Improving the Ion Drum Rocker - Fix your Air Pockets/Lumps!

Song: Fire Like This - Hardnox. (Also known as the theme to Me Myself & Irene)

Ion Drum Rocker - Drum heads lumpy? Make your drums better by installing mute pads!

UPDATE 10/15/09:
I recommend spraying some adhesive to the back of the mute pad, and center the metal plate, so the plate is glued to the mute pad. I noticed that after a while, depending on the angles of your drums, the metal plate can slide down a bit. This will solve that problem.

I've been reading that after a few months of playing, drummers have noticed that some drum heads have started to feel lumpy, as if something is coming up inside. I used to be drummer years ago, so the only way I know how to play...is hard. So, I HAVE experienced this problem with the pads. I've taken apart the drums and found out the cause, and made some adjustments. Vic Firth sells "mute pads" which is normally for regular, acoustic drums to dampen the sound. I have removed the thin piece of foam inside each drum head that was bubbling up from poor adhesive, and replaced them with the mute pads.

This has resulted in quieter pads, better rebound and just an overall better feeling when playing. This has no negative effective on sensitivity...in fact it's probably more responsive now. No longer do I have to worry about cheap foam bubbling and coming apart.

1. Removed all bolts from the drum head
2. Removed rim and color ring
3. Removed rubber cover
4. Noticed the problem...thin piece of foam which was glued to a metal plate, using 3 long strips of adhesive. Why didn't they just glue the entire piece of foam? Either way, this most likely would have happened anyway. It just had to go.
5. Cut a circle using a circle cutter that I purchased at a crafts store. You should practice using regular paper on a breadboard to get the hang of it! I started with 7 1/2 inches. You want to make sure the circle fits snug inside the drum rim.
6. Placed newly cut vic firth mute pad circle inside drum rim, on top of the metal plate. Did not apply any adhesive. These pads are very durable and if it's a snug fit, there really isn't any need.
7. Reinstalled the rubber pad, ring, the rim, and the bolts.

Right away you should notice how much better the pads feel with your hand and when using a drum stick. It's stable now, and you don't have to worry about anything coming up anymore. If you don't notice a sound difference...start playing a song and turn the music up. You'll notice now. No more hollow spongy sound.

Quieter, better rebound, feels better and better responsiveness. These things really should last now!

Equipment upgrades:

Roland PDX-8 Snare
2 Green cymbals. One on each side of the set
1 Yellow, Roadie hi-hat
2 Blue cymbals
- 2nd blue is a Pintech 8, which is placed right next to the yellow, to act as an open hi-hat. I originally bought this thinking it would replace my Roadie cymbal as my hi-hat, but I HATED the way it felt. Yes, it was very responsive, but it was louder and had no rebound compared to the Roadie. So unfortunately this became the red-headed stepchild cymbal and became the open hi-hat.

All extra cymbals are plugged into a Y-adapter.

Rock Pedal from www.rockpedal.com. This thing kicks serious ASS. Installed the beater, along with a Gibralter Practice Bass Drum Pad.

Vic Firth Mute Pads purchased at a Sam Ash Music store
http://www.rockpedal.com
http://www.vicfirth.com/products/pads_mutes.html

Special appearance from my cat, Jeter.

Let me know if any of you try this and/or what you think!

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• Ion
• Drum
• Rocker
• Repair
• Mute
• Pads
• Quieter
• Rebound
• Rockband
• Roland
• PDX-8
• Roadie
• Rock
• Pedal
• Adapter

[bu1ckgnx]

I noticed you have a Roland PDX-8 as your snare. Can these just be plugged and played on the Ion Drumrocker?

[yankstaspaz]

@bu1ckgnx Yeah man. It's all plug in play. I have replaced all my cymbals with Toshiba PCY65S and same thing there. Flawless, never a miss...and quiet. I may have to upload a new pic of the drumset as it stands now

[yankstaspaz]

@yankstaspaz Oops I meant Yahama! I think I must have been staring at my Toshiba logo on my laptop when I typed that. Thanks for the correction bu1ckgnx :)

[SeattleStarsify]

Will this kill your pad

[Arithys]

I assume this automatically voids your warranty? lol

[yankstaspaz]

@spontaneousVids7 It's funny how since I've posted this video, similar videos have come out trying to accomplish the same thing, using different items... and once completely ripping my idea off! I can't say anything beats this mod when you're actually using official drum accessories! I laugh when I see these other videos, but hey it is what it is.

[yankstaspaz]

@spontaneousVids7 Yeah, if there was any problem I'd tell you. Had it now for 3 years and it has been exactly the same to this day. These pads are meant for this type of thing, since they're supposed to handle the serious drummer. It has no negative effect on connection. I always felt that the response was better... the pad absorbs everything evenly. It softens the hit and I feel it really protects the connection more. You have nothing to worry about! Best thing I ever did for the set.

[spontaneousVids7]

@yankstaspaz ive tried it on one my pads and i agree completely. I just came across a video with almost an identical to this one and the pads would dixconnect randomly. i just wanted to make sure that wouldnt happen to me. thanks for the help!

[spontaneousVids7]

@yankstaspaz yea your right. i tried this mod on one of my pads and it turned out great i just wanted to make sure it wouldnt break over time before i transformed all of the. thank you!!

[bu1ckgnx]

@yankstaspaz btw, I think you mean Yamaha PCY65S.

[yankstaspaz]

Respond to this video... And it's EXACTLY the same as it was from the day I posted this. My drum set looks considerably different since then since I upgraded all the cymbals. That mute fix was the best investment I made. It protects the electronics under the plate and it always has excellent rebound and never a missed hit.