How to hook up a Roland KD-8 to the Ion Drum Rocker (with Kickbox)

[nerdmurderer]

Hey david, I was wondering if this would work with a normal electric drum kit (Alesis dm6) and whether it could handle really fast double bass like 250bpm, also ive heard complaints that it doesnt pick up double bass because the sensor is in the middle.

[davidshek]

@nerdmurderer The KD-8 picks up double bass just fine, I demonstrate that in one of my other videos. As for using it with a DM6, no idea, I've never tried it.

[ProfessorButtcheeks]

does this work for the rock band stock drums

[davidshek]

@ProfessorButtcheeks Yup, sure does

[ProfessorButtcheeks]

@davidshek

i plugged a mono cable wired to a piezo sensor into the bass drum slot for the rock band 2 stock drums and it detects it, but it registers like 1 out 5 hits

is the kickbox supposed to make the signal more sensitive because the piezo works perfect on my ghwt kit

i guess the rock band 2 stock drums werent programmed sensitive enough for piezos in the bass drum because they are supposed to use the gay magnet pedals

[davidshek]

@ProfessorButtcheeks It's got nothing to do with sensitivity, but the type of signal that a piezo sends vs. a magnet switch.  If you want a more detailed explanation, PM me. :)

[cadeharveyt]

are u on ebay coz i think i bidded for ur gibraltar doub kik

[davidshek]

@cadeharveyt I am, but I have not sold any Gibraltar pedals on there.

[yewwtube]

hey mate what program do you use to play these elctric drum on the computer? ive looked everywhere!

[davidshek]

I'm not playing them on the computer, I'm playing them on the Xbox...and the "program" is called: Rock Band 2. :-P

[bassiks]

@yewwtube Is there not a program called midihero or something that lets you play drums? Either that of you could probably use music software like Reason or Fruityloops and set it up as a midi controller, I'm not sure though.

[madcowga]

current version looks a tad different: black box, flatter and less chunky than this. Working great so far though! Very happy and thanks to Shek for his advice in RB forums!

[BlakeTorres101]

can you do a tour of yur real drum kit

[memoochoawannabe]

one quick question, ima get the yamaha kp65 and i just want to know if it can handle and register double pedal cuz thats why i want to get. please respond. thanx. ill be using it on my stock drums cuz i dont own ions

[davidshek]

Yes it can, just fine.

[Xxphilliesphan17xX]

im guessing you get the light flashing kick box thing at radio shack too.

[davidshek]

Nope. Link is in the video info.

[xlGuitarHerolx]

where do you get the 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch adaptor?

[davidshek]

Radio Shack.

[Greennaxx123]

@davidshek . thank you :D i have just ordered the Roland td 4 drum kit. :) so i wanted to know, i was not sure ^^

[Greennaxx123]

@davidshek do i need the kickbox even if i have a drumkit (with module)?

[davidshek]

No, the Kickbox is only if you're using a KD-8 with the Ion Drum Rocker or RB stock drums.

[davidshek]

Check out the Pearl P900. It's a great pedal and only like $60.

[wendepic]

can i put kp65 without kickbox to ions

[davidshek]

No, you can't.

[BlakeTorres101]

is this thing worth waiting a year for

and how mouch werer your pedals

[davidshek]

Why would you have to wait a year for it? And I got these pedals years and years and years ago...I think they go for like $250 now. Yamaha DFP-8215.

[BlakeTorres101]

@davidshek nevermind

[D0IS3N]

I'm looking to trading in my Hart Acupad for a Roland KD-8. It seems that the Kickbox is either reading too many notes, or not reading at all. Which is rather annoying when I'm trying to play a fast double bass pattern, or even doing quads.

Did you find any problems with the Roland kick trigger when either playing solo or on Rock Band?

Thanks!

[davidshek]

Nope, I haven't had a single problem with mine.

[D0IS3N]

Thanks!

I'm probably gonna pick one up within the next week.

So no over-hits or dropped notes?

[davidshek]

Not that I've ever noticed. But make sure you watch my video comparing the Roland KD-8 to the Yamaha KP65 before you buy anything. :)

[ArmsLikePistonz]

buy a twin rocker and use that as a kickbox, its flawless and its only 25$

[davidshek]

"flawless" is a bit of a stretch. It's not flawless.

[cubbyblue911]

i am not sure about this but from watching a video, i heard that you can you a kick trigger without a kickbox with the twin rocker splitter. is this true. i dont think it is but i thought i should ask you

[D0IS3N]

I've tried it with my kick trigger, but I have the Hart Acupad & it was either too sensitive, or it wasn't reading at all. So I found that I needed the Kickbox.

[chocopop12]

lol the Whole Thing Moves In one piece *Snap*...2 pieces

[Rob801]

Great video! It's just what I've been looking for!

I think it might have been mentioned in another comment but there shouldn't be any problem using the same set up for a GHWT set should there?

The crappy pedal that came with the set is the only thing keeping me from playing the drums in the game :-( .

How do you like your Yamaha pedal? I have a DW5002 but am not very happy with it...

[davidshek]

It's even easier with the GHWT drums set, you don't need the Kickbox. Just plug the kick trigger straight in. I love my Yamaha pedal, had it for years. :)

[BeastOfMyOwn]

You play real drums? I do and my name is David too and I'm getting that bass drum

[davidshek]

Yes I do

[Orakk]

Thanks David for this video. I am ordering the Kickbox ASAP.

[mitch5655]

If im connecting the KickBox to the Ion Drum Brain can I use the chord that came with the Ion Pedal?

[davidshek]

Yeah you can. I couldn't because I have an older Kickbox with a 1/8" output.

[NoobsNoodle]

Can I do this with the Gibraltar practice pad?

[davidshek]

If your practice pad has a piezo sensor in it, sure. But just the pad itself? No, that's just a big piece of rubber and foam attached to a stand.

[rockerforlife222]

do you have too have the kick box to use the KD-8

[davidshek]

Yes

[mitch5655]

can you keep your foot down on the pedal in between each hit ?

[davidshek]

Yes, watch any of my RB videos and you'll see that.

[bladelazoe]

when you go really fast on the KD-8 does the game pick up fast hits?? cuz iv heard that the rockband kckbox drop notes like on WAHNTHAC those really fast double parts.

[davidshek]

The Kickbox will pick up anything I can throw at it.

[runelink2]

Can i buy it in Europe? (the Netherlands)

[runelink2]

The kickbox?

[davidshek]

I don't see why not. I'm pretty sure he ships internationally.

[DLH8DeMoN]

After plugging in all this stuff, kickbox etc... Where do i put the wire that connects all this up in my rockband 1 kit?

[davidshek]

In the orange kick drum jack, just like I show in this video. Same place you'd plug in a regular rock band pedal.

[DLH8DeMoN]

Ok, thankyou for replying.

[McDonough22]

Would this setup work with any electronic drum pad, or does it have to be Roland? More specifically, I have the ION upgrade kit with the Roadie kick pedal (the actual pedal + pad, not the stock ION pedal) and I wonder if I could use that one for Rock Band if I had the kick box... And similarly, if I buy a random kick pedal for any electronic drum set in a music store, is it going to be compatible?

[davidshek]

Yes, it will work for the DD-502 kick pad that comes with the Ion Upgrade kit. The Kickbox will work with any electronic kick trigger pad.

[xxTheProfessor]

So how much does the KickBox and the KD-8 cost all together with shipping and whatnot. Because my birthdays coming up and I already have double bass from my real drums.

[davidshek]

Kickbox is $65 + shipping. KD-8 is $135. But you can also use a Yamaha KP-65 instead of a KD-8, which is like 60 bucks.

[xxTheProfessor]

Have you ever used the Yamaha KP-65? And does it set up the same way with the Yamaha kick pad?

[davidshek]

I have and it sets up exactly the same was as the KD-8. As I posted a few days ago, I'll be posting a video comparing the KD-8 to the KP65 soon, just haven't gotten around to it yet.

[xxTheProfessor]

Ohh, please do a video as soon as you can because your videos help me a lot. I appreciate it.

[ohmeyou]

how much does roland kd-8 cost?

[davidshek]

Around $135 new.

[ohmeyou]

is there another way i can get double bass for the ions besides this way

[manb3arpig77]

So the Yamaha KP65 trigger will work for this on the rock band 2 stock kit with double bass and whatnot?

[davidshek]

Yep, I'll be posting a video about the KP65 hopefully this weekend.

[manb3arpig77]

kk you wouldnt happen to have an extra kick trigger laying around do you lol jk but im only 13 and have no way of making money to pay for all this

[bjapan96]

y do u have one pedal with 2 beaters on it?

[davidshek]

It's a double pedal, I just don't have the 2nd pedal hooked up to it during this video.

[Jacko83621]

sorry 2 ask but how much does the Yamaha Flying Dragon double pedal cost? cos im gonna get it soon but not sure on the price.

[davidshek]

Flying Dragons cost around $350

[debold27]

sucks 4 me bc i cannot order this or a cheaper alternative to the whole process the destroyer pedal bc i m not old enough to own a credit card

[debold27]

disregard last question. do i need a kick box for a ion roland kd-8 setup? is there anywhere else i could buy one bsides link provided. is there an alternative as well?

[davidshek]

Dude...did you even watch the video? Yes of course you need a Kickbox for an Ion/KD-8 setup. That's what this whole video is about!

And no, there is nowhere else you can buy a Kickbox, just like I replied to your last comment.

[debold27]

nvm previous question. besides that link where else can i ge that kick box. if nowhere else where can i find another trigger?

[davidshek]

Nowhere else. You can only buy the Kickbox from that site.  As for other triggers, you can also use the Yamaha KP65, which is about half the cost of a KD-8.

[debold27]

directly buying a new kd-8 do u need any accesoriy peices other than whats it the box to hook it up 2 ion?

[debold27]

can u use the kickbox with the destroyer pedal?

[davidshek]

You don't need a Kickbox with the destroyer pedal.  It works already.

[warblonde]

hey david, how much does a KD-8 cost? i cant find it on the site

[davidshek]

Usually around $135.  You can find them on Musician's Friend and other such music retail websites.

[warblonde]

oh, and a kick box is around $100 too, so thats $200 without double bass, luckily i already have one haha.

[davidshek]

Nah, Kickbox is only $65. But you can also use a different kick trigger, like a Yamaha KP65. Those are only $60.

[majkicCFC]

do u need a kick box for GH?

[davidshek]

The need for a kickbox depends on your hardware, not what game you're playing.

[BlakeTorres101]

ninger

[Th3Kuzinator]

thanks for this! could not find a video specifically telling me which ports were on the kickbox so now I know what I need. Cheers!

[shav12]

if u hold one pedal down does it still register the other pedal hit?

[davidshek]

Of course. This is a real impact trigger with a piezo, not some silly magnetic reed switch like the RB stock pedal. :)

[shav12]

can you tell me the best way to get double bass on my ion drum rocker? you seem really good with this kind of stuff

[warblonde]

It seems like the kick box is the only real way to get double bass.

[Neif3l]

Gah, ok...

[Neif3l]

Hello. I'm just wondering if you can get the kickbox from a common music store where they sell electronic drums, pianos, guitars and stuff like that?

I just bought the Roland KD-8 and the Pearl P-120 1 day ago to use as a bass pedal on my Ion's, but I didn't know that you had to have a kickbox to get it working.

[davidshek]

No you cannot. The ONLY place the Kickbox is available is from their website, and the link is in the video description. This is not a commercially-available mass produced box. It's made by 1 guy.

[kknyrass]

can you use the KD-8 without a kick box?

[davidshek]

No...if you could, why the hell would anybody buy a Kickbox? :)

[nateislegend]

Hey don't talk like that to kknyrass!! lol

[Th3Overseer]

Thanks for the video. I hope to add a kd8 to use with my Rock Pedal (got the RP with a Gibraltar practice pad right now), though not for a which since I just spent $175 on a Roland PDX-8 :).

Couple questions though:

1) How is the rebound, especially when it comes to bass-heavy songs (i.e. Clouds Over Cali.)?

2)Is the sensitivity/accuracy of the KD8 a lot better than the magnetic reed switch that RB kits use (enough to justify getting the KD8, assuming I am looking for accuracy)?

[davidshek]

Accuracy is precisely the reason I upgraded from a switch pedal/practice pad to the KD-8. PM me and I'll give you a more detailed explanation if you want.

[SkaBoss55]

Can you use the kickbox on the RB2 set? Or is it only for the ION with the controller option attached?

[davidshek]

Please read the video description.

[faintingsheep]

cat

[rename159]

where did you get the kick box and the transfer thing?

[davidshek]

The link for the Kickbox is in the video info. Not sure what "transfer thing" you're talking about.

[rename159]

nvm

[warblonde]

Hey David, can the Kickbox support Double bass?

[LAMF2939SH]

yes

[davidshek]

yes it can, no problem at all

[DaDruminator]

what happens if i plug it in my ions without the kick box, i mean it works fine if i plug in the ion drum pads to the bass port on the drum brain.

[davidshek]

What happens is that it won't work reliably. Sure, a hard hit might register in the game, but most will not. That's what the kickbox is for, translating ALL of the hits into something the Ion controller will recognize, not just the hard ones.

[MattyDD1982]

hey dave love the vids! im in Australia and having trouble finding a kick box online. whats another name or model i can quote??

[davidshek]

There is no other name or model. The Kickbox is the only one made, unless you want to try to make one yourself. The link for the Kickbox store is in the video description.

[gumsolz]

what type of kickbox is that ???

[cuppatea12]

is this compatable with any electric drum kit? mine is an arbiter electric kit.

[H20RockBandSH]

ok so do i need this kick trigger at all?

[davidshek]

I don't think I understand what you're asking...Can you be a little clearer about what components you actually own, and what you're trying to do with them? Might be easier if you PM me.

[H20RockBandSH]

so you dont need a offical electronic drum pedal? can you just use a real pedal cause i have a double bass and a rocker kick box. can i use that for my drum brain? all i need is that you can use a real bass on any kick box. thanks

[davidshek]

If you have that Kickbox, you can use any electronic kick trigger pad.

[brushedred4]

do you need the one stereo and one mno cable or will it work with two of the same?

[davidshek]

The kickbox->ion connection can probably use a stereo cable, but you don't want to use a mono from KD-8->Kickbox. So both stereo will probably work, but not both mono.

[brushedred4]

thanks alot

i just ordered my kickbox so hopefully i get it on tuesday

[GuitarMage69]

Hey, i'm thinking of getting a kick trigger, but i need to know how much noise it makes. I'm moving into an upstairs apartment, and the standard ion pedal vibrates the floor like crazy. Is this mod quiet on the floor? (don't care how much sound comes from the pad itself).

[davidshek]

Honestly, I couldn't say. I don't live in an apartment, so I have no idea how much noise it would make through the floor.

[GuitarMage69]

Yes, but when u put ur foot down hard, do u here a loud "thud"; from the pedal hitting the floor, or just the sound of the beaters hitting the pad?

[davidshek]

I only hear the sound of the beater hitting the pad. The pedal never hits the floor...it can't bottom out because the beater hits the pad before it gets there.

[GuitarMage69]

perfect, exactly what i wanted to hear. Thank you.

[SkateKid00009]

no HQ :(

[davidshek]

Yeah Youtube was being stupid when I uploaded this. You can still get HQ by adding &fmt=18 to the URL even though there's no HQ button.

[azrael7718]

This is awesome! How much is the whole set up gonna set me back? Since the set up can handle a slave set up, that means you only need one trigger, right?

~BB~

[davidshek]

One trigger, yep . The KD-8 costs around $135 new, the Kickbox is $65, and pedals can be anywhere from $150 up to $500 depending on what you get.

[woozerkristen2]

Thanks for doing this video! Looking forward to getting a setup like this. :)

[kakabli31]

nice video and The cat is awsomexD

[xxth3fr0gxx]

what kind of beaters you use on youre roland ? ... ive heard felt can wear it faster ? is that true ?

[davidshek]

I use Tama CB90F Felt Cobra Bass Drum Beaters. What you heard is incorrect. Rubber/plastic beaters will wear it faster, not felt.

[cardshark87]

i just got one! i use the ghwt drum set

[sdgamerz]

can this work with rock band 1 drums

[davidshek]

Please read the video description.

[revoevo013]

how much is the kd 8? casue i wanna get that and then the ion drums so itll look sweet

[davidshek]

$115 if you buy it new. Cheaper if you find it on Ebay.

[revoevo013]

thx man have fun with that

[holabano]

my kickbox is the new one. it's orange :P

[stud6543]

I was looking into this option but i made my own bass pedal yesterday and it works great so ill stick with that

[TheSumOfX]

Very cool :D

[MarkMadnessSH]

The blue light must go crazy when you play ATR haha.

[givemethelotion]

why does the the ion need an on off signal?

[davidshek]

For the same reason the RB drum kit does: because it does. That's how it's made.

[benzuz]

it would make things just soo simple if you could just plug any old bass trigger in