Online Users Guide
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
AIR CYLINDER VS. SPRINGS
AIR PRESSURE GAGE
AIR PUMP
AIR PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
TRUE CENTER, OFF CENTER ADJUSTABLE DRIVE
ADJUSTING BETWEEN TRUE CENTER AND OFF CENTER CAM
SETTINGS
CHAIN/BELT DRIVE INTERCHANGEABILITY
FOOTBOARD ANGLE ADJUSTMENT
BEATER ANGLE
FOOTBOARD SLIP/GRIP
BASS DRUM CLAMP
FINAL COMMENTS
- OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
- Thank you for selecting Airlogic Percussion bass drum pedals. As you most likely know
you have chosen the most innovative and responsive pedal available today. In fact it has
been nearly 100 years since the bass drum pedal has seen true innovation in design. Return
springs have finally given way to a much more natural and responsive air technology. This
air force coupled with the many other unique features make the Airlogic pedal the most
advanced and technologically superior pedal on the market. We have taken great pride and
care in developing and building each pedal. Every Airlogic pedal is machined from aircraft
grade aluminum, you will not find any die cast components on an Airlogic pedal. We also
use the finest bearings, hardware, and other proprietary materials we have developed that
add to the overall quality of design and manufacture. To get the most out of your Airlogic
pedal, please take some time to review these operating instructions that explain its
unique features along with their care and maintenance. Thanks again for choosing Airlogic
Percussion, if you ever have any questions regarding anything about our pedals please call
us Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM Eastern Standard time at (440)
888-8813 or fax us anytime at (440) 888-8031.
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- AIR CYLINDER VS. SPRINGS
 Your Airlogic
bass drum pedal does not make use of springs, either expansion, or compression to provide
the return force. Airlogic is the only pedal that utilizes compressed air to provide the
return action. Springs have a property known as a spring constant that produces a straight
line on a graph when spring return force is plotted as a function of beater displacement.
No matter what spring you use this will always produce a linear graph or straight line.
The air cylinder on the Airlogic pedal makes use of compressed air which produces a
pneumatic force to return the beater. When this pneumatic force is plotted as a function
of beater displacement a graph that is hyperbolic or nonlinear results. This graph
illustrates the fact that less force is required at the beginning of the stroke and
ramps-up exponentially as the beater approaches the bass drum. This difference provides a
pedal that is faster than a spring pedal and at the same time much more controllable.
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- AIR PRESSURE GAGE
- The air cylinder, located on the right upright, is equipped with an air pressure gage
that is calibrated in pounds per square inch (PSI). This gage measures the amount of air
pressure or return force in the cylinder to provide the beater return. The gage will
increase approximately 10 to 20 PSI when the footboard is depressed from the starting or
neutral position to the position where the beater makes contact with the bass drum head.
The pedal can be played at almost any pressure setting, however, 40 to 60 PSI is the
pressure range most commonly used. The greater the pressure is in the neutral position,
the greater the return force.
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- AIR PUMP
- An air pump can be found at the bottom of the air cylinder. The pump introduces air into
the cylinder by manually moving the pump ball handle. This pump is used when more return
force is desired. Increasing the air pressure is equivalent to tightening a spring on a
conventional. The motion required to pump is a two step process, first push the pump
handle all the way up until it stops, then pull the pump handle all the way down until it
stops. Each pump cycle (all the way up, all the way down) will increase the reading on the
pressure gage by 1 to 1.5 PSI. Do not exceed 80 PSI on the gage in the neutral position.
This 80 PSI will increase to approximately 100 PSI when the pedal is played and the beater
contacts the bass drum. Should you ever experience a problem where you cannot reach 80 PSI
on the gage, place 1 or 2 drops of "3 in 1" type oil in the breather hole
located on the side of the air cylinder near the bottom of the cylinder. The pump can be
readily actuated with the pedal mounted to the bass drum. In the case where the pump is
not properly charging the cylinder, add 1 to 2 drops of "3 in 1" type oil to the
pressure relief ball. Allow the oil to work into the valve to improve seating capability.
This will permit an airtight cylinder which can now be charged with the pump.
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- AIR PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
- Air pressure can be released from the air cylinder by depressing the rubber ball in the
relief valve located directly below the gage. Depress this rubber ball using your finger
or drum stick. It is possible to feather small amounts of air pressure out of the cylinder
using this valve. If you let too much air out simply use the pump to increase the pressure
until you get the desired setting. Another advantage of the air cylinder over a spring is
that it provides the drummer with the ability to quantify the return force he is using.
This provides the drummer with the ability to get the same feel regardless of temperature
changes or spring fatigue that are inherent in spring pedals. Periodically, or when the
relief valve is not sealing completely, add 1 to 2 drops of "3 in 1" type oil to
the pressure relief ball. Allow the oil to work into the valve to improve seating
capability.
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- TRUE CENTER, OFF CENTER ADJUSTABLE DRIVE
- In addition to the unique air system as discussed above, the Airlogic pedal also
incorporates a patented drive mechanism that provides the drummer with the ability to
adjust between a true center drive configuration to two different off center or cam
settings. Before the Airlogic pedal was introduced, a drummer had to decide when selecting
a bass drum pedal whether he wanted a true center drive or an off center cam drive.
Unfortunately, many drummers have never had the opportunity to learn the difference
between true center and off center drives. A true center drive pedal produces a uniform
feel throughout the beater travel. This is accomplished by keeping the distance from the
main axle to edge of the drive sprocket constant throughout the beater travel. Although
the true center drive is the most predictable, it is not the fastest drive setting. An
example of a true center drive pedal would be a Camco pedal, Speed King pedal or an Axis
pedal. The Axis pedal does have the ability to adjust the moment or lever arm, however, it
remains a true center pedal in all positions. An off center drive or cam setting is
different from a true center drive in that the distance from the main axle to the edge of
the drive sprocket or cam decreases as the beater approaches the bass drum head. Although
the cam or off center setting does not provide a uniform feel as found in the true center
setting, the cam setting provides more speed as the beater approaches the bass drum head.
The off center cam setting will provide the drummer with more speed but a little less
power than the true center setting. An example of an off center or cam pedal is the DW
accelerator pedal. As stated above, Airlogic holds the patent rights to true center/off
center adjustability and offers the only pedal that gives the drummer one pedal that
incorporates both of these settings. In addition to the true center and off center
settings, we have included a third setting that we call the reverse cam. This setting
operates opposite of the off center cam in that the distance from the main axle to the
edge of the sprocket or cam increases as the beater approaches the bass drum head. This
reverse cam setting provides the drummer with a setting that offers more power but a
little less speed. The Airlogic pedal is the only pedal that has this power setting.
Back to Contents
- ADJUSTING BETWEEN TRUE CENTER AND OFF CENTER
CAM SETTINGS
- To adjust your Airlogic pedal between the true center, off center cam and off center
reverse cam settings first locate two black T-Head bolts that connect the white
cam/sprocket to the beater holder. The cam/sprocket has two bolt hole patterns each
made-up of three holes. The three rearward holes are marked "True Center",
"Cam" and "Reverse Cam". You will find one of the T-Head bolts through
one of these labeled holes. The pedal is set on whatever hole this bolt is through. The
second bolt will be in the corresponding hole in the other bolt pattern. These bolts must
be in the same hole in their respective hole patterns for both bolts to secure the
cam/sprocket to the beater holder. To change the drive setting simply remove both T-head
bolts by turning with your fingers counter clockwise until the cam/sprocket is free of the
beater holder. Insert one of the bolts into one of the three labeled holes and turn bolt
clockwise a couple of turns to start the bolt through the cam/sprocket and into the beater
holder. Now place the second bolt into the same hole position as the first bolt only in
the second set of bolt holes and turn this bolt a couple of turns to start the bolt
through the cam/sprocket and into the beater holder. Complete the installation of
the cam/sprocket to the beater holder by tightening the bolt without the brass spacer
first and then tighten the bolt with the brass spacer. The T-Head bolts only need to be
hand tightened. No wrench is required.
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- CHAIN/BELT DRIVE
INTERCHANGEABILITY
- The Airlogic pedal is the only pedal on the market that provides both chain and belt
drive options in the same pedal. Each pedal is supplied with both chain and belt drive
hardware. To change from a chain drive to a belt drive, remove the chain retaining pin
from the cam/sprocket by turning counterclockwise. The chain retaining pin is not required
with the belt drive. The belt has a ribbed side and a flat side. Insert one 4-40 screw
with flat washer and lock washer through the belt from the ribbed side of the belt. This
screw should be in the end of the belt that has only one hole punched. The other end of
the belt has several holes punched that are used to attach the belt to the footboard.
Position the belt to the cam/sprocket and secure the belt to the underside of the
cam/sprocket with the 4-40 screw and Allen wrench provided. When the belt is installed
properly, the ribbed side of the belt will be facing up and the flat side of the belt will
be riding against the cam/sprocket. Be careful not to overtighten the 4-40 screw into the
cam/sprocket, too much torque will distort the belt. Remove the two 4-40 screws and nuts
that hold the chain to the footboard using the Allen wrench. Attach the free end of the
belt to the bottom of the footboard using two 4-40 screws, flat washers, lock washers and
nuts. Select the holes in the belt that provide the footboard angle desired. Be careful
not to overtighten the two 4-40 screws and nuts into the footboard, too much torque will
distort the belt. Care should be taken to keep the belt straight and in-line with the
centerline of the cam/sprocket and footboard. The belt should be free of any angle or
twist. Keep the chain, two 4-40 screws, nuts and chain pin. They can be reinstalled when
changing back from the belt drive to the chain drive. The chain attaches to the footboard
in the same manner as the belt, using two 4-40 screws, nuts and washers. To change from
the belt drive to the chain drive simply reverse the process listed above.
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- FOOTBOARD ANGLE ADJUSTMENT
- The footboard angle is adjustable independently of the beater angle by positioning the
chain retaining pin in one of three different holes in the cam/sprocket. To adjust the
footboard angle simply remove the chain retaining pin by turning the black knob on the
chain retaining pin counter clockwise. Hold the chain onto the cam/sprocket with one hand
while removing the chain retaining pin with the other. Reposition the pin through one of
the three holes found on the cam/sprocket and through the chain. Once the pin is through
the chain simply turn the black knob clockwise until the pin threads into the cam/sprocket
and becomes tight. Again, no tools are required for this adjustment and finger tight
torque is all that is required on the chain retaining pin. In extreme cases, the drummer
may want to adjust the footboard angle more than the three holes permit. To accomplish
this the chain needs to be repositioned to the bottom of the footboard using an Allen
wrench on the two 4-40 screws. Remove the two 4-40 Allen head cap screws with an Allen
wrench and reposition the screws through another link in the chain and retighten the
screws. This adjustment is outside the normal adjustability range of a footboard angle,
however, it is possible.
Back to Contents
- BEATER ANGLE
- The beater angle is adjustable independently of the footboard angle. The beater angle
adjustment can be made by removing the T-Head bolt that attaches the bearing, located at
the top of the air cylinder, to the main axle connecting link. The main axle connecting
link has three threaded holes to accept the bearing T-head bolt. Simply remove the T-head
bolt using a counter clockwise motion and place it into one of the other threaded holes in
the connecting link. Secure the T-head bolt by turning clockwise with your fingers until
tight. Again, no tools are required to make this adjustment. It is recommended to decrease
the air pressure in the cylinder below 30 PSI before changing the beater angle. Once the
new setting is obtained, the air pressure may be increased as desired. The threaded hole
located in the forward most position (closest to the bass drum head) will position the
beater furthest away from the bass drum head. The threaded hole located in the rearward
most position will position the beater closest to the bass drum head. Most drummers prefer
the beater to start in the position that is furthest away from the bass drum head which
corresponds to having the T-Head bolt attached to the forward most threaded hole. When
removing and replacing the T-Head bolt, make certain the thin brass spacer is in between
the connecting link and the bearing and that the thicker brass spacer is located in
between the bearing and the T-Head bolt wings.
Back to Contents
- FOOTBOARD SLIP/GRIP
- The footboard found on the Airlogic pedal is machined from a solid piece of Aluminum.
The footboard design was developed to provide adequate surface area for your foot without
any excess material that would add to the overall weight of the footboard. Excess weight
in this area of the pedal will only result in a greater amount of mass that is being
cycled which would result in a slower, less responsive action. Incorporated into this
unique design are four adjustable pointed set screws. These set screws can be adjusted
upward above the top surface of the footboard to provide traction for your foot. They can
also be adjusted downward below the top surface of the footboard or removed from the
footboard completely. The pointed set screw adjustments can be made using a small
screwdriver from the bottom of the footboard. In fact, this is the only adjustment on the
Airlogic pedal that requires a tool (screwdriver) for adjustment. Each of the pointed set
screws can be adjusted independently of each other to varying heights above or below the
top surface of the footboard. This innovative feature was incorporated due to the many
different playing techniques drummers are using today. The Airlogic pedal is the only
pedal to offer this exclusive adjustability. If you wish to completely remove the pointed
set screws out of the footboard, do this by backing the set screws out of the footboard
using a counter clockwise rotation with a screwdriver.
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- BASS DRUM CLAMP
- The bass drum clamping mechanism on the Airlogic pedal is unique in the fact that it
incorporates fore and aft adjustability. Bass drum rims vary from manufacturer to
manufacturer so we designed the clamp mechanism to adjust to a wide range of rim depths.
Position the clamp so that is approximately centered between the bass drum head and the
edge of the bass drum rim. When positioning the pedal to a bass drum, it is best to start
with the clamp knob backed all the way out (counter clockwise). The knob will hit a stop
and will not come off the attaching stud. Put your hand over the footboard holding the
clamp up with one finger. Once the pedal is located onto the bass drum rim, tighten the
clamp knob. Again, this is best accomplished with your hand positioned over the top of the
footboard turning the knob clockwise to secure to the bass drum. The bass drum clamp as
well as the pedal base have been fitted with rubber bumpers so that the bass drum rim will
not be marred or damaged.
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- FINAL COMMENTS
- Once again, we would like to thank you for your purchase of our Airlogic Percussion
single bass drum pedal. We hope the innovative design and quality of manufacture will
assist you in reaching new levels of proficiency in your bass drum work. Please feel free
to contact us at the numbers mentioned in the introduction of this manual if you need
assistance or have any questions or comments.
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