Roland FD-8 Hi-hat Control Pedal Reviews
Add the Roland FD-8 hi-hat controller pedal to your older V-Tour and V-Compact V-Drum kits, and you'll enjoy improved feel and response from your V-Drums sound module. The FD-8 features a smooth open-to closed action, and it's solidly built to stay in place when you play. Included with the FD-8 hi-hat control pedal are a monaural connection cable and an owner's manual. If you're ready to step-up your V-Tour or V-Compact V-Drum performance, you'll want to bring the Roland FD-8 hi-hat controller into service.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Perfect gift
My son has a Roland TD 4 and needed the hi hat pedal. And I didn't know this was the original model for that specific set. So I purchased it. Perfect gift.
Thank you Sweetwater for your great products and great staff. Thank you
Another Great Product
Bought this new FD-8 to replace an old one (probably about 6-8 yrs old). Pedal works perfectly. Love working with Sweetwater. These folks are top notch. A+++++
Perfect replacement!!!
Needed a new hi-hat pedal for our Roland electronic drum kit as the original one wore out. One quick call to my man at Sweetwater (Howdy, Kevin!) and the new pedal was on the way. First week out everything worked perfectly. Thanks, Sweetwater for the great customer service and the candy!
FD8
Quick delivery Perfect 100%
Roland FD-8 Upgrade for TD1-KV Kit
I purchased a compact TD1-KV kit, and I love it; however the oritinal high hat pedal was not very responsive, and often missed triggers (either opening or closing). This FD-8 works perfectly with the TD1-KV, and it provides spot-on response for the high-hat functionality. Well worth the price to improve my drumming experience.
Big improvement
This high-hat pedal works very well, lots better than the older models. The action is good. Everything feels really solid. The carpet screw pins are a great addition, they really keep it where you put it. Compared to my old FD-1 pedal, it's fabulous. A light foot will keep it closed with no fumbles. The ability to hold the pedal at halfway is much improved, but I think it could be better. With that, it'd be five stars
How to fix rubber actuator on your pedal
If your pedal is not working this is a simple fix. Take all screws out of bottom; take your time, it's easy. The rubber thing will be stiff. Remove it and put it in Vaseline or mineral oil in a ziploc bag, seal it, and put it in really hot water. In 15 minutes it will unstiffened and be as good as new. Put back together in 5 minutes.
Will need repair after some time...
After several years the rubber actuator inside this pedal will become stiff and need to be replaced (or have several cuts made in it with an exacto knife- see YouTube!). I had a hard time getting the cable of the sensor removed so I could get a vice grip on the actuator with a pair of pliers and it may have been damaged.
Needs repair after use...
It is well documented that the rubber internals need replacement/modification over time after it hardens. Roland has a new offering in this space (which I assume fixes the issue) and would probably try that first (FD-9)
Roland FD-8 Hi-Hat Controller, I Like It!
When I noticed that there was a new and improved FD-8 pedal available for my Roland V-Drums, I could not resist the temptation to give it a try. My original Roland FD-7 hi-hat pedal was not impressive and worked more like an on/off switch than a variable control device. I never could get it tweaked just right.
Today I received the new FD-8 and let me tell you what a difference it has made. For starters, it has the feel of a real hi-hat pedal with very similar tactical feedback to your foot. The full range of open to closed is also now present with this pedal. It was setup perfect right out of the box with no adjustments necessary. If you close your eyes, the FD-8 sounds and feels more like the real thing. Roland has completely redesigned the mechanical structure as well making a much more modern looking pedal than the original FD-7 "Dracula’s Coffin Design". If you have the spare change, treat yourself an FD-8 and put a little spring back into your hi-hat. It makes the whole kit feel new again.
