So, I am a beginning drummer. I really only want to learn how to play rudiments and increase my rhythm and speed. The pad is perfect. The grey side is SO quiet, you can play it with other people in the room and not annoy them. This side is made out of a “soft” rubber has a lot of bounce to it, A LOT. The other/black side is made out of a “harder” rubber, and has less bounce, but still enough. This side is also louder, i think of it as making a “tick” sound….this side could annoy people.

The grey side I use, when i want to be discreet of play along with a metronome or song. The other side is when you actually want to produce a sound. Highly recommended for a practice pad. I can’t imagine many people not likely this product, but maybe serious drummers have a different POV than I.

Firstly, the pad review.
This is a great, sturdy pad. The Grey side is a soft, quiet gum rubber with a textured surface and FANTASTIC rebound. Very very quiet.

The Black side is louder, more articulate, firmer, and has slightly less rebound to work out your chops.

A great and versatile pad, I highly recommend it.

Secondly, the whole “different product” issue.
The pad is the same as in the picture. It is not the same as an HQ RealFeel Pad because…it isn’t. But it is. Let me explain. Not too long ago, HQ percussion became a sub brand of Evans percussion, and thus the HQ RealFeel pad is now the Evans RealFeel. So it’s the same pad, new name. So don’t fret, now-informed consumers, for this is a genuine RealFeel.

Now go practice.

Tried many other practice pads (Promark X pads, Zildjian practice pads, E-pads, Remo pads) and by far this is the best I’ve used! Firstly for it serves its primary purpose- QUIET practice with REALISTIC feel. Definitely a must-buy for drummers who have whiny neighbours or if you just wanna practice quietly. Both sides are excellent, even the black side is much quieter than other brands’ “Hard sides”. Will definitely recommend to any serious drummer out there!