DW SMPADHU14 Deadhead 14 in Drum Practice Pad
The Deadhead 14 in is a drum practice pad that does not replace a drum: it sits on top of one. Placed on a snare drum or a tom, it keeps the height, position and rebound and takes away only the volume. That is the difference between practising on your kit and practising next to it.
What sets it apart
- 14 in diameter
- Fits 14, 15, 16 and 18 in drums
- Built on a 1/2 in board
- Also mounts on any standard snare stand
- Authentic rebound, close to that of a tensioned head
- Keeps the drum's real position in your setup
Practising on your drum, not next to it
A standalone pad on a stand puts the playing surface somewhere it never is when you really play. Distances change, height changes, and the work you put in only half carries over to the kit.
A pad placed on the drum moves nothing. The snare stays where it is, your right hand finds the ride in the same spot, your foot keeps its angle. Only the volume changes.
One diameter, several drums
14 in is the diameter of the vast majority of snare drums, but the pad goes further: it also covers 14, 15, 16 and 18 in floor toms. On a drum larger than itself, it rests on the head and mutes it from the centre.
A single pad can therefore work on several drums depending on what you are practising that day, so you do not need to buy one per size.
The base board and the snare stand
The 1/2 in board under the surface gives the pad its rigidity. It is what prevents the trampoline effect you feel on a pad that is too soft, where the rebound turns mushy and misleading.
It also lets you mount the pad on an ordinary snare stand. That way you keep the option of working on your own, backstage or on the road, without buying a second piece.
Specifications
| Diameter | 14 in |
|---|---|
| Compatible drums | 14, 15, 16 and 18 in |
| Base | 1/2 in board |
| Mounting | On the drum, or on a standard snare stand |
| Feel | Authentic rebound |
What it is for
- Working on rudiments on your own snare drum at reduced volume
- Late-night practice at home
- Warming up backstage, mounted on a stand
- Lessons in a room shared with other musicians
- Muting a floor tom for a particular recording
Compare with other manufacturers
Drum-top pads from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Evans | SoundOff snare mute | Soft foam disc, noticeably less rebound |
| Remo | Drum-top Practice Pad | Tensioned head on a frame, with no thick base board |
| Vic Firth | Drum-top pad | Range offered size by size rather than one versatile pad |
| Gibraltar | Drum practice pad | Straps to the hoop, cannot simply be laid in place |
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to take the head off the drum?
- No. The pad sits on top of the head already in place; nothing comes apart.
- Does it slide around while you play?
- Laid flat on a clean head, it stays put. On a steeply angled drum, it is better to reduce the angle or mount it on a stand.
- Does the rebound feel like a real drum head?
- It comes close, which is exactly what the rigid-board construction is for. A tightly tuned head will always be a little livelier.
- Can I use it on a 12 in tom?
- That is not what it is designed for: the pad overhangs the drum and no longer sits flat. It is made for 14, 15, 16 and 18 in drums.
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