DW MFG MDD XF Single Bass Drum Pedal, Extended Footboard
The MDD XF is a direct drive single bass drum pedal with a footboard longer than that of standard models. It is meant for drummers who do not play with two feet but want each bass drum stroke to land exactly where they decided it would.
What sets it apart
- Direct drive single pedal, extended footboard (XF)
- Bearings housed in the cam assembly, known as a floating rotor
- Modified Contour heel plate, same footprint on the floor
- Solid aluminum cam with an adjustable pivot
- Vertical spring adjustment
- Leatherette soft case included
A single pedal is not a budget pedal
High-end hardware is readily associated with double pedals, as if playing with one foot were an earlier stage. That is a misreading: the vast majority of recorded music rests on a single bass drum, and the precision of one stroke is a harder problem than two strokes in quick succession.
A well-built single pedal has nothing extra to carry: no drive shaft, no universal joints, no second footboard. Everything your foot sends goes straight to the head. That is why a high-end single pedal often feels more direct than the right half of a double.
Long and direct: who it suits
The combination of a long footboard and a rigid linkage suits three profiles. The drummer with large feet, who lacks surface. The one who plays heel up and slides the foot. And the one looking for power without stiffening the tension, because an overly tight spring tires the thigh over a long show.
On the other hand, a drummer who plays heel down on a short footboard and is happy with it has no reason to change: the extra leverage comes at the cost of foot travel.
What you feel on the first try
The first contact with a direct drive surprises you with its lack of delay. The beater moves the moment your foot does, not an instant later. Many drummers first find the pedal too lively and tighten the spring out of reflex.
The opposite is usually what you should do: back the tension off slightly, let the floating rotor do its work, and give your foot a week to recalibrate. A verdict reached after ten minutes is almost never the right one.
Specifications
| Configuration | Single pedal |
|---|---|
| Drive | Direct, floating-mounted rotor |
| Footboard | Extended (XF) |
| Heel plate | Modified Contour |
| Spring | Vertical adjustment |
| Finish | Polished aluminum |
What it is for
- Single-foot playing that demands precise placement
- Heel-up playing and slide technique
- Large shoe sizes looking for more surface
- Studio work, where the bass drum stroke is laid bare
- Drummers coming from a short-footboard chain drive pedal
Compare with other manufacturers
Direct drive single pedals from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | FP9500D | Classic direct drive, two-sided beater and shaft lock |
| Tama | Dyna-Sync single | Adjustable feel to get closer to a chain or a strap drive |
| Pearl | Demon XR P3500D | Stripped-down design, focused on light weight above all |
| Gibraltar | 9711 Series direct drive | Conventional build, different price positioning |
Frequently asked questions
- Is a high-end single bass drum pedal worth it?
- Yes. With no drive shaft or second footboard, everything your foot produces reaches the head, which makes a single stroke cleaner.
- Can the first try be misleading?
- Often. The lack of delay is surprising and tempts you to tighten the spring; it is better to back it off and give your foot a week.
- Do I have to play heel up to get the benefit?
- That is where the long footboard helps most, but heel down remains perfectly playable.
- Can I add a second pedal to it?
- No. The double version is a separate product, built around a different connecting frame.
Avis clients
How long did it take your foot to get used to direct drive?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.