Ion Drum Rocker and Roland PDX-8: How-to video

[MsIpwnNOOBS]

i have some reoccurring problems with my ions. When i'm playing it will randomly say re-connect controller and i will have done nothing to them. another problem is when i'm playing it will just randomly count a note on the drums when i haven't hit that note. these are very problematic as they usually reset my multiplier and gain me a score much lower than what i should have got.

If anyone knows what is wrong with them please let me know cause i really have no idea why it would do such a thing.

[davidshek]

@MsIpwnNOOBS Most common cause of both those issues is static

[drew700boo]

@MsIpwnNOOBS the same thing happens to me and it deffinately caused by static

[indemaTROY]

Is there a Single Zone version of the PDX-8 that is cheaper?

[TheMummy516]

@davidshek I just looked up the price of 1 mech pad. It's $219!! That's more than an ION drum core rocker set! Your right when you say it isn't cheap to replace a pad. I need a job!

[johnbambammorgan]

Hi, So that roland PDX-8 works just fine plugging a Mono 1/4 Plug into it? I'm not concerned about the Rim sound, just the center.

[davidshek]

@johnbambammorgan Yep, you can see that in any of my other RB videos

[kyuubimaster1]

@davidshek is it possible to replace all the pads with roland pads? if so would u think tht would be a good idea? one last thing if i can replace them all with roland pads could i use any one or does it have to be a Roland PDX-8?

[davidshek]

@kyuubimaster1 Sure you could if you wanted to, just wouldn't be cheap.

[theoriginalJASONXYZ]

cool, that was easy!

[ViolentxStrike]

@davidshek Also what is the size of the Roland pad?. . is it a 10 inch?

[davidshek]

@ViolentxStrike Technically no, it's 8".

[ViolentxStrike]

@davidshek Thanks for the info man that helped me alot.

[ViolentxStrike]

@davidshek Hey man i was wondering i wanna buy the pintech tc series cymbals for my ion drum rocker, but i don't want to spend over 200 bucks for the complete package i.e cables, cymbal arm and clamp etc. My question was will the pintech cymbals attach to the original ion kit components, as i really don't want to spend an extra 100 bucks on cymbal arms and clamps which i already have. The three pack cymbals to buy are $132 and the complete package (with components) $248. Big difference lol

[davidshek]

@ViolentxStrike Yes they will, but you'll have to get some cymbal sleeves and felts. You can pick up a 4-pack of each for like 5 bucks at any music store.

[BlueTiger368]

those screw are called wing bolts dont you know the diffrence

[TheRockinQ]

if I connect a yamaha dtxpress module to my drum rocker, will I be able to use it as a standalone drum kit?

[davidshek]

@TheRockinQ yes

[KrazyApey]

what would be a good hi hat cymbal for the ions?

thanks!

[davidshek]

@KrazyApey See my video on the Pintech 10" TC cymbal.

[XRedemption14]

my stock RB kits red and yellow pad is cracked and wont work can i replace them?

[UncleManwich]

Well thanks to your video I ended up buying a PDX-8 at Long & McQuade for a lower price than the Concertcast.

It feels very nice, using double strokes is alot easier. The only problem I had is that because it mounts in a vertical position, it tends to wobble alot on the ION frame. All I did was place the actual arm of the frame under the PDX-8 to support it. I also placed a bit of padding so that the arm doesn't ding the pad.

Thanks Mr. Shek!

[UncleManwich]

My blue pad died a few days ago. The thin wire finally gave out. Would you recommend switching my red pad to the blue and getting a PDX-8 as a snare or is there a better bargain?

I see a few on ebay for 120$.

[davidshek]

@UncleManwich Watch my video on the Pintech ConcertCast 8" single-zone pad. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. :)

[UncleManwich]

@davidshek I can't believe you actually replied... Is the concert cast worth the extra money? By the way, moar Wounded Soul on RBN plz...

Cheers.

[davidshek]

@UncleManwich Watch my video on the Pintech ConcertCast 8" single-zone pad. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. :)

[UncleManwich]

@davidshek I live in the middle of nowhere and to my complete surprise a small music shop sells the concert cast 10" for 160$ not to far from here!

Thanks!

[Kerpaltheballer]

nice video! I was considering buying an ion drumrocker core kit for $200. My friend has a yoki dd908 kit that he just doesnt use anymore and is willing to sell it to be for $100. Its a full drumset with 4 pads, hi hat, 2 pedals and 2 cymbals.

I was wondering if i could take off the cymbals from the yoki and put it onto my drumrocker for use with rock band. Also will the drum brain from yoki work fine with the ion pads?

[davidshek]

@Kerpaltheballer Yes to both. :)

[andrela96]

does it work with like yamaha pads to??

[djsettle]

would it connect with just plugging in to ion drum rocker and if yes then what other can plug stright in and what website

[davidshek]

Yes, watch the video, that's exactly what I show here.

[DJordydj]

do these drums work without using Rock Band game?

I mean, can I connect these drums into an amplifier to play it?

[davidshek]

@DJordydj If you buy an e-drum brain and connect them to that, yes. Otherwise, no.

[runelink2]

does it work with the pd6

[davidshek]

Yep, and the PD7 and the PD8 too.

[FeeldahVibe001]

does the ion drum rocker come with the Alesis DM6 Drum Sound Module??

[davidshek]

Nope, the DM6 is sold separately, it's like $200.

[chikoson]

hey man, im kinda curious about this set. Im looking at getting the ion kit with the pro upgrade n stuff just to get me started in learning drums etc. my question is, without playing through the game, like just the drums through the stereo using the output jack, will for example the pdx8 dual trigger work? like for rim shots n stuff cos i no the pad that comes with the kit is only single zone but maybe in the future that'd b handy

[davidshek]

For rim shots and other dual-zone stuff, no. The DD-502 brain does not support dual-zone drum pads.

[MrXAzevedo]

Does this only work with the PDX-8?

[davidshek]

No it works with lots of other e-drum pads too.

[bigfatlee146]

hey man, this may be a retarded question.. so please everyone dont say things like 'you're stupid', but if this is as simple as just hooking it up through the cable.... is it possible to connect a whole electronic kit using the ion drum rocker brain? like would it work the same? if not does anyone know why not?

[davidshek]

For some e-drum pads and cymbals yeah, but not all of them trigger well with the Ion brain.

[bigfatlee146]

really? interesting.... its just i've always wanted to get an ion drum rocker or like a large kit which could be used for etc, coz the standard one i had was just tiny for me haha, and i knew you could use an electronic kit with a ghwt brain, but wondered if it was possible with the ion drain, hmmm....well thanks anyway man, awesome videos and i LOVE you kit setup.

[twillowb]

I'm lucky enough to have a cnc router machine at my fingertips, whenever I want. I made a 12" basket and bought foam and mesh.. I made my own using a radioshack sensor. There is no hotspot. All 12 sense's perfectly. I just need better foam. So, I'm getting some from foam factory. For rebound and feel. So, it cost me about 50 total to make this. If this worx good. I will put one on ebay for around $75-125. Depending on total. But if not, I'll just buy a 105. Used on ebay for $100-150. Nice unit.

[KingMKNerd]

Guys, you know, in 2010, the Ion Drum Rocker for the Wii is gonna sell at Gamestop.

OFFICIAL DATE:

Jan 21, 2009

[davidshek]

Gamestop release dates are far from "official". They've pushed the Wii Ion release date back countless times already.

[mtj1111]

Get a Roland PD 105. Actually looks like a snare, and has a 10 inch head instead of 8 like this one.

[davidshek]

Roland PDX-8 = $175 new. Roland PD-105 = $350 new, more than the entire Ion set itself. That's a bit of overkill right there.

[scarymarydied]

dude you are helpful not only through these videos but on the Rock Band forums as well! keep up the good work!

[BeastOfMyOwn]

Do you even play real drums????

[davidshek]

Did you even watch any of my other videos? Or bother to read the video description? Yes, I've been playing for 18 years.

[BeastOrFail12]

the ions are real too

[DLH8DeMoN]

Hey David, do you know any company that sell's pads which create a less of a noise?

[davidshek]

Not really, no. Roland mesh is about the quietest you're going to find.

[HugoBeaumont]

Hey, love the video, so much I ran out and got a PDX-8. But now I am having a problem. It is very quiet compared to the other drums. Did you have sensitivity issues with yours?

[davidshek]

Nope, you can see in some of my other videos when I'm fiddling around before the song starts that my PDX-8 is just as loud as the other Ion drums.

[warblonde]

my ion drums look like they have a huge pocket of air under the mesh, should i change the mesh to a roland one or buy a roland pad? all my pads seem to be like that,

[davidshek]

Remove the rubber drumhead on the Ion pad, and you'll see a layer of foam underneath. That foam is probably ripped or warped, causing what you're seeing. Take out the foam and replace it with any 8" drum mute (like Vic Firth).

[xxTheProfessor]

I mean Is there any other brand that makes it for cheaper?

[davidshek]

Not that I'm aware of. Even a comparable Pintech pad costs $185, and the PDX-8 is only $175.

[craftyhack]

ANother option is modding your Ion pads with Roland MH-8 mesh pads. I just did this last weekend, and the feel is almost identical to what I was used to with the TD-12 (see my YT vid on that). COst me about $125 to do all 4 pads all in for the pads and materials. Search rockband forums for Ion Mesh Head Mod, you can find the thread with instructions and my post on that thread give my tweaks and experience. I plan on posting a YT using my modded Ion kit one of these days as well...

[xxTheProfessor]

Is there any cheaper versions that work the same way? If so can you please link me, Thanks.

[davidshek]

Cheaper versions of what? The PDX-8 is the cheapest mesh pad that Roland makes.

[rbawsome]

Hey David, you should giveaway your green pad and switch it with another roland, it looks more cooler, so u have 2 ion pads and 2 roland PDX-8

[rbawsome]

hey david could u sell the red ion pads?

[davidshek]

I've already given my red Ion pad to a friend of mine.

[xMasterQ]

Is it worth it to buy one of those? Like can REALLY tell how improved it is?

[davidshek]

Well I already owned the PDX-8, so I dunno. I can tell how improved it is because I've been playing e-drums for years. Your preference may vary :)

[CALIENTExPRODUCTIONS]

my cymbals are brass o yeah cuz i have a real drum set

[davidshek]

So do I, smart guy. It's even in many of my videos.

[Bumpy70]

hummm, most ppl who play this game hve brass symbals bellend. and wots wrong with e-drums? there for ppl who dont wanna make alot of noise.

[rbawsome]

hey how come the ion drum cymbal is different?

[davidshek]

which one, my hi-hat? Because it's not an Ion cymbal. It's a Pintech 10" TC

[WWEELVIS]

Can you get the open high hat sound on the Ion Drum Rocker for freestyle mode?

[davidshek]

nope

[thatasiankid118]

could i do this with any other roland pad? cause i never really liked mesh heads. personal opinion

[McGuinty1]

If you're concerned about noise, the PD-105 or 125 are a little lower pitched and less intrusive with their head noise, but a lot more money. Plus one might not easily fit on the ION kit. The PDX8 looks big on there and the 105 is 2 inches bigger than that.

[RockBandDrummer4life]

hey david where can you get the pdx 8 is there a web site?

[davidshek]

Lots of websites. Musician's Friend, Sam Ash, Guitar Center, Zzounds. Just google it.

[MMAaddict101]

ok first off thanks David for all youre clips, i've been a subscriber for some time now and am in the process of upgrading my kit according to some of you're vids. I just wanted to give a heads up to all those who were considering on buying the PDX-8 and who to eventually converte the ion into a stand alone drum set with the alesis DM5 sound module. DM5 won't support dual zone features at all. Just a small downside i thought peeps would want to know.

[McGuinty1]

If you absolutely positively had to have dual zone triggering, you could opt for the Roland TD-4 module instead. It's a little more money. Although for the cost of upgrading an ION you might as well go for a TD-4K if you're serious about getting into drumming. Me, I ponied up 3 grand for the TD-9KX with all mesh toms after buying cymbals and a decent kick for my stock RB2 kit. I couldn't justify the ION for Rock Band and I knew I wouldn't be happy with it as a standalone kit.

[gumsolz]

if you replace the ion pads with roland pads does the roland pads work for rockband ? how much was the PDX?

[davidshek]

Yep, watch any of my other videos and you'll see it works just fine in RB. PDX-8 costs around $175 new.

[gumsolz]

does it still work without the brain attached and just the game controller?

[davidshek]

Yes, I don't have a brain attached, the PDX-8 plugs straight into my Ion controller.

[jhonrox]

i dunno if u had this problem, but im starting to get minor bubbles on my ion red pad. (nothing big or hard to play with, but it reduces the bounce about a good 10%) and i want to know if theres any other options cuz i dont go to the usa for a few months so i dont know how im gonna get a pdx 8 in brasil...

[davidshek]

I just PM'd you. :)

[kirbzilla]

Was there anything wrong with the red pad?

[davidshek]

Nope, nothing at all wrong with it.

[kirbzilla]

So why did you buy a roland pdx-8? Or did you have one around?

Reasons for replacing? Rebound?

[davidshek]

Because I've owned Roland pads before and I like them better.

[givemethelotion]

yours is sooo much louder than mine

[wtf2112]

Well I just ordered it this from e-bay, just got my Ion yesterday, good times!

[givemethelotion]

also, sorry, did you get the 10 or 8 inch?

[davidshek]

The PDX-8 only comes in one size :)

[givemethelotion]

i've found 8" and 10" ones for sale....the one size you've got, is it 10 or 8"?

[davidshek]

It only comes in one size. It's 10" total, but the mesh part is 8". So you probably found websites that describe it both ways, but trust me, they're all the same size.

[givemethelotion]

i tell ya, your knowledge of this kinda stuff is amazing

[givemethelotion]

lolz baerf00t at 1.28

[zatch1156]

How is noise produced from the Roland pad? I mean, the goodwood mods make almost no noise, yet these seem louder. Oh and does your pad lose sensitivity when played with the ion brain?

[davidshek]

It's slightly louder than the Goodwoods, yes. And no, it loses no sensitivity whatsoever.

[toobrafter]

Does the plastic rim stick up above the Roland pad? It looks like it does and it would cause me to whack the stick on it a lot.

[davidshek]

The black rim?  It's not plastic. It's rubber, and it doesn't stick up any more than the rim on a real drum.

[leadhead187]

what did you do to hook up your foot pedal. I want a real one like yours on my ion kit.

[davidshek]

I use a Roland KD-8 kick trigger pad with a Kickbox to make it work in Rock Band.

[givemethelotion]

how much is the cheapest you can get them?

[davidshek]

Brand new they cost $175 no matter where you get them. But Ebay is cheaper.

[benzuz]

theyre significantly cheaper in the US, but then the postage cost makes up for it.

thanks

[davidshek]

They still cost $175 even in the US. Look at Musician's Friend, Sweetwater, Zzounds, etc. $175 at all of them.

[benzuz]

no, i mean if i bought one here in the UK, it will set me back about £125, whereas if i bought from the US, it would only cost me about £80.

[LedZep2000]

cool.. only question I have is did you do this handle the rolls that appear on the red notes better, or what?

[davidshek]

Nope, my Ion red pad handled that just fine. I did this because I like the feel of it better.

[FuelRocker795]

Much Appreciated!

[yur0wnstupidity]

I wish I had the Roland kit to do this with. :/