they're a bitch to get hold of, also it's a relatively unknown company going on the size of the industry. I'm planning on moving to an ACD Darwin FTW double pedal at some point and I'm a diehard cobra player, have been since 2008 or thereabouts.

[@prototheist]

what are you talking about? Have you ever watched any metal drum cams?@@sawyersaucetm

[@sawyersaucetm]

@@prototheist I in fact have

[@tonyvalenti6614]

I’m surprised not to see the Tama Dyna-Sync as part of this review. 🤔

[@GideonWaxman]

Good point- they are a good set of pedals, and I previously owned them, but I preferred the other options featured here!

[@tonyvalenti6614]

@@GideonWaxman Ah! Then the tile should be “My 5 Favorite …“ rather than “The 5 Best”… 😉

[@phillippapageorgiou7206]

Speed cobra

[@justinvollrath7171]

Why use the chain Demon Drive? The direct drive is way better , throw some GB beaters on it and hands down the best double pedal.

[@GideonWaxman]

Honestly I think they are both awesome. I think looking back I may have even requested the direct drive but got the chain drive instead.

[@charlzthedrummer]

Does a dw5000 work as well as a 9000?

[@GideonWaxman]

Absolutely! The DW 5000 Series are great pedals (like the 9000) and another top professional-level choice.

[@MrBlueDux]

Is pearl eliminator good?

[@GideonWaxman]

Yeah they are great! I like the Redline Eliminators!

[@MrBlueDux]

@@GideonWaxmanwhat are is the difference between the redline and the demon drive?

[@GideonWaxman]

@@MrBlueDux ​A couple key differences - The Demon Drive has a Duo-Deck footboard (which changes between longboard or shortboard), while Redline doesn't have this feature. But Redline has 4 different cams included to alter the playing feel, while Demon Drive has a 'perfect circle' cam.

[@jarek14655]

You forgot about the best equipment available on the market. Devil's Hoof. Czarcie Kopyto.

[@prestonakin6618]

Pearl demon , period

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Nah Dyna sync destroys it. And it's full stop not period. Only girls have periods.

[@gurnblanstein9816]

That's weird. My DW direct drive machine pedal is made out of aluminum not aluminium...

[@LeakyJAZZ]

Seems like an odd list. No yamaha fp-9?

[@GideonWaxman]

A good pedal! I'll probably include it in my single pedal roundup.

[@multipleerrors3037]

No Darwin ACD, Czarcie Kopyto or Axis. Hardly a comparison of top pedals with those missing. Also worth noting the (lack of) availability of Trick pedals. I personally play axis & Trick pro1v black widows, it took me almost 2 years of serious hunting & waiting to get my hands on a new set of trick black widows. Ever since the pandemic their production has slowed down to a trickle. They are extremely hard to find now & sell for considerably more used than retail on ebay now due to scarcity. They are backordered at every retailer i can think of including the link provided here, who knows how long you have to wait to get a set now.

[@Hardball230gr]

💯👍🤘

[@dannymarcin1381]

I ordered the sweet water exclusive trick black and green low mass big foot’s about 4 months ago and they just shipped yesterday.

[@wildernesspath1]

So I have to ask why you describe Tricks pedals as direct drive but you play them as a chain drive? Doesn't seem like you're giving an accurate review if you aren't playing the pedals as described.

[@NS-dd9ou]

These are just 5 good pedals tried by a drummer. Not the best engineered wise not necessarily the best for everyone preference/ liking

[@sandrobelizario2364]

The best is a K.A pedals.

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Dyna sync

[@williamweiss6128]

Axis....

[@sergeyfrolov2439]

Direct drive made the revolution. Now the chain pedal will never be good like direct drive. All professionals (even jazz drummers) prefer direct drive pedal instead obsolete chain versions. I m sure that chain pedals are dead for pro market (for metal drummers 💯 fatality).

[@HiltonHeslop]

Czarcie Kopyto pedals arethe best yet not in this video 👎🏽

[@RASSCAL16]

Shouldn’t yu actually be a drummer to give us insight???

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Lol Dyna sync should be on this list. DW are absolute garbage

[@rusinjeff5959]

With his accent 😂 I couldn’t even tell which pedal he liked the best ,I couldn’t understand him. So that was a sucky review

[@Martee234]

Trick Pro 1-V that you are testing is not direct drive... and it does not have a spring that you can tension... if you wanna make a video do a good research first! and where is the AXIS, where is Czarcie Kopyto pedals, man you lacking so much great stuff here

[@TonySmithDrums]

Czarcie are nice but their communication is horrible.