SL Drums Info

[jader201]

I have an SL drum set. I've searched these forums, as well as other sites, but there doesn't seem to be much info out there on this set. This thread was made in hopes that I'm just not looking in the right spot.

Specifically, I'd like to know the following:

1) How does its sensitivity compare to QM/EL?

2) How does its durability compare to QM/EL?

3) What drum pad mods work best with it? I know this is subjective based on preference, but I'm specifically looking for something that a) won't degrade sensitivity, and ideally, improve it, b) will improve rebound, c) will dampen the horrible clacking, d) provide some protection, and e) will look good (in this order).

4) It seems my SL has more missed hits than my EL kit before it did, particularly on red rolls. I know some of it is me, but I'm noticing it more on SL than EL, especially on big endings if I try to do a roll -- it will just flat miss notes, about 1 of every 3 or 4, if I go fast enough. Should I look at sensor mods (i.e.drumsensor.com)? Or will pad mods improve this? Or, should I RMA (again)?

Thanks in advance for any info/suggestions anybody has.

[chaosad]

Maybe you should rma it. I have never had another drum set besides my SL and I have been pounding on it for quit some time now. Durability has been awesome for me. The first mod I did with it was the mouse pad mod. I never had missed hits or anything like that, but no rebound what so ever. Then I went with 1/8 gum rubber. Great rebound and I am still not getting any missed or double hits. I never lost any sensitivity with the mouse pads/nor the gum rubber with my set.

I also bought Zildian anti-vibe 5b nylon tipped sticks along with a seperate set of rubber tips from Steve Weiss Music online. The rubber tips come in three different sizes, slips over your drum tips, and that also did wonders for better playing as far as having a more natural feel. I made my own struts and that just made things even better. Buy from GoodWoodMods if you don't want to make them on your own. The first set I made was ok, but the second set I made was spot on. Also, last but not least. I have had the omega pedel now for just over a couple of weeks and that dramatically improved my bass pedal playing. I could do most songs on expert before, but the bass pedal parts would eventually get me on high tier songs. Now I can do every song on expert:)

[jader201]

Thanks for your input.

I'm not totally convinced that it's not my playing, though. I put Wonderwall on practice mod last night after posting this, just to try out rolls on all four pads. All pads except green seem to lose some hits, but it wasn't consistent. For example, I could play for a few seconds really fast and not have one drop. Then, trying again, it would drop quite a few.

I don't know, RMA seems like such a crap shoot. Not only might I get an EL set (which seems to be becoming phased out), who's to say I might get another SL set w/ the same problems.

I would love to add pad mods to mine, but I just can't afford to lose any more sensitivity. I just wish there were more posted experiences w/ SL sets so I could make a more informed decision.

I'll definitely check out those tips though. I actually tried to find some when I bought my sticks a few months back, but they didn't have any.

Regarding the Omega pedal, what does this really improve? Is there less force required for kicks? If so, I may consider it, because the RB pedal wears on me pretty quick, espcially on songs like Maps and Paranoid -- I can make it through them, but not without a burning calf. But at $75, it better make a HUGE difference -- I can't justify that much on something that would show just some improvement. Also, durability isn't a factor for me, because I always play heel down, and ball on the orange line (and besides, if it ever gives out, I'll just RMA it). So this would be solely for performance and to relive my calf.

Thanks again for your reply.

[coolcool23]

From what I've heard the SL ranks between the QM and EL in both categories. Sort of a best of both worlds, even though it's still not really great.

[davidshek]

I would love to add pad mods to mine, but I just can't afford to lose any more sensitivity. I just wish there were more posted experiences w/ SL sets so I could make a more informed decision.

Well, you're thinking about it wrong. The problem isn't that the SL pads aren't sensitive enough. The problem is that they are TOO sensitive. They're so sensitive that anything but the very lightest of hits will cause you to drop hits, and here's why:

When you hit the SL (or QM) pads hard or fast, the sensor doesn't have enough time to return to its resting state before your next hit comes. So the next hit drops, just like you described. This is why really light fast hits will work just fine on those kits, but hard ones will not.

The pads will actually help this situation by absorbing some of the vibration of the initial hit, allowing the sensor to return to its resting state quicker and register your next hit.

[jader201]

When you hit the SL (or QM) pads hard or fast, the sensor doesn't have enough time to return to its resting state before your next hit comes.

Thanks, this actually makes sense and matches what I'm seeing. I'm getting closer to making a decision to buy the dual MCU Durmsoft pads (http://www.rockbanddrumsoft.com/mcudual.html), and based on this, it sounds like this would be a good choice.

I've tried being lighter on my rolls, but I just don't have the technique (yet) to pull off light rolls. Granted, I don't pound them out, but they're definitely not light, and probably yield the results you describe. Plus, it's hard to do light rolls with almost zero rebound. Of course, it sounds like since the pads will absorb some of the impact, I may not be able to pull off light rolls w/ pads.

Anyway, thanks again for the feedback. If/when I get the pads, I'll post my experiences for the benefit of others w/ SL sets.