Drumeo P4 Practice Pad Review (With Video)
I’ve had the pleasure of trying out a lot of practice pads over the years, and recently, I had the opportunity to get my hands on the Drumeo P4 Practice Pad. I must say, I’m quite impressed.
It comes with four distinct playing surfaces that make it more versatile than a standard practice pad. It’s been great for me to practice my rudiments and stick control across different playing surfaces. I can easily take it with me and get in some quality practice time.
It’s important to note, some other pads will be better in different situations, so this article should help you decide if it’s for you or not. That said, this pad has become one of my main go-to practice tools.
Take a look at my video review if you want to see it in action:
The Drumeo P4 Practice Pad, designed by renowned educator, Pat Petrillo in collaboration with Drumeo, is a highly responsive practice pad that aims to mimic the feel and response of a full drum kit. It comes with four distinct playing surfaces that are designed to simulate various parts of the kit, from the snare to ride cymbal.
Contents
Drumeo P4 Practice Pad
Verdict
This is a great practice pad with four different surfaces to help you work on your rebound and stick control, helping you get faster, more creative, and in control. It's great for newbies and seasoned drummers alike. It's compact and well-built, but not quite as portable as some other pads. Overall, it's an awesome practice pad.
Pros
- Four different playing surfaces
- Simulates movement around the kit
- Improves speed, control, and creativity
- Great for beginners and experienced drummers
- Quiet and suitable for late-night practice, Compact and portable, Durable and solid construction
Cons
- Pricey compared to other practice pads
- Not as portable as other drum pads
- The different surfaces don’t quite feel like a snare, tom, floor tom, and ride
Playing Surfaces
The P4 practice pad has a great design with four different playing surfaces, so you have plenty of practice options. The smart three-layer setup helps you get better control over rebound and imitate your drum kit’s movement. Trust me, this pad is perfect for practicing your sticking and rebound and sparking your creativity.
Firstly, we have the classic gum-rubber surface, reminiscent of your good old-fashioned practice pad. It’s got that familiar snare drum feel to it that we all know and love.
Next up is the harder neoprene-rubber surface, which gives you a similar responsiveness to that of your high-toms. For those late-night practice sessions or when you’re looking to build up some strength, the pad offers a quiet floor-tom feel. It’s perfect for those times when you want to jam without waking the neighbours. This is probably my favorite playing surface on the pad, though that could possibly be an unpopular opinion.
Lastly, the P4 pad features its hardest surface, producing a distinct sound that replicates the ride cymbal.
It certainly doesn’t feel exactly like the instruments it’s trying to replicate, but there’s enough variety in them that it certainly will help you train your rebound to play across the different playing surfaces of a kit.
Portability
Okay, so the P4 might not be the most portable option out there because of its uneven weight distribution, but it only weighs around 3.1 lbs, so it’s still relatively easy to move around. Just keep in mind that the weight distribution could affect how well it fits in some bags or cases. You might want to think about that when picking a storage or transport solution.
Value for Money
The Drumeo P4 Practice Pad might be a bit pricier than other practice pads, but it’s worth it for drummers at any level. With its awesome range of playing surfaces, like traditional gum rubber and neoprene rubber, you can work on your skills with different textures and levels. Plus, its solid build and good rep among drummers make it a must-have for any practice routine. In the end, the higher price is totally justified by the top-notch quality and perks it brings.
Noise Reduction
It’s not a particularly noisy pad to play on, but the volume is a bit inconsistent across the different parts of the pad. The grey section on the right-hand side of the pad is by far the quietest part. The red section at the top is the hardest part of the pad and feels the loudest to play on. It’s not as quiet as the Drumeo QuietPad and other practice pads available out there, but it still gets the job done.
Drumeo QuietPad vs Drumeo P4
Drumeo also has the QuietPad, which is way quieter than the P4, and somewhat similar to the grey soft section of the P4 practice pad. It’s reversible, with a blue side that has the same volume as other practice pads on the market and a black side that’s about 8-10dB quieter.
If you’re after a simple, budget-friendly, low-volume pad, the QuietPad is a solid choice. But if you want more versatility and variety, and don’t mind spending a bit more, go for the P4.
Durability
The construction of this practice pad is made with some seriously durable material. It’s built like a tank and will definitely handle even the most intense practice sessions. There is no doubt that the P4 will last for years to come.
Verdict
The Drumeo P4 Practice Pad is an amazing practice tool for drummers of all skill levels. It has four unique playing surfaces that feel just like a real drum kit, giving you lots of practice options to boost your skills. Sure, it’s a bit more expensive, but the Drumeo P4 Practice Pad is a lasting investment that’s worth every penny. If you’re deciding between the Drumeo QuietPad and the P4, go for the P4 if you want more versatility and variety.
