RockBand Mods.net

As many Rock Band drum mods are particular to certain model lines or pedal versions, this guide serves as a reference to identify which pads or pedal you may have, as well as compare their differences.

All versions have their own advantages and disadvantages, and your play style will determine which set works best for you.

EL Drum Pads

The EL drum pad version can be easily identified by the serial number on the underside of the drum pads.  The serial number is stamped on a plastic tab between the yellow and red pads and ends with the letters “EL”.

The EL pads can also be identified by looking at the underside of the yellow and blue pads.  The blue and yellow pads of an EL set will be solid underneath compared to the red and green pads, where the rubber plug wells are accessible.

These pads are regarded as the first version of drums and the least sensitive.  The travel between the pad and the sensor is large and can have a tendency to deteriorate with play.  Fast rolls are picked up better on an EL model due to sensor damping, but can require harder hits, which in turn causes dented heads.  The EL also has a bad tendency of not registering all hits.

QM Drum Pads

The QM drum pad version can also be identified by the serial number on the underside of the pads.  The serial number is located behind the control section of the pads (i.e. d-pad and buttons) and ends with the letters “QM”.

QM pads can also be identified by looking underneath the yellow and blue pads.  On the underside of the two middle pads, the rubber plug wells are accessible like the red and green outer pads.

Regarded as the second revision of drum pads, the QM is also the most sensitive.  However, this increased sensitivity can cause other problems, especially with fast rolls where it can pick up double or triple hits or not register the hit at all. A video of the sensitivity problem is shown below:

SL Drum Pads

The SL version of pads can also be identified by the serial number printed on the underside of the pads.  The serial number is located near the drum pedal plug-in port and ends with the letters “SL”. They also look very similar to the EL versions from beneath as the red and green pads are solid underneath.

A picture of a SL serial number location can be found here.

The SL pads are the most recently released revision, so there is little information available.  As more information about these pads is discovered, it will be posted here in an update.