5 Best Direct Drive Double Bass Pedals

Best Direct Drive Double Bass Pedals

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A direct drive double bass pedal is an essential tool for any drummer looking to achieve blistering fast kick drum speeds.

Direct drive pedals are extremely smooth and are typically the most expensive types of bass drum pedals. They are also favored mostly by metal drummers, especially in double pedal formats.

The pedal drive between the beater and the footboard is a solid metal linkage that is unable to flex. This allows for the fastest response possible and allows the footboard to return to its original position incredibly quickly.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best direct drive double bass pedals on the market right now. I’ve compared design, build quality, features, and cost to give you my top recommendations.

What are the Best Direct Drive Double Bass Pedals?

Image Recommended ProductsProduct Features Price
PREMIUM
Trick Drums Pro 1-V Bigfoot Black Widow Double Bass Drum Pedal
  • Precision crafted direct drive pedal
  • Internal compression spring technology
  • Longboard design
Pearl Demon Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal
  • Exceedingly versatile direct drive pedal
  • Duo-Deck convertible footboard
  • Ninja bearings
BEST
DW MDD Machined Direct Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal
  • Solid aluminum direct drive pedal
  • Effortlessly quick and responsive
  • Extended footboard with heel plate
Trick Drums Dominator Double Bass Drum Pedal
  • Precision crafted direct drive pedal
  • Aerospace-grade construction
  • Longboard design
BUDGET
Yamaha FP9 Direct-Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal
  • Legendary direct drive pedal
  • Super-smooth and stable
  • Longboard footboard

How I Tested and Selected the Best Direct Drive Double Bass Drum Pedals

I’ve been using double bass drum pedals for most of my drumming career. I’ve gone back and forth between chain-drive and direct-drive pedals, and I’ve always enjoyed the unique sensation that direct drive pedals have to offer.

I used my years of experience with playing double pedal techniques to the test when demoing several direct-drive pedals for this list. 

With each pedal, I checked for a balance of speed and power. I then looked at the adjustability settings, the overall build quality, and I compared the value of each option. 

I assessed each pedal’s ability to deliver rapid and accurate pedal strokes, as well as its ability to withstand consistent use and maintain its responsiveness over extended periods.

Customizability and adjustability were also crucial for my selection. I chose pedals that offer a wide range of adjustment options, allowing drummers to fine-tune the pedal to their specific playing styles and preferences.

Best Direct Drive Double Bass Pedal Reviews

PREMIUM

Trick Drums Pro 1-V Bigfoot Black Widow Double Bass Drum Pedal

An advanced pedal that delivers outstanding performance thanks to its first-rate craftsmanship and materials. With zero lag and highly flexible settings, this pedal feels sublime.
Speed
5.0
Power
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
Adjustability
5.0
Value
3.0

    Trick Drums Pro 1-V Bigfoot Black Widow Double Bass Drum Pedal Review

    Trick dominates the direct drive pedal segment of drums like no other company. The Trick Drums Pro 1-V Bigfoot Black Widow Double Bass Drum Pedal is simply lightyears ahead of its competitors’ offerings.

    The Trick Bigfoot Pro 1-V is an incredibly well-engineered double pedal. It is ultra durable and the playing response I received is nothing short of remarkable.

    The pedal features a longboard design that is actually two individual single pedals connected via a shaft.

    If you’re looking at direct drive double bass pedals, you’ll want an array of exceptional features that enhance performance and usability. The Trick Pro 1-V has it all. 

    I was also really impressed with how silent the pedals were when playing. No matter how quickly I played, I just never heard anything other than the notes of the bass drum. 

    With these direct drive pedals, you can still achieve a great deal of power alongside blisteringly fast speeds. 

    The price may be daunting, but rest assured, this is the best set of direct drive pedals on the market. You’ll be sure to receive a pedal that is faster, smoother, and more durable than any other pedal.

    The only main downside is that the slave pedal is prone to slipping, as the underside of the metal base plate is completely smooth. I needed to attach velcro to the underside in order to keep it from moving whilst I played!

    Pros

    • Exceptional performance is second to none
    • Highest quality components throughout
    • Totally innovative and user-friendly design

    Cons

    • No case included which is disappointing considering the price
    • Ultra-premium price tag puts this out of reach for many drummers

    Pearl Demon Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal

    Used by many touring drummers, this pedal is extremely fast and offers flawless movement, as well as a high level of adjustability with its Duo-Deck footboard.
    Speed
    4.5
    Power
    3.5
    Build Quality
    4.5
    Adjustability
    5.0
    Value
    4.0

      Pearl Demon Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal Review

      The Pearl Demon Drive Direct Drive Pedals are a very popular choice amongst drummers and for good reason. These direct drive pedals offer a supremely smooth playing response and they are ultra-versatile.

      Featuring an innovative Duo-Deck footboard, you can change between a longboard and a standard shortboard design in a matter of seconds. 

      I haven’t played on too many convertible pedals before, but I absolutely loved how you can switch between having more power or control. 

      Inspecting the build quality of these direct drive pedals, I could tell the design and quality is first-rate. The components were solid throughout. 

      A special mention goes to the Ninja Bearings which are super smooth, and the Control-Core felt beaters that produce a great sounding attack.

      These pedals are favored by many of today’s drumming legends thanks to the adjustability, features, and high build quality offered. The level of customization is incredible and you’ll be sure to find settings to match your playing style.

      Direct drive pedals are typically very expensive, but the Pearl Demon Drives also offer considerably good value for money compared to many other direct drive pedals on the market.

      Pros

      • Rock-solid and built to last with high-quality components
      • Extremely customizable with a convertible footboard
      • Great value, and includes a durable carry case

      Cons

      • Takes some time to find the sweet spot with settings
      BEST

      DW MDD Machined Direct Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal

      Machined from solid aluminum, this pedal is the first of its kind from DW. It feels effortlessly quick and responsive to play, and it also benefits from being both light and extremely durable.
      Speed
      4.5
      Power
      4.5
      Build Quality
      5.0
      Adjustability
      4.0
      Value
      3.0

        DW MDD Machined Direct Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal Review

        The DW Machined Direct Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal is the first of its kind from the iconic Drum Workshop brand. Each pedal is precisely crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum with the latest technology to provide you with a powerful tool to elevate your drumming.

        DW is renowned for its legendary drums and hardware. This pedal meets all of my expectations and more. The unit is incredibly well-built as you would expect from DW. It has an extended footboard with a heel plate that sits above an incredibly sturdy base plate.

        Playing this pedal I was simply blown away. It provided an instant playing response without any lag whatsoever, and the feel of the pedal is incredibly satisfying.

        It offered incredible responsiveness and unparalleled control. The feeling is totally unique and you get to experience a high level of finesse playing this pedal.

        This direct drive double bass pedal features a heel plate, which makes it slightly different from the others in this list. Some drummers prefer it, especially for heel-down playing, but most direct drive pedals use a full longboard footboard.

        The pedal takes advantage of a host of exciting features that help to make this one of the smoothest and most reactive direct drive bass drum pedals on the market. It’s an expensive direct drive pedal, but it’s well worth the investment.

        Pros

        • Incredibly build quality with solid aluminum construction
        • Stylish and rugged design
        • Smooth yet powerful playing response

        Cons

        • Very expensive
        • Heel plate might be off-putting for some yet it is a ‘longboard’ design

        Trick Drums Dominator Double Bass Drum Pedal

        A more affordable pedal than the Pro 1-V, the Dominator pedal still delivers immense speed and power while possessing Trick’s legendary build quality and high level of adjustability.
        Speed
        4.5
        Power
        3.5
        Build Quality
        5.0
        Adjustability
        4.5
        Value
        4.5

          Trick Drums Dominator Double Bass Drum Pedal Review

          The Trick Drums Dominator Double Bass Drum Pedal is a more affordable version of Trick’s flagship Pro 1-V Bigfoot. 

          This pedal delivers the same remarkable build quality and features you can expect from its bigger brother, but I thought it had a sleeker design with a more accessible price.

          The Trick Dominator comes in a longboard design and the main difference between itself and the Pro 1-V is the difference in design. The construction is more streamlined and lighter, with less metal utilized particularly around the base plate. It also has larger aluminum pedal beaters.

          Much like the Pro 1-V, the Dominator takes full advantage of the innovative compression springs, as well as independent Split Cams for quick beater and board angle adjustments.

          The build quality and playing response of this pedal are extraordinary. All the parts are fully machined, aerospace-grade components that are hand-assembled and tested. It’s a true work of art and feels sublime to play! It also offers a serious amount of customization.

          If you are looking for a direct drive double pedal that has zero latency and a wickedly fast playing response, then the Trick Dominator double bass drum pedal is a strong contender for the best direct drive pedal on the market.

          Pros

          • Legendary Trick quality at a more affordable price
          • Precision crafted with all-machined parts for supreme durability
          • Smooth, powerful, and fast response

          Cons

          • No protective carry case or bag included
          • No spikes means it can slip on carpeted surfaces
          BUDGET

          Yamaha FP9 Direct-Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal

          Smooth in operation and ruggedly built, the Yamaha FP9 direct drive pedal is supremely playable. It also feels great to play for a wide range of musical styles.
          Speed
          4.0
          Power
          4.0
          Build Quality
          4.5
          Adjustability
          4.0
          Value
          3.5

            Yamaha FP9 Direct-Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal Review

            The Yamaha FP9 Direct Drive Double Pedal is a legendary pedal that comes in direct drive and chain drive versions. It’s also one of my favorite double bass drum pedals I have played, and it feels extremely smooth and sturdy underfoot.

            The Yamaha FP9 is one of the best direct drive pedals available. It’s supremely playable yet rock-solid, thanks to the powerful, heavy-duty frame and smooth components included.

            In use I could feel that it’s simply a very well-engineered pedal. Yamaha is a drum brand that is renowned for producing excellent drums and hardware. This is the company’s flagship bass drum pedal, and it delivers on all fronts.

            Both the master and slave pedals are ruggedly built, and the weighted beater system is a welcome addition to this pedal. The linkage bar between the pedals is loaded with ball bearings to ensure a totally smooth response.

            This pedal had more adjustability settings than most of the other ones I tried, so I was easily able to dial in my preferred controls. 

            Pros

            • Stylish and beautifully smooth
            • Lots of adjustment options
            • Great for a range of musical styles

            Cons

            • Spring mechanism is a little basic
            • Default cam settings require significant tweaking

            Direct Drive Bass Drum Pedal Buyer’s Guide

            A direct drive double pedal provides unparalleled speed compared to the other types of bass drum pedals available.

            The reason for this is because direct drive pedals feature a solid linkage between the footboard and the beater.

            Direct drive pedals are extremely common in aggressive styles of music such as metal, as they help to allow drummers to play exceptionally fast bass drum strokes.

            Many of the world’s best metal drummers use direct drive bass drum pedals to help them achieve such speeds.

            Direct drive pedals are generally favored in double pedal formats because they are easier to transport and play at shows, rather than having two individual bass drums.

            It’s also slightly more cost-effective than having two single direct drive bass drum pedals too.

            Another reason why drummers like to use a direct drive double bass drum pedal is that it’s easier to achieve the same sound from a single kick drum with a double pedal, rather than needing to tune two separate kicks.

            Things to Consider When Buying a Direct Drive Double Pedal

            Cost

            Double bass drum pedals are expensive, there’s no denying that. But some options are twice as expensive as others, so you should be prepared to spend within your budget.

            Some options don’t include a carry case either, so if you want a Trick Drums direct drive pedal, be prepared to spend extra on a protective case.

            Power 

            When buying a direct drive double bass drum pedal, you’ll need to consider that by opting for greater speeds, you’ll be sacrificing power.

            Some pedals offer more power than others, but from experience, I’ve always found it harder to achieve the same power with direct drive pedals as I do with chain drive double pedals.

            For example, I achieved more power with any chain drive double pedal than I did with the Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal during my product testing.

            But in return, I’ve never been able to achieve the same fast speeds with a chain drive pedal as a direct drive pedal.

            Adjustability 

            All direct drive pedals offer excellent adjustability, but some have more options than others. For example, the Pearl Demon Drive direct drive pedal allows you to choose between a longboard and a shortboard footboard, in addition to the usual settings.

            If you want to make simple adjustments, The Trick Drums Pro 1-V Bigfoot is a great choice for you as it is extremely easy to make adjustments to beater angle and the spring tension with simple one-touch knobs.

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