Bass Drum Pedals Guide: Drive Types, Setup & Tuning for Metal Drummers | MetalForge
Chain vs belt vs direct drive, single vs double pedals, and how to set up spring tension, beater, and footboard for metal — plus the verified pedal of every ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What bass drum pedal do most metal drummers use?
There's no single pedal every metal drummer uses, but the verified roster skews heavily toward double pedals from Tama (Iron Cobra, Speed Cobra), Pearl (Demon Drive, Eliminator), and DW (5000/9000 Series), with direct-drive options like Axis reserved mostly for extreme-speed specialists.
Is direct drive better than chain drive for metal?
Neither is strictly "better" — chain drive is the metal default, giving a natural, slightly cushioned feel that most drummers find comfortable and powerful. Direct drive removes all slack between footboard and beater for the fastest, most immediate response, which is why extreme metal drummers chasing sustained top-end speed often gravitate to it. See the drive types guide for the full comparison.
Do I need a double bass pedal for metal?
For most metal styles, yes. Blast beats and constant sixteenth-note kick patterns are built around two beaters. Only doom, traditional heavy metal, and some groove metal primarily run single bass drum setups — see the single-vs-double guide for the full breakdown.