DW MFG MDD Single Bass Drum Pedal, Direct Drive, Polished

• Parts machined from solid aluminum
• Polished anodized aluminum, the only version that shows the bare metal
• Direct drive cam, in solid aluminum
• Patented Tri-Pivot toe clamp
• Bearing pivot assembly, built to tight tolerances
• Deluxe soft case, carried as a backpack

A cast part comes out of a mould with its tolerances, and is then fitted. A machined part starts as a solid block that a cutter carves into the intended shape. The second process costs much more in machine time; in exchange, two consecutive parts come out identical, and the assembly clearances are the ones that were decided.

On a pedal, you feel it wherever two parts pivot against each other. The bores are true to size, the axles sit in them without play, and the mechanism responds from the very first millimetre instead of first taking up its own slack.

This part number is the polished version of the line, the one that lets you see the metal. The three other anodized colours dress the same mechanism; the polished finish shows it off. On a direct drive pedal, the linkage is exposed and moves with every stroke: many drummers buy it for that reason too.

It is also a finish that asks more of you: a fingerprint or a scuff from a shoe sole shows up on it, where a matte colour hides it. A dry cloth takes care of it, as long as you remember to use one.

The supplied soft case doubles as a backpack. It is not a gimmick: a drummer who travels by public transit, by bike or from a distant parking lot already has both hands full with a snare and a cymbal bag.

Freeing both hands really does change the number of trips between the car and the stage. And a pedal stored in its case keeps its spring and stroke settings, instead of losing them at the bottom of a bin with the cymbal stands.

• Drummers who want a single pedal with no manufacturing compromise
• Setups where the mechanism is part of the look
• Frequent travel without a car
• Recording, where the slightest bit of play is audible
• Replacing a cast pedal that has lost its precision

Machined or direct drive single pedals from other manufacturers:

Is a direct drive pedal a good fit for someone coming from a chain drive?

The switch takes a few hours of adjustment. The rigid linkage transmits everything, including the imprecisions of your foot, which makes your playing clearer but less forgiving at first.

Does the polished finish need special care?

A dry cloth is enough. Just avoid abrasive products, which permanently dull the surface.

What is the difference from the extended footboard version?

The manufacturer offers XF models with an extended footboard, with a modified contoured heel plate that allows the extra length without enlarging the footprint. That is the answer for anyone looking for more leverage and travel; this one keeps the standard-length footboard.

Is there a matching double pedal?

Yes. The manufacturer offers the MDD2, a complete double pedal from the same machined line, also available with an extended footboard.