What pedal does Ben Koller use?

Ben Koller of Converge plays a Tama Iron Cobra 900 double pedal, which has driven Converge's blast-and-breakdown vocabulary across 25-plus years, from "Jane Doe" (2001) through the Grammy-nominated "The Dusk in Us."

Do mathcore drummers need extreme double-bass speed?

Not necessarily. Mathcore rewards instant, precise response to sudden meter and tempo changes over sustained double-bass speed. A pedal like Ben Koller's Iron Cobra 900 prioritizes zero-lag reaction to odd-time accents over raw sustained blast-beat velocity.

Double pedal or twin independent singles for mathcore?

A linked double pedal is the standard choice — Ben Koller, Matt Greiner, and Danny Carey all rely on one. Twin independent singles, like Blake Richardson's setup, trade extra cost and setup complexity for total foot independence, worthwhile only if your technique specifically demands that separation.

What pedal does Danny Carey use?

Danny Carey of Tool plays a Sonor Giant Step Twin Effect double pedal, whose direct-drive action anchors Tool's famously Fibonacci-structured polyrhythms on "Lateralus" and the band's subsequent, compositionally rigorous material.

Do I need an expensive double pedal to play mathcore?

No — a Tama Iron Cobra 600 or Pearl Eliminator Redline will teach real odd-time pedal technique at a fraction of the price of Matt Greiner's DW 9000 or Danny Carey's Sonor Giant Step. Upgrade once your technique and budget allow for a professional-tier pedal.