DW 101AIR Airweight Two-Way Bass Drum Beater, 80 g
The 101AIR is defined by one number: 80 grams. The manufacturer designed it for its MDD pedals, whose balance is calculated down to the gram, and it comes as standard on the Concept Series direct drive pedals. It is a beater whose weight is its main specification.
What sets it apart
- Exactly 80 g: the weight is what defines this part
- Two-way beater: white felt and black plastic
- Designed for the manufacturer's MDD pedals
- Fitted as standard on Concept Series direct drive pedals
- Lightens the end of the lever without touching the rest of the pedal
Why a beater's weight matters
On a chain-drive pedal, a little weight at the end of the lever goes almost unnoticed: the chain absorbs part of the inertia. On a direct drive pedal, the link between footboard and beater is rigid, and whatever sits at the end of the arm comes straight back into your foot.
Hence this part. Its 80 grams are not a marketing claim: it is the value the pedal's balance was calculated around. Fitting a heavier beater throws off the balance the designer set.
What a lighter beater changes in your playing
A lighter beater comes back quickly. On tight sixteenth notes or heel-toe playing, the beater stays locked to your foot instead of lagging a split second behind it, and closely spaced notes keep the same intensity.
The flip side is worth mentioning: at equal volume, a lighter beater takes more effort from your foot than a heavy one. In front of a very loud band, with a lightly miked bass drum, it is a choice to make with your eyes open.
Specifications
| Weight | 80 g (2.82 oz) |
|---|---|
| Listed materials | White felt and black plastic |
| Number of sides | Two |
| Design | For the manufacturer's MDD pedals |
| Standard fitting | Concept Series direct drive pedals |
What it is for
- A direct drive pedal you want to keep at its factory balance
- Fast playing where the return has to follow the foot without delay
- Replacing the original beater on a Concept Series pedal
- Lightening a pedal that feels sluggish on the return
- A second, lighter beater kept for fast songs
Compare with other manufacturers
Direct drive pedal makers each approach beater weight in their own way:
| Manufacturer | Comparable beater | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Axis | Direct drive pedal beaters | Mount and length specific to the Axis design |
| Trick | Pro1-V pedal beaters | Designed with the pedal, not sold as a balance option |
| Tama | Direct drive pedal beater | Weight not given as a selection criterion |
| Pearl | Eliminator Demon Drive beater | Adjusted through removable faces rather than total weight |
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it weigh, exactly?
- 80 grams, or 2.82 ounces. That is the value the manufacturer states, and it is the reason this part exists.
- What are the two sides made of?
- The manufacturer's materials list gives white felt and black plastic, while its product description only mentions heavy-duty plastic. We go with the materials list, and we point out the discrepancy rather than settle it on the manufacturer's behalf.
- Will it work on a chain-drive pedal?
- The manufacturer designed it for its MDD pedals. On a chain-drive pedal, the balance gain is less clear, since the chain already absorbs part of the inertia.
- Is it the original beater on my pedal?
- It is on Concept Series direct drive pedals. On the others, it is an upgrade.
- Does a light beater make you play faster?
- It reduces what you have to set back in motion on every note, so it helps the return. It does not replace footwork, and it costs a little acoustic volume.
Avis clients
Has your direct drive pedal lost its factory balance?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.