Stuart Williams

Stuart Williams

Drums

I'm a freelance member of the MusicRadar team, specialising in drum news, interviews and reviews. I formerly edited Rhythm and Total Guitar here in the UK and have been playing drums for more than 25 years (my arms are very tired). When I'm not working on the site, I can be found on my electronic kit at home, or gigging and depping in function bands and the odd original project. 

Articles by: Stuart Williams

Stewart Copeland, The Police Deranged for Orchestra

"Sting didn't write no film score": drum legend Stewart Copeland on his Police Deranged for Orchestra tour

By Stuart Williams published

Copeland is bringing his orchestral interpretations of The Police's hits to the UK for the first time in April 2023

Ludwig Vistalite Anniversary

Your favourite new drum kits of 2022

By Stuart Williams published

From modern to retro and brand new designs

Sarah Jones

The best session or solo drummers in the world right now, according to you

By Stuart Williams published

Sticks for hire

Charlie Benante

Charlie Benante on debut Pantera reunion show: “If I say I wasn’t nervous I’d be lying”

By Stuart Williams published

The Anthrax drummer also reveals he had a pair of Vinnie Paul's drumming gloves with him on stage

GEWA G3 Studio 5

GEWA launches G3 Series Studio 5 electronic drum set

By Stuart Williams published

With trigger technology handed down from the flagship G9

DW DWe

DW has unveiled its DWe acoustic/electronic drum set, here’s everything we know about it so far

By Stuart Williams last updated

“It’s a drum set on steroids” says Thomas Lang

D.H. Peligro

Dead Kennedys and former Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer, D.H. Peligro dies, aged 63

By Stuart Williams published

The drummer suffered trauma to his head after an accidental fall

Zultan AEON

Zultan AEON series cymbals review

By Stuart Williams last updated

  • £87

B25 bronze meets dual-finishing for a blend of traditional and modern cymbal sounds

Yamaha Stage Custom drum set in a studio with spotlights behind

Best drum sets 2023: top drum kits for beginner to pro drummers

By James Farmer published

Explore 17 of the best drum kits for the studio, stage and bedroom from Ludwig, Pearl, Tama, DW and more

DrumCraft Limited Edition finishes

DrumCraft adds limited edition finishes to Series 6 kits

By Stuart Williams published

The revived drum brand has unveiled two gradient finishes to its flagship series

Alesis Nitro Mesh on a rug against a wall

Best electronic drum sets under $500/£500 in 2023: budget e-drums from Roland, Alesis, Yamaha and more

By Stuart Williams published

Space-saving, noise-reducing, all-in-one alternatives to acoustic drums that won't break the bank

The 6 best Roland electronic drum sets 2022: The top Roland e-kits for beginner to pro drummers

Best Roland electronic drum sets 2023: The top Roland e-kits for beginner to pro drummers

By Chris Barnes last updated

Find the right Roland electronic drum set for you

Premier 2022

Premier Drums marks 100th anniversary with Special Edition kits, snares and an overhaul of its entire range!

By Stuart Williams published

Elite, Genista, Artist and Revolution now form the company’s acoustic line-up

Roland D-Flux concept electronic drum set

Roland's retro-futuristic D-Flux concept electronic drum set is about as far away from 2022 V-Drums as we can imagine

By Stuart Williams published

Triangle-shaped pads, multi-zone percussion…Belt Kick?

Anderson .Paak Ludwig Reverb Store Pee .Wee collection

Ludwig and Anderson .Paak launch two Pee .Wee signature snare drums via Reverb

By Stuart Williams published

The Vanderson Paisley-finished, limited edition snares are accompanied by a drum rug, too

Roland

Roland announces six new TD-17, TD-27 and VAD series electronic drum sets

By Stuart Williams published

Module, hardware and cymbal upgrades, plus VH-14D digital hi-hats join the new V-Drums configurations

Taylor Hawkins

Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert: what to expect from the LA event

By Stuart Williams last updated

10 possible collaborations and awesome performance reprisals we'd love to see at LA's Kia Forum

Roland SPD-SX Pro

Roland announces SPD-SX Pro sample pad and it’s absolutely packed with new features

By Stuart Williams published

From next-level LED markers to hi-hat control and step sequence playback, there’s a lot to get excited about

akai

The history of breaks in music production

By Si Truss, Matt Mullen, Stuart Williams last updated

We trace the influence of breaks in music-making from the birth of hip-hop through breakbeat hardcore, rave, jungle and DnB

Man with a laptop on an electronic drum kit

Best drum VSTs 2023: our pick of sampled drum kit plugins

By Stuart Williams last updated

Want to trigger realistic drum sounds from your electronic kit? These software packages put world-class studio drums at your fingertips

DW joins Roland Corporation

Drum Workshop Inc. joins Roland Corporation as the Japanese giant acquires all outstanding DW shares

By Stuart Williams published

The two world-class brands made the announcement this morning

Josh Freese

Josh Freese on Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert: “I wanted to sweat all over the same drums he was sweating over every night”

By Stuart Williams published

Freese put in some incredible performances last weekend, and took to social media to reflect

Zultan AEON

Zultan announces FX-laden AEON Series cymbal line-up

By Stuart Williams published

The 20-strong line-up promises to be “Bright, shimmering with earthy tones”

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Eight snare drum dampening and muffling tricks you can try for (almost) free

By Stuart Williams published

Dead snare drum sounds? If you like it then you’d better take the ring out of it

Anika Nilles

Watch Anika Nilles break-down her push-pull bass drum foot technique

By Stuart Williams published

Super-fast bass drum playing from a single pedal? Step right this way…

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