Best Drum Pedals for Mathcore in 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best drum pedals for mathcore's dissonant, odd-time aggression: what Ben Koller (Tama Iron Cobra 900 double, Converge), Matt Greiner (DW 9000 double, August Burns Red), Blake Richardson (twin Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide singles, BTBAM), and Danny Carey (Sonor Giant Step double, Tool) actually play. Ranked budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
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."
Does Blake Richardson use a double pedal?
No — Blake Richardson of Between the Buried and Me drives two independent Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide single pedals rather than a linked double pedal, a deliberate choice that preserves total foot independence across BTBAM's genre-hopping technicality.
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 (Blake Richardson) 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.