[Product Review!] Pearl’s High-End Pedal Demon XR: A Guide to Kick Pedal Settings

For drummers, the performance of the kick pedal is a crucial element that significantly impacts their performance. It’s a piece of equipment that every drummer is particularly meticulous about. In pursuit of the ideal pedal, I have personally invested in and experienced four different kick pedals.

This time, I borrowed the latest series of kick pedals, the Demon XR twin pedal, from Pearl! I would like to share my impressions, features, and settings along with the unboxing step.

Pearl / P-3502D Demon XR

The Demon XR, developed in collaboration with world-renowned drummer George Kollias, is Pearl’s latest series of kick pedals.
Today, I’m unboxing the double pedal P-3502D from the Demon XR Series, which is Pearl’s high-end kick pedal!

The P-3502D uses mechanisms, which are already known to be used in the Demon Series: low-friction, high-precision NiNjA Bearings and Click Lock to prevent the spring tension knob from loosening. These unique mechanisms of Pearl’s make the P-3502D functional and high-quality double pedal. This pedal also uses the Direct Link for extreme speed and Extreme Spring for powerful rebound to achieve high speed, catering to players seeking speed, power, and precision.

This is the package!
There is the familiar logo that was used for the Demon Drive, but this time it’s dressed up with ‘XR’!
It raises expectations!

Opening the package reveals a robust case!
The handle is smooth and sturdy, making it easy to carry, and it comes with a shoulder strap, ensuring excellent functionality.

Inside the case, the awaited pedals!

The sleek design in silver and red is impressive!
Included are the Z-Link Universal Joint of course, but also the NiNjA Oil for the NiNjA bearings, and spare springs.
Now, let’s assemble it!

Assembly is straightforward: just attach the beater and the Universal Joint to the pedal.
Like in the picture below, firmly mount the Universal Joint onto the pedal and loosen the bolt on the joint to allow it to extend for smoother future adjustments!

Next, set the pedal to the bass drum.
Securely hold the hoop, as shown in the picture below.

The wing nut makes attachment easy!

From above, it looks like this.

To set up smoothly, clear away any obstacles around you like the snare drum and hi-hat.
Try stepping on the pedal here with both feet to adjust the width to your preference.

Now, let’s set up the snare drum and hi-hat pedal.

I prioritize ease of use, so the pedals are set close together, with the snare drum stand fitting snugly in between footboards.
The hi-hat pedal is also placed as close as possible to the kick pedal, minimizing the left foot’s movement.

Once the overall position is set, adjust the beater angle.

Adjusting the beater is simple. Just set the position using the scale on the right and tune with the tuning bolt!
Two beaters can be set independently, so make the setting in the same way for the left beater.

Next, ensure the beater hits the correct spot.
I found that the Demon XR’s factory setting of the memory lock is preset to hit the center of a 22-inch bass drum!

The memory lock’s position can be adjusted using the hammer-shaped tuning key included in the box.
Personally, I like the hammer-shaped tuning key because it avoids interference with other parts.

Finally, step on the pedal and adjust the spring tension to your preference.
Remove the click lock shown in the picture below and make adjustments.

I wanted a little more rebound, so I tightened the screw one turn.
The spring felt the strongest among all I’ve used, so a little adjustment goes a long way.

The setup is now complete! How was it?
The Demon XR is easy to set up even for beginners, making it a great initial investment for their first double pedals. Of course, it’s highly recommended for seasoned players as well!
In the next review, I will compare the Demon XR with other pedals I own and delve deeper into its features. Stay tuned!