WHAT'S The BEST PRACTICE PAD?! - How To Choose One! 

Rob you keep impressing me with your expansive knowledge and technique . I sort of had you pegged as a "groove drummer" based on your cool/hip demeanor, but your knowledge and technical skills go very deep. Really enjoy and am getting a lot from your vids. Thank you kind sir.

You are awesome. Love the down-to-earth explanations. A lot of sensible thought process. And you're fun to watch. I have the same Ludwig brand Billy Gladstone hard rubber vacuum pad that I got with my first snare drum. Works great on a table, or on the snare. Also has a small 6" target, though the pad itself is made for 14" snare drums.

I agree with everything you said Rob. I strongly encourage my students to get a good pad to begin with. I usually recommend the Vic Firth or Evans RealFeal pads. I have used both extensively and think they are solid performers. I personally use the Prologix Russ Miller 3 in 1 pad. It has a gum rubber primary surface, a neoprene insert for a bit more resistance, and a thin textured plastic insert for brush work. It is a 13” pad which I prefer because it is the same size as my primary snare drum. I also pair this with an Evans RealFeel bass drum practice pad with an identical Yamaha/Danmar pedal set up as I have on my kit. With this combination, there is no technical exercise I cannot work on whenever I want. To expand on your closing thoughts. I see my pad as a musical instrument in and of itself, so even though I use it to develop my technique I also want to play music with it, the two should not be separate. Keep up the good work Rob.

a basketball on a snare stand pressurized to 7-9 lbs per sq inch. that's what i use...

This is perfect, i was looking for a practice pad. Thank you Rob!!

Exactly what I was looking for - thank you!

Subscribed to your channel a few weeks ago. So much info, and your teachings are fantastic. So glad I found your channel brother! 👍🏼 Looking forward to more.

Super super helpful and loaded with good insight. Thank you for making this video! 🤘😁

Thanks for the vid!! I been wondering what practice pad to buy and I think I know now!

YOU MADE SOME PRETTY GOOD POINTS HER ABOUT THE DRUM PADS. I HAVE A EVANS PAD AND A MOONGEL PAD FOR THE SNARE. UNFORTUNATELY I HAD TO STOP PLAYING FOR LIKE 10 YRS BUT WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PICK IT BACK UP THE MOONGEL REALLY HELPED ME OUT ESPECIALLY WITH STAMINA AND STRENGTH. I COULD REALLY FEEL THE DIFFERENCE AFTER SPENDING LIKE 3-4 HRS A DAY ON THAT PAD THEN GOING TO THE EVANS PAD OR TO THE DRUMKIT. AWESOME VID BRO...KEEP IT UP I AM BECOMING A FAN

One of the better drumming channels in RU-vid. Thanks Rob.

Extremely helpful. Thank you very much!

Another good video, even if i already have 2 practice pads (both are "rubber pads", i don't practice very much, i confess). Your videos help me to improve my English too, i almost understand evrything you say, man, your accent is so "goodsounding" to me...! Tanx...!

I have the Evans RealFeel and I love it. I like a nice, sturdy pad with wood.

I have the gel pad for developing muscle. It has helped my double strokes and overall strength and endurance with long rolls.

In my bag since I was 15 years old I have had a 'pro-mark POCKETPAD' and I'd for sure. Its playing surface is only 2" by 6" and is kinda oblong in shape but because of this I can always have it in my bag or even my stick case and without a doubt it did wonders for my accuracy. I currently have my whole kit set up with mesh heads but that little pad gets used every day.

Another great one... Thanks Rob

I bought the EVANS RealFeel, and its pretty good, as well as easy to carry from one place to another. I highly reccommend it.

I just set up a Dw go anywhere practice kit with all 7” moongel pads, it’s fantastic! I cost me $118 for the 4 pads and $80 for the Dw go anywhere so it was $200 in all but I cannot express to you how good it feels and how quiet it is! I really recommend this setup for anyone it’s worth the investment it’s the best I’ve ever played and I’ve had everything including 3 td-30 kits which is an amazing kit but doesn’t give you the right rebound and feel for real unassisted rebound practice like you’ll find on a real kit. Ps if your technique is good it’s easy to get rebounds from a gel pad

Great video ! Thanks Rob

Thanks so much for this well done video.

Very informative video. Thanks a lot)

Thanks for the insight! I’m a new subscriber!

i got the Evans reelfeel and love it

The best one is the one you use.

I’ve bought and tried quite a few and I always come back to my Evans Real Feel

I just got a marching snare practice pad and a practice bass-drum pad. The reason why I chose those pads well I always a pad that sound like a actual marching snare drum sound. And the practice bass-drum pad I want something to work on foot at the same time so that way whenever I'm ready to get behind on my drums. So those pads I mostly use them to work on my rudiments and marching cadence that brings me back in high school.

I have a lot of pads now if your a set player I recommend realfeal, innovative percussion gum rubber pad, or the vater gym rubber pad... I’m a big set player but I’m also on a drumline so I also recommend xymox(unless you can’t afford it or don’t have enough patiences cuz it took me 7 months to get mine) or an invader or Vic Firth slim/stock pad

I got the Drumeo Silent pad and also a Stagg cheapy Pad which had bad reviews ( which genuinely has no problems at all. ) and I use them both equally.

I use a Vic Firth digital camp practice pad, and it’s amazing

Offworld BYOSPHERE with the snare insert. Newest product from a great company producing quality products at a fair price with great customer service. Ordering mine soon.

Thank you Rob!

Rob I love you man!

You sound good on practise pad You sound great on drums. Great advice and very useful video Thank you

Thank you so much. Great video with practical advice. But do you advise practicing with the practice pad placed on top of your actual snare, get a specific stand for the practice pad or place pad on something else? I’ve seen some sold with a stand. Again, thanks

THANK YOU! I'm starting from scratch and finding a beginner pad/kit is so confusing

Thanks for this video. What do you think about the ZILDJIAN reflexx?

Thanks rob

Thanks sooo much again

Hey Rob, which one would you recommend out of these two - Vic Firth 12D or Evans RealFeel practice pad?

I was considering making my own Outta wood or something. Original practice pad was a 5 gallon bucket

I like the remo rubber pad & the moon gel pad for working on strength & muscling out notes more. It’s like playing on a slack floor tom.

what would you recommend for advanced drummers or percussionists? I know lots of percussionist who practice with very heavy sticks and this Remo practice pads that give close to zero rebound and I would like to know your thoughts on that... is that a good setup to do gymnastics on the pad?

Rob, I'm having a problem. My Vater 12" pad, (after using it for two years) has created a bubble. I don't know how to get rid of it. Any advice?

THANK YOU

Does it make sense to mimick a gel pad to some extent by adding one or several layers of a thick towel - thus reducing the bounce also (also making it quieter for night / late evening practice)?

Great advice, as usual Rob! However, I'm sorry to say there was one error at about 7:45 mins. You made a common mistake which often confuses beginner drummers so I think it's worth mentioning. You said, "... an even harder black surface to help you work a little bit harder...". However, I think you made a slip of the tongue because, as you know, the harder the surface is then the easier it is to play due to there being more bounce. So the advice should have been, "an even SOFTER black surface to help you work a lttle bit harder". As you rightly said, the gel pads are the softest of all and that is why sticks don't bounce and why it is harder to play on them - like it is on pillows too. I've noticed even some drum pad makers don't make this clear. For example, Prologix has four grades of practice pads going from green, the hardest rubber which has most bounce so is easiest to play, through red then blue to black, which is the softest rubber with least bounce and hardest to play. Prologix describes these four grades as increasing in "resistance", with the black being called the "Extreme Resistance" pad. Since resistance is not usually associated with softness then I think that could confuse some people too. So the general rule for practice pads is this: The harder the pad, the easier to play; the softer the pad, the harder to play. I hope you don't mind me mentioning and clarifying this for the benefit of others. Anyway, thanks a million, Rob, for sharing your excellent videos!

Could you tell me the name of that Vic Firth rubber practice pad? ^^

Where did you get the large moon gel practice One?

what is the name of the blue practice pad? i have been looking on line and i cant find it.

Great info. I'm looking into learning to play and want to start out right. Is there any specific sticks you should learn with?

Prologix feel the best to me and having the rim allows you to practise utilising rimshots.

Good video bro

Might sound dumb but do I have to worry about the snare skin stretching if my practice pad is a bit heavy?

Rob...important to highlight while discussing PADS would be to also discuss the TYPE of stick to use while practicing. Different sticks for different applications on the Pad. Yes ? Thanks.

What is the white vic firth pad called? Its not on their site or amazon? It sounds really quiet and better than the other vf pads. Thank you!

Which one, offworld percussion gum rubber or the regular???

Rob, how do I make my Bass drum sound better? I have a Tama vintage imperial star. I have adjusted the lugs a few times and it just sounds like crap. It's not even as low as my floor Tom. I would consider changing my heads but was hoping to find a fix. What do you think?

Haya Rob what about practice for whole kit? Pads

Thank you,for your drum pads lessons.wonderful.💡🤪🎊🤑🌟😁💡

Personally I love the reflexx pad. The workout side is great, it has a fairly decent sound and makes you work for your diddles and flams. The only down side is you can’t really do buzzes that well

The beach metaphor was peak

Do you ever work with marching band drumlines?

You didn’t mention the THIRD reason to use practice pads lol. For to keep quiet whilst practicing in apartments/condos. Anyways. Rob. You are my brother man. Thanks for creating this killer channel.

What is that snare drum?

Hi rob love this video do you think that gel pads are good for building fast chops or do you have another technique for that

Rob, have you done a video on playing a sample pad? It would be nice to hear your inclusion of one with your acoustic set.

Is that scottish grip?

Hey Rob. Where i can buy exactly this pad Vic Firth???? Is defferent what i can buy, but not like your. Thanks from Poland

Another great video Rob, thanks again. Anyway, what would you recommend for practicing Ghosting? I'm still trying to build up my traditional grip ghosting whenever I can.

Have you ever tried the drumeo practice pad? 3 teirs and 4 different materials intended to mimic a drumsets different textures

I dont play drums, never have, but I do want a practice pad to learn rudements well ^^. EDIT; rudiments

thank

Rob, Why do I have such a hard time transferring my pad work (Real Feel, Sabian Quiet Tone, Yamaha, Moon Gel, etc.) to the actual drum set? I can roll out some fine doubles on the pads, but when I get behind the kit they are lame at best ... How do I fix this?

Is there a way to "combine" a gel-pad with bass drum practice?

Reflexx pad worth the money and wait?

God who remembers pre internet drumming. Pay out the nose for drumming info

What is that snare?

Ahead practice pad is good.

OffWorld Invader V3 check em out

accenting the second hit on the double... something I will NEVER be able to to do lol. My brain just won't do it.

If all world governments dedicated themselves, to the arts including music, dance, sculpture, painting, and so on w`d have a better world, since people who play, sing, dance, and paint, are happier and more productive,which would lead to general sustained, and sustainable development BLESSINGS

Heck I use my mouse pad works great.

I disagree on your points on gel pads. It doesn't make much sense to use super bouncy rubber pads unless your entire kit consists of tight snare drums. Get good on a rubber pad and you will still suck on the toms and low tuned snares. Get a gel pad and you will become fast and consistent on the entire kit. This is also why so many "old greats'" mantras go along the lines of "if you can play it on a pillow, you can play it on anything".

The best practice surface I use for building muscle is a pillow.

And the 3rd unmentioned reason for a practice pad is noise!! Not everyone is able to keep a kit at home!!

can anyone tell me the practice pad he was holding up at 7:30 please

The REMO's are pointless. Too loud. Mesh feels nothing like a drum. "No bounce" pads are also worthless because you can practice on a book wrapped in a towel. A good bouncy pad doesn't "help" -- it points out your articulation. Get a good gum rubber. I like the Vic Firth stockpad. The Gretch is good too.

Have you ever marched before?

Mucho hablar poco hacer.

PILLOWS = Best Pads .. Simple Torture But The Best ...

At first I hated the invader