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Drum kits of the pros: stars' live and studio drum setups in pictures

By Tom Porter, MusicRadar, Si Truss
last updated 26 February 2020

UPDATED: Up close with the pro gear behind the beats

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Drum kits of the pros
Stars' live and studio drum setups in pictures

Drum kits of the pros

UPDATED: We've added a host of new drum kits to the gallery, including the drum setups behind the mammoth pop tours of Girls Aloud, Bruno Mars and George Michael, the cymbal-free setup of Mercury Prize winners Alt-J and latest setup of Transplants/Blink 182 man Travis Barker. Find them on the next few slides and scroll through the gallery to see the whole selection.

Every month Rhythm magazine scales the four corners of the Earth to interview the best pro drummers out there and (more importantly for the purposes of this gallery) to take a closer - often exclusive - look at their drum setups. This gallery celebrates the best from Rhythm, and some of MusicRadar's own…

Scroll through to see kits belonging to some of the biggest names in the business from Travis Barker (twice!) and Joey Jordison to Steve Gadd and Thomas Lang. You can click through to read gear-centric extracts from Rhythm's interviews from the stars themselves and, in many cases, from their all-knowing drum techs.

  • Find your next kit with our guide to the best drum sets

First up: Karl Brazil's Girls Aloud drum setup in pictures

Page 1 of 42
Page 1 of 42
Karl Brazil's Girls Aloud drum setup in pictures
Gretsch USA Maple kit

Karl Brazil's Girls Aloud drum setup in pictures

Drums

Gretsch USA Maple: 12", 16", 18", 20", 24"; 14"x5" Pearl Brass Sensitone snare; 14"x5" Gretsch Hammered Brass snare

Cymbals

Sabian: 18" Artisan crash; 15" Artisan hi-hats; 12" Evolution splash; 19" Artisan crash; 12" Evolution splash; 21" Legacy ride; 18” 3-Point Crash; 18” APX FX Crash; 22” Legacy Rivet ride

Plus...

Roland SPD-SX; Roland PD-8 x2; Porter and Davies BC2; Vic Firth 55A’s; Heads: Remo - Emperor X snare heads; coated Emperors on toms; coated Powerstroke 3 on kicks; Protection Racket Cases and drum mat

More: Karl Brazil's Girls Aloud drum setup in pictures

Page 2 of 42
Page 2 of 42
Travis Barker's Transplants drum setup in pictures
OCDP Three-band acrylic kit

Travis Barker's Transplants drum setup in pictures

Drums

OCDP Three-band acrylic in black/white/black: 22"x22" bass drum with double wide front hoop (built-in woodblock on batter side hoop), 12"x6" tom, 16"x14" floor tom; 14"x61⁄2" bell brass snare; 10"x7" side snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 15" A Custom Mastersound hi-hats; 14" A Custom (with 10" Trashformer stacked on); 19" A Custom Projection; 16" A Custom; 20" A Custom; 23" A Sweet ride; 18" Oriental china

Plus...

DW hardware: 9000 cymbal stands, 5500 hi-hat, 5000 turbo bass drum pedal; Heads - Remo: coated Emperor top and coated Ambassador bottom on toms;. Coated P3 batter and ebony P3 front with 6" Holz ring in centre of bass drum; coated Emperor-X top and Ambassador snare bottom on main snare; coated Emperor top and Ambassador bottom on side snare; Yamaha DTX; Audix mics; LP percussion; Travis Barker model cowbell, Zildjian Travis Barker sticks; Zildjian Travis Barker stick and cymbal bags; Zildjian Travis Barker practice pad; Metrophones headphones; JH Audio in-ears

More: Travis Barker's Transplants drum setup in pictures

Page 3 of 42
Page 3 of 42
Ilan Rubin's Paramore drum setup in pictures
Q Drum Co. kit

Ilan Rubin's Paramore drum setup in pictures

Drums

Q Drum Co., copper shells with maple reinforcement hoops: 13x9-inch (or 14x10-inch) rack tom, 16x16-inch and 18x16-inch floor toms, 24x16-inch bass drum (usually 26x16-inch), 14x6 1⁄2-inch brass snare

Cymbals

Zildjian - 24-inch K Light ride, 15-inch K Light hi-hats, 20 or 21-inch K crash ride or 20 or 21-inch K Custom crash ride

Plus...

Remo - CS Dots on top, Clear Ambassadors on the bottom, X14 on the snare, Hazy Ambassador on bottom snare, Clear Powerstroke 3 on the bass drum

More: Ilan Rubin's Paramore drum setup in pictures

Page 4 of 42
Page 4 of 42
Thom Green's Alt-J drum setup in pictures
Gretsch Renown Maple kit

Thom Green's Alt-J drum setup in pictures

Drums

Gretsch Renown Maple: 22x18-inch kick drum; 12x8-inch rack tom; 16x16-inch floor tom; 10x5 1⁄2-inch Mapex Black Panther snare

Plus...

Meinl Foot Cabasa, Meinl tambourine, Meinl cowbell, Meinl bongos, DW 9000 Series hardware, DW 5000 Series double pedal, Pro-Mark 5A Nylon Tip Oak sticks, Porter & Davies BC2 stool, Evans EC2 on toms and snare, Remo Powerstroke Clear on kick

More: Thom Green's Alt-J drum setup in pictures

Page 5 of 42
Page 5 of 42
Eric Hernandez's Bruno Mars drum setup in pictures
DW Jazz Series kit

Eric Hernandez's Bruno Mars drum setup in pictures

Drums

DW Jazz Series in Maple, Twisted Black Oyster finish: 10x7-inch & 12x8-inch toms; 14x14-inch & 16x16-inch floor toms; 18x22-inch kick drum; 14x6 1⁄2-inch Brass snare; 14x5 1⁄2-inch Edge Maple Mahogany snare

Cymbals

Sabian: 6-inch AAX splash; 10-inch HHX splash; 14-inch AAX X-Celerator hi-hats; 20-inch AAX Aero crash; 22-inch HHX Legacy Heavy ride; 17-inch AAX Holy China; 20-inch AAX Xplosion crash

Plus...

DW 9000 hardware; Remo heads - Clear Vintage Emperors (tom batters), Ambassadors (bottom), Coated X14 (snare), Powerstroke 3 (kick); Vic Firth X5B sticks; Roland SPD-SX and triggers; “Woodshed Stage Art for all my head graphics”

More: Eric Hernandez's Bruno Mars drum setup in pictures

Page 6 of 42
Page 6 of 42
Mark Mclean and Lea Mullen's George Michael drum and percussion setup in pictures
Yamaha Maple Custom kit

Mark Mclean and Lea Mullen's George Michael drum and percussion setup in pictures

Mark's drums

Yamaha Maple Custom - 20-inch bass drum; 10-inch tom; 16 & 14-inch floor toms; Yamaha Maple 14x5 1⁄2-inch snare and 13x6-inch Steve Jordan snare

Mark's cymbals

Zildjian - 15-inch K hi-hats; 18-inch K crash; 20-inch K ride; 20-inch Constantinople ride; 20-inch Constantinople Flat ride

Plus...

Zildjian sticks; JH Audio in-ear monitors

Lea's percussion

Pearl Percussion fibreglass congas and bongos; Pearl Percussion gong drum; Pearl hand percussion; home made shakers, coil chime, spring table; Leiva Percussion

Lea's cymbals

Zildjian cymbals; 12-inch A splash; 12-inch K Hybrid splash; 15-inch K crash, 18-inch A Custom EFX; Matt Nolan gongs

Plus...

Pearl hardware; JD Audio in-ear monitors; Protection Racket cases; Hammerax Boomywang; Pro-Mark sticks and beaters

More: Mark Mclean and Lea Mullen's George Michael drum and percussion setup in pictures

Page 7 of 42
Page 7 of 42
Tony Hajjar's At The Drive-In drum setup in pictures
Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit

Tony Hajjar's At The Drive-In drum setup in pictures

Drums

Tama Starclassic Bubinga: 24x16-inch kick drum; 13x8-inch tom; 16x14-inch & 16x16-inch floor toms; 14x5 1/2-inch SLP maple snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 20-inch K Crash ride; 22-inch K ride; 18-inch K crash; 14-inch EFX with 18-inch Oriental and Z Bell in a stack; 14-inch K Mastersound hi-hats

Plus...

Vater 5B sticks; Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide pedal and hardware; Heads - Evans Onyx on toms, EC1 on snare, G2 on kick

More: Tony Hajjar's At The Drive-In drum setup in pictures

Page 8 of 42
Page 8 of 42
Ronnie Vannucci's Killers drum setup in pictures
Craviotto Maple/Poplar/Maple Stacked Solid Candy Apple Red Lacquer kit

Ronnie Vannucci's Killers drum setup in pictures

Drums

Craviotto Maple/Poplar/Maple Stacked Solid Candy Apple Red Lacquer kit: 24x15-inch, 13x9-inch, 16x16-inch, 18x16-inch, 14x6 1/2 snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 17-inch K Constantinople crash and 17-inch K Orchestral suspended cymbal as hi-hats; 22-inch Thin Overhammered with six rivets, 24-inch Light ride, 22-inch K Constantinople Renaissance ride, 22-inch Swish Knocker A series, 40-inch Gong

Plus...

Remo Black Dot heads; DW 9000 series hardware, DW 5000 series pedal, Roland SPD-SX, Zildjian Ronnie Vannucci signature sticks

More: Ronnie Vannucci's Killers drum setup in pictures

Page 9 of 42
Page 9 of 42
Matt Cameron's Pearl Jam drum setup in pictures
Yamaha Oak Custom kit

Matt Cameron's Pearl Jam drum setup in pictures

Drums

Yamaha Oak Custom drum kit: 12x8-inch rack tom; 13x9-inch rack tom; 16x14-inch floor tom; 18x16-inch floor tom; 24x14-inch bass drum; 14-inch Gregg Keplinger snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 14-inch K Light hats; 17-inch K Custom Dark crash and 18-inch K Crash Ride; 19-inch Projection crash; 20-inch Rezo crash; 22-inch A Medium ride

Plus...

Yamaha Hardware; Vic Firth Matt Cameron sticks; Remo heads

More: Matt Cameron's Pearl Jam drum setup in pictures

Page 10 of 42
Page 10 of 42
John Jenkins' Example drum setup in pictures
Chequerplate Drums & Percussion LED custom kit

John Jenkins' Example drum setup in pictures

Drums

Chequerplate Drums & Percussion LED custom kit in Ultra blue: 10x7-inch & 12x8-inch rack toms; 16x16-inch floor toms (x2); 22x18-inch bass drum; 10x5-inch, 12x6-inch and 14x7-inch snare drums; 10-inch Jobeky e-drums with custom acrylic design (x4)

Cymbals

Sabian: 9-inch Vault Radia Nano hi-hats; 13-inch Vault Fierce hi-hats; 14-inch HHX Groove hi-hats; 16-inch HHX O-Zone, 18-inch HHX Evolution, 18-inch HHX X-Treme & 18-inch AAX Omni crashes; 21-inch Vault Crossover ride

Plus...

Remo Clear Emperor heads; Black Cymbal Nutz from Pimpco, Vic Firth sticks; Custom Chequerplate LED rack; ddrum triggers

More: John Jenkins' Example drum setup in pictures

Page 11 of 42
Page 11 of 42
Brian Lane's Brand New drum setup in pictures
C&C Custom Kit

Brian Lane's Brand New drum setup in pictures

Drums

C&C Custom Drums: 24x16-inch bass drum; 13x9-inch tom; 16x16-inch floor tom; 14x6 1⁄2-inch Ludwig Supraphonic brass snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 16-inch K Light hi-hats; 20-inch Z3 crash; 24-inch K Light ride; 20-inch K ride

Plus...

DW 9000 series pedal; Gibraltar hardware; Vic Firth 2B wood tip sticks; Remo heads - Clear Emperors on toms batter side, Ambassadors on resonant side, Powerstroke 3 on kick, Emperor Vintage on snare

More: Brian Lane's Brand New drum setup in pictures

Page 12 of 42
Page 12 of 42
Nick Augusto's Trivium drum setup in pictures
Pearl Reference Pure Series kit

Nick Augusto's Trivium drum setup in pictures

Drums

Pearl Reference Pure Series: 22x18-inch kick drum (x2); 10x8-inch tom; 12x9-inch tom; 16x16-inch floor tom; 18x16-inch floor tom; 14x61⁄2-inch snare

Cymbals

Sabian: 19-inch Chad Smith Holy China (x2); 19-inch AAX crash; 20-inch AAX crash; 13-inch Paragon hi-hats; 14-inch AAX hi-hats

Plus...

DW9000 double-pedal; Pearl hardware and stands; Pro-Mark Nylon Tip 5B sticks; Evans G2 heads (toms/kick), Remo Emperor X on snare

More: Nick Augusto's Trivium drum setup in pictures

Page 13 of 42
Page 13 of 42
Chris Johnson's Rihanna drum setup in pictures
Yamaha Oak Custom kit

Chris Johnson's Rihanna drum setup in pictures

Drums

Yamaha Oak Custom: 24x18-inch & 22x18-inch kick drums; 14x51/2-inch snare; 14x8-inch Loud snare; 13x7-inch Musashi snare; 8x7-inch, 10x8-inch & 12x9-inch toms; 16x16-inch floor tom; 18x16-inch Gong drum

Cymbals

Sabian: 20-inch Ozone crash; 17-inch AAX X-treme China; 19-inch AAXX-plosion crash; 12-inch splash; 6-inch splash; 18-inch Prototype Dry ride; 18-inch HHX Evolution crash; 10-inch splash; 22-inch Artisan ride; 17-inch hi-hats made from two 17-inch Explosion crashes; 14-inch HHX Evolution hi-hats

Plus...

DrumKAT; Akai (x2); Yamaha Chain Drive pedals, Yamaha hardware, Vater 3A Fatback sticks; Remo heads - Emperor Clears on toms, Control Sound on main snare, Emperor Coated on other two snares, Powerstroke 3 on both kicks

More: Chris Johnson's Rihanna drum setup in pictures

Page 14 of 42
Page 14 of 42
Brandon Barnes's Rise Against drum setup in pictures
Tama StarClassic maple

Brandon Barnes's Rise Against drum setup in pictures

Drums

Tama StarClassic maple: 22x18-inch bass drum; 12x9-inch rack tom; 16x16-inch floor tom; 14x8-inch snare drum

Cymbals

Sabian: 22-inch Paragon ride; 18 & 19-inch Virgil Donati Signature Saturation crash; 14-inch Paragon hi-hats

Plus...

Evans drum heads; Tama hardware; Tama Iron Cobra bass pedal; Tama Iron Cobra hi-hat stand; Pro-Mark 5b drum sticks

More: Brandon Barnes's Rise Against drum setup in pictures

Page 15 of 42
Page 15 of 42
Steve Barney's The Wanted drum setup in pictures
Premier Series Elite kit

Steve Barney's The Wanted drum setup in pictures

Drums

Premier Series Elite (in Gold Fade Sparkle Lacquer): 22-inch kick drum; 12-inch rack tom; 14 & 16-inch floor toms; 14x8-inch Premier maple snare (in Gold Fade Sparkle Lacquer); 14x6-inch Premier Artist brass snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 15-inch A Custom Mastersound hi-hats; 11-inch Oriental Trash Splash; 18-inch A Custom crash; 20-inch K Custom ride; 19-inch A Custom Projection crash; 18-inch Oriental Trash china

Plus...

Premier 6000 Series hardware; Premier 6000 kick drum pedal; Roland SPD-SX sampling pad; Roland Acoustic Drum Triggers (RT-10K kick & RT-10T snare); Behringer Eurorack mixer (MX 802A); Porter & Davies BC2; Sennheiser HD 25 headphones; Vater Universal sticks; Protection Racket cases and drum rug; Baskey Matt Markers and Kick Stops; LP Shakers/Cajon

More: Steve Barney's The Wanted drum setup in pictures

Page 16 of 42
Page 16 of 42
Mike Portnoy's 2012 drum setup in pictures
Tama Starclassic Performer birch/bubinga kit

Mike Portnoy's 2012 drum setup in pictures

Drums

Tama Starclassic Performer birch/bubinga kit in Diamond Dust finish: 8, 10 & 12-inch toms; 14 & 16-inch floor toms; 12-inch Melody Maker snare; 14-inch Melody Maker snare (both steel shell); Gong drum; 22-inch bass drum; low-pitch set of Octabans

Cymbals

Sabian - 18-inch AAX Ozone crash, 14-inch Vault hi-hats, 18-inch HHXplosion crash, 18-inch HHX china, 7 & 9-inch Max splash, 10-inch Max Stax mid with 7-inch Radia cup chime on top, 18-inch prototype crash, 21-inch Vault Custom Shop ride, 10-inch Chopper, 12-inch Max Stax low, 18-inch Paragon china, 20-inch Vault crash

Plus...

Tama Iron Cobra Powerglide double pedal, Iron Cobra hi-hat stand; Pro-Mark Mike Portnoy 420 Signature drum sticks; Heads - Remo Emperor on tom tops, Ambassador on tom bottoms. Ambassador CS Reverse Dot on snare batters, Powerstroke 3 with Falam patch on bass batter, Ebony resonant head

More: Mike Portnoy's 2012 drum setup in pictures

Page 17 of 42
Page 17 of 42
Brann Dailor's Mastodon drum setup
Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit

Brann Dailor's Mastodon drum setup

Drums

Tama Starclassic Bubinga: 22x18-inch bass drum; 10x61⁄2-inch, 12x7-inch & 13x7.5-inch toms; 16x16-inch floor tom; 14x6-inch Starphonic brass snare

Cymbals

Meinl: 14-inch Mb20 Heavy Soundwave hi-hats; 18-inch Mb20 Heavy crash; 22-inch Mb8 Medium ride; 8-inch Classic Bells Effect cymbal; 20-inch Mb20 Heavy crash

Plus...

Tama hardware including Speed Cobra double pedal, Iron Cobra lever glidehi-hat stand & 1st Chair Ergo Rider drum throne; Vater 5B woodtip sticks; Evans heads: EQ3 clear bass, EQ3 black resonant bass, EQ Pad muffler, AF Patch, Power Center snare batter, 300 snare side, G2 clear tom tops, G1 clear tom bottoms

More: Brann Dailor's Mastodon drum setup in pictures

Page 18 of 42
Page 18 of 42
Joey Castillo's Queens Of The Stone Age drum kit
DW Jazz Series kit

Joey Castillo's Queens Of The Stone Age drum kit

Drums

DW Jazz Series: 24x16-inch kick drum; 14x10-inch rack tom; 18x16-inch floor tom.14x8-inch Sonor snare.

Cymbals

Zildjian: 24-inch K Light ride; 21-inch Prototype K crash; 19-inch K Hybrid crash; 14-inch Soundmaster hi-hats.

Plus...

Latin Percussion 160 Cyclops Tambourine; Latin Percussion cowbell; Remo Black Dot heads; DW hardware: 6710 straight cymbal stands; DW 9000 bass pedal; Vic Firth Super 5B sticks.

More: Joey Castillo's Queens Of The Stone Age drum kit in pictures

Page 19 of 42
Page 19 of 42
Ben Johnston's Biffy Clyro drum setup
Pearl Reference Series kit

Ben Johnston's Biffy Clyro drum setup

Drums

Pearl Reference Series (maple/mahogany shells): 22-inch bass drum, 13-inch rack tom, 16 and 18-inch floor toms, 14x5-inch Sensitone Elite snare drum.

Cymbals

Sabian: Paragon 13-inch hihats, 17, 18 and 19-inch AAX X-Plosion crashes, 21-inch HHX Raw Bell Dry ride, 19-inch Paragon Chinese.

Plus

Pro-Mark Neil Peart Signature 747 drum sticks, Pearl hardware and pedals, Aquarian coated Super Kick 2 heads on bass drum, Aquarian Hi-Impact on snare and Remo Pinstripes on toms and a Latin Percussion Jam Block.

More: Ben Johnston's Biffy Clyro drum sertup in pictures

Page 20 of 42
Page 20 of 42
Neil Peart's Time Machine drum setup
Drum Workshop Collectors Series kit

Neil Peart's Time Machine drum setup

Drums

Drum Workshop Collectors Series in Steampunk finish: 23-inch bass drum (VLX shell series); 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch and 13-inch rack toms (X-shell series); 15-inch (x2), 16 and 18-inch floor toms (VLT shell series); 14x6½-inch VLT series snare; 13-inch X-shell series piccolo snare.

Cymbals

Sabian Paragon Brilliant finish cymbals with a custom Steampunk design applied by the factory: 10-inch splash (x2); 16-inch (x2), 18 & 20-inch crashes; 14-inch hi-hats; 22-inch ride; 14-inch Artisan Brilliant X-hats; 8-inch splash (mounted above the hats); 20-inch china beneath a 20-inch Diamondback china (cymbal with the jingles and rivets); 19-inch china.

Plus

Copper-plated DW 9300 series hardware, 5000 series DW hi-hat pedal, 9000 series DW double bass drum pedal; Pro-Mark Neil Peart Signature 747 drumsticks; 9ft x 9ft Octagonal rotating drum riser in Steampunk finish; Squirrel cage fans (x2, to cool his hands); Kelly SHU internal kick drum microphone mount.

Roland TD-20X V-drum triggers (mounted in DW Collector series shells), Roland V cymbals and hi-hats, Dauz trigger pad, Fat Kat trigger pedals, Mallet Kat Express (Midi Marimba), Roland V-drum TD-20KX percussion modules (x2), Roland XV 5080 samplers (x2), Glyph hard drives, Roland Midi Displays, Behringer line mixer, Monster power conditioner.

MORE: Neil Peart's Time Machine drum setup in pictures

Page 21 of 42
Page 21 of 42
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience drum setup
DW Vistalite kit

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience drum setup

Drums

DW Vistalite kit: 26"x14" kick drum, 14"x6.5" Ludwig Anniversary Edition snare, 14"x10" rack tom, 16"x16", 18"x16" floor toms

Cymbals

Zildjian 15" Mastersound hi-hats, Zildjian 21" K Crash Ride x2, Zildjian 24" K Light Ride

Plus

DW 8000 hi-hat stand, DW 8000 double kick pedal, Zildjian 40" gong

MORE: Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience drum setup in pictures

Page 22 of 42
Page 22 of 42
Mike Pedicone's My Chemical Romance kit
RCI (USA) Custom Acrylic kit

Mike Pedicone's My Chemical Romance kit

Drums

RCI (USA) Custom Acrylic (Clear Finish) drum shells assembled by Noble & Cooley, with custom hardware: 22"x20" kick, 13"x9" rack tom, 16"x16" & 18"x18" floor toms on legs Pearl Jimmy DeGrasso 14"x5.5" custom brass snare, Pearl 14"x9" African mahogany snare, 14"x5" black Noble & Cooley snare (back-up)

Cymbals

19" AAX X-Plosion crash, 14" AAX X-Celerator hi-hats, 19" AAX Stage crash, 10" Paragon splash, 22" AA Raw Bell Dry ride, 20" AAX X-Plosion crash, 20" Paragon crash, 20" Paragon china

Plus

DW hardware; LP Tambourine; Gibraltar table stand/mount; Pro-Mark 2B & 5B sticks; Guitammer Buttkicker attached to DW throne; DW 9000 DBL kick pedal; Rhythm Tech stick jinglers

MORE: My Chemical Romance's drum setup in pictures

Page 23 of 42
Page 23 of 42
Shannon Leto's Thirty Seconds To Mars kit
Sonor SQ2 Maple/Birch Hybrid Eco kit

Shannon Leto's Thirty Seconds To Mars kit

Drums

Sonor SQ2 Maple/Birch Hybrid Eco kit in ‘Echelon’ finish: 20"x19" kick, 8"x8", 10"x8", 12"x8", 14"x8" rack toms, 16"x16", 18"x16" floor toms, 14"x8" 23-ply hybrid maple/birch snare (all above with chrome hardware), 14"x6" Bronze artist series snare (black chrome hardware), 13"x5" 28-ply artist series Beachwood Camo finish snare with gold hardware

Cymbals

Sabian: 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry ride, 20" AAX Stage crash, 19" AAXplosion, 19" AAXtreme Chinese, 14" AA Rock hats, 14" AAX Mini Chinese, 10" AAX splash, 8" Chopper, 8" AA China splash

Hardware

DW: 8002 double kick pedal, 8000 hi-hat, 8000 single kick pedal for E-kick, custom-designed 9000 rack system with 9000 cymbal booms and no leg snare baskets, and mic stands

Plus

Vic Firth 5A Nylon sticks, Remo heads, Roland electronics (8 x PD-8 drum pads, KD-7, TD-12), Treehouse chimes, Roc-n-Soc throne, Buttkicker Concert shaker (Alesis DM5, Peavey CS-3000, DDrum Kick Trigger used to run the Buttkicker), Woodshed Percussion, Westone ES3X custom ear molds, Crystal Tibetan singing bowl, Shure microphones, Dragon Custom road cases

MORE: Thirty Seconds To Mars' drum setup in pictures

Page 24 of 42
Page 24 of 42
James Mack's Cirque Du Soleil percussion setup

James Mack's Cirque Du Soleil percussion setup

Percussion

LP Giovanni Palladium congas: quinto, conga, tumba and Super-Tumba (tuned in fourths); LP Generation IIAnniversary Edition bongos; LP Tito Puente Stainless Steel timbales; LP Cortez cajon; LP Wind Chimes, LP Bell Tree; djembes made in Guinea (with kessings and hand-skinned personally by James); Doumbek, tablas, Talking Drum, cuica, tambourim, shakers, darabouka, 13" dhol drum, ‘Glass Orchestra’

Cymbals

Zildjian: 20" Oriental china, 20" Oriental crash, 14" K china, 12" K splash, 8" A splash, 8" Zil Bell, 16" gong, 12" gong and 12" Temple Gong

Heads and sticks

Remo synthetic Skyndeep conga and bongo heads, calfskin heads on djembes and doun douns; Regal Tip ‘Ride’ drumsticks

MORE: The Cirque Du Soleil's percussion setup in pictures

Page 25 of 42
Page 25 of 42
Ian Matthews' Kasabian kit
DW Collectors Series

Ian Matthews' Kasabian kit

Drums

DW Collectors Series: 24"x16" kick drum; 13"x9" tom-tom; 16"x16” floor tom; 18"x16" floor tom; 14"x6.5" snare; 13"x3" side snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 14" New Beat hi-hats; 12" K splash; 18" K Dark crash; 22" K Custom Dry ride; 19" K crash; 19" K Hybrid china; 40" gong

Hardware, heads and sticks

DW 9000 Series pedals and hardware; Remo heads - Powerstroke 3 on kick, Emperors on toms, Ambassadors on snares; Vic Firth 5A and 7A sticks

MORE: Kasabian’s drum setup in pictures

Page 26 of 42
Page 26 of 42
Brendan Buckley's Shakira kit
DW Clear Acrylic kit

Brendan Buckley's Shakira kit

Drums

DW Clear Acrylic: 12"x8" rack tom; 14"x12" floor tom; 16"x14" floor tom; 22"x16" bass drum; 10"x6" Pacific Blackout snare drum; 14"x5.5" Pacific Ace snare drum

Cymbals

Sabian: Stack of 17" AAX Studio crash, 16" AAX Chinese, and 8" B8Pro splash; 18" AA El Sabor Brilliant crash; 14" HHX Groove hats; 19" Vault Brilliant crash; 21" HHX Dry ride; 19" HHX Extreme Brilliant crash; 8" HH splash on snare; 14" El Rayo on snare; 40" Chinese gong

Electronics

Roland SPD-30 Octapad; Roland TD-20sx; Roland PD-85 pads (x4); Roland PD 105x pads (x2); Roland KD-7 kick triggers (x2); Roland KD-140 kick trigger; Roland DB-90 metronome; Apple MacBook Pro; 13" (x2); Native Instruments Battery 3; Digidesign Pro-Tools 8 LE; Apple Logic Pro 9; Bias Peak LE 6; Furman PL-Plus C power conditioner; MOTU Ultralite MK3’s (x2); Glyph GT 050Q hard drives (x2); Radial SW8 a/b switcher; Midi Solutions splitter; Future Sonics in-ear monitors

Percussion

LP Matador bongos; LP mounted brass cyclops tambourine; Remo 9" doumbek; Remo 9" riq tambourine; LP cajon; Argentine bombo leguero

Heads

Remo Coated Ambassadors on snare batters; Ambassador Snares on snare bottoms; Clear Emperors on tom batters; Clear Ambassadors on tom bottoms and front kick; Clear Powerstroke 3 on kick batter; PureSound snare wires and speedball beaters

Plus

DW Super Rack; 5000 pedals, and 9000 series hardware; Vic Firth Sticks: 5AB wood tip sticks; SGWB Steve Gadd wire brushes; T1 timpani mallets; TW12 Tala Wands

MORE: Shakira's drum setup in pictures

Page 27 of 42
Page 27 of 42
Sam Fogarino's Interpol kit
Ludwig Classic Maple Series

Sam Fogarino's Interpol kit

Drums

Ludwig Classic Maple series: 26"x14" kick drum; 14"x11" rack tom; 16"x16" floor tom; 14"x6.5" Black Beauty or custom chrome/brass snare

Cymbals

Paiste: 20" crashes (x2); 22" ride; 21" ride with rivets; 14" hi-hat

Plus

Vic Firth 5B sticks; Akai MPC

MORE: Interpol's drum setup in pictures

Page 28 of 42
Page 28 of 42
Dave Grohl's Them Crooked Vultures kit
DW Jazz Series drums

Dave Grohl's Them Crooked Vultures kit

Drums

DW Jazz Series: 8" and 10" ‘Toy’ concert toms; 13" tom-tom; 16" and 18" floor toms; 24" bass drum; 20" gong drum; 14"x6.5" aluminium snare drum

Cymbals

Zildjian: 15" K hi-hats; 20" A Custom EFX crash; 20" A Custom crash; 19" K Custom China; 20" A Custom Rezo crash; 24" ZHT ride

Heads

Remo: White Coated Emperors on toms; Emperor X Black Dot on snare; Powerstroke 3 on bass drum

Sticks and hardware

3 Drumsticks: 5B-XL with acorn wood tip; DW 9000 hardware

MORE: Dave Grohl's drum setup revealed: Them Crooked Vultures

Page 29 of 42
Page 29 of 42
Dom Howard's Muse The Resistance tour kit
DW Collector's Series

Dom Howard's Muse The Resistance tour kit

Drums

DW Collector’s Series (Damask finish): 22"x20" bass drum; 12"x8", 14"x14" and 16"x16" toms; 14"x6.5" Collectors Series snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 14" Special Dry hats; 8" EFX 1; 12" Trash splash; 18" K Fast crash; 19" A Custom crash; 18" Oriental china; 22" K Medium ride

Electronics

Roland TD-20KX module, Native Instruments Battery

MORE: Muse's drum setup revealed: Dom Howard's kit in pictures

Page 30 of 42
Page 30 of 42
Gavin Harrison's Porcupine Tree kit
Sonor SQ2 kit

Gavin Harrison's Porcupine Tree kit

Drums

Sonor SQ2 kit in Golden Madrone finish: 8"x7", 10"x8" and 12"x9" tom toms; 15"x13" and 16"x14" floor toms; 22"x17" bass drum; 14"x5" Birch snare, 12"x5" Maple snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 22" Swish Knockers without rivets; 16" Oriental China trash; five custom-made chimes; 13" K hi-hats; 18" K crash; 7" and 9" Custom Crash Bells; 15" A Custom crash; 20" K ride; 18" A Custom crash; 12" Oriental China Trash; 18" Z Custom china

Heads

Remo heads: Vintage Coated Emperors on toms, Clear Ambassadors on resonant side; Powerstroke 3 Clear on kick batter, Standard Sonor head on resonant side; Coated CS on snare, Hazy Ambassador on resonant side

Pedal, sticks and electronics

Axis A21 Double Pedal; Vic Firth Rock Hickory sticks; Korg Wavedrum

MORE: Gavin Harrison's drum setup revealed: Porcupine Tree's kit in pictures

Page 31 of 42
Page 31 of 42
Joey Jordison's Slipknot kit
Pearl Reference Series

Joey Jordison's Slipknot kit

Drums

Pearl Reference Series: 8"x7", 10"x8", 12"x9" and 14"x10" toms; 16"x16" and 18"x16" floor toms; 22"x18" bass drum (x2); 20"x14" gong drum; 14"x6.5" snare drum; 12"x6", 15"x6", 18"x6" and 21"x6" quarter toms (not pictured)

Cymbals

Paiste 2002 Series: 14" Wild hats; 6", 8", 10" splashes; 16" (x2), 17", 18", 19" (x2) Power crashes; 20" & 22" Wild Chinas; 22" Power ride

Heads, sticks, hardware and pedal

Remo heads; Pro-Mark Joey Jordison signature sticks; Pearl hardware (including Demon Drive double pedal)

MORE: Slipknot's Joey Jordison's drum setup in pictures

Page 32 of 42
Page 32 of 42
Travis Barker's Blink 182/solo kit
Orange County Drums & Percussion cocktail kit

Travis Barker's Blink 182/solo kit

Drums

Orange County Drums & Percussion cocktail kit: 15"x24" bass drum/floor tom; 10"x6"; 8"x6" snare; 13” main ‘hip-hop snare, 10” side snare

Heads

Remo: clear Emperor on top, clear Ambassador on bottom; snare: coated Emperor on top, Ambassador on bottom (or Emperor X on ‘hip-hop snare’)

Cymbals

Zildjian A Custom: 14”, 12” or 13” hi-hats; several splashes; a ‘drier’ ride; a couple of crashes

Hardware, electronics and extras

DW hardware and pedal; MPC, Roland edrums; gogo bell, jam block and cowbell

MORE: Travis Barker's drum setup: Blink-182/solo drummer's kit in pictures

Page 33 of 42
Page 33 of 42
Steve Gadd's kit
Yamaha Steve Gadd Custom

Steve Gadd's kit

Drums

Yamaha Steve Gadd Custom Kit (Eric Clapton Tour): 12"x8", 13"x9", 14"x12", 16"x14" birch toms with triple flanged hoops; 22"x14" maple bass drum; two 14"x5.5" Yamaha Steve Gadd signature steel shell snare drums with wood or die-cast hoops

Hardware and pedals

Yamaha: four cymbal stands; hi-hat stand; snare stand and floor mount; tom stand; double bass drum pedals with felt beaters

Cymbals

Zildjian: 14" top hi-hat (age unknown, but bought used in the ’60s); 14" A Custom bottom hat with eight rivets; 15" A Custom with eight rivets; 18" K Dark Thin crash; 20" Avedis Classic Orchestral; 20" K Zildjian Medium Thin Low

Heads

Remo: Ambassador Coated batter heads to toms and bass drum; Ambassador Clear resonant heads; Powerstroke-3 coated batter heads to snare; Diplomat Clear to snare side

Sticks and extras

Vic Firth Steve Gadd signature sticks and brushes; music stand and stick table custom made by The Vintage DrumYard; TamaRW105 Metronome for count-ins where needed; Beato Soft Cases.

MORE: Steve Gadd's drum setup: legendary session drummer's kit in pictures

Page 34 of 42
Page 34 of 42
Abe Cunningham's Deftones kit
Tama Starclassic Bubinga

Abe Cunningham's Deftones kit

Drums

Tama Starclassic Bubinga: 22"x18" kick, 12"x9", 13"x10", 16"x16" and 18"x18" toms; 14"x5.5" and 13"x6" snares

Cymbals

Zildjian: 15" A Custom Mastersound hats; 22" A Custom ride; 21" Rock crash; 20" Medium Thin crash; 20" Oriental; 19" Rock crash; 8" & 10" K splashes

Heads

Remo heads: Snare, Black Max marching snare head; toms, Emperors, coated or clear; kick, Powerstroke 3 clear batter, Ambassador resonant

Sticks

Pro-Mark Abe Cunningham signature Sticks

MORE: Deftones drum setup: Abe Cunningham's kit in pictures

Page 35 of 42
Page 35 of 42
KJ Sawka's Pendulum kit
Tama Starclassic Bubinga

KJ Sawka's Pendulum kit

Drums

Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit in Dark Mocha fade (matte) with brushed nickel hardware: 20"x18" kick; 8"x6" & 10"x6.5" tom toms; 14"x12" and 16"x14" floor toms (with legs); 14"x6" Warlord Collection Masai Bubinga snare; 12"x4" Metalworks ST1240BN snare in black nickel-plated steel

Cymbals

Meinl: 14" Soundcaster Medium crash with a 6" Byzance Brilliant splash on top; 18" Byzance traditional flat china; 18" Byzance Brilliant Thin crash with 8" Classics low bell on top; 12" Byzance traditional mini-hats with 8" mini-hat on top (8" Byzance dark splash and 8" Classic China splash); 10" Soundcaster Custom splash; 12" Generation X Electro Stack effect cymbals; 10" Classic Mini hi-hat; 18" Soundcaster Medium crash with Classics Medium bell effect on top; 20" Byzance Traditional Thin ride; 16" Soundcaster Fusion Trash crash; 13" Soundcaster Fusion Medium hi-hat top; 18" Byzance Dark china; 14" Byzance Brilliant Thin crash with 6" Byzance Traditional splash on top

Hardware and pedals

Tama: Lever Glide HH905 hi-hat stand; Road Pro HS700WN snare stands (x2); Road Pro HC73BWN cymbal boom stands (x5); Ergo-Rider Hydraulix ‘Cloth Top’ HT750C throne; Iron Cobra double pedal; Power Kick PK20 (kick drum foam dampener)

MORE: Pendulum's drum setup revealed: KJ Sawka's kit in pictures

Page 36 of 42
Page 36 of 42
Creighton Barrett's Band Of Horses kit
Gretsch Renown

Creighton Barrett's Band Of Horses kit

Drums

Gretsch Renown in Ruby Red Sparkle: 14” tom; 18” floor tom

Snare

Ludwig Black Beauty

Cymbals

Zildjian K (including a 22” light ride which Creighton keeps breaking!)

MORE: Band Of Horses' drum setup in pictures

Page 37 of 42
Page 37 of 42
Benny Horowitz's Gaslight Anthem kit
Dark Horse Percussion kit

Benny Horowitz's Gaslight Anthem kit

Drums

Dark Horse Percussion kit: 12” toms; 18” floor tom (live); vintage Gretsch kit and vintage Ludwig snare (studio)

Cymbals

Sabian AA and AAX; Zildjian ride

MORE: The Gaslight Anthem's drum setup in pictures

Page 38 of 42
Page 38 of 42
Thomas Lang's kit
DW Collector's Series

Thomas Lang's kit

Drums

DW Collector’s Series drums in Solid Black Lacquer: 22"x18" (x2) kick drums; 8"x7", 10"x8", 12"x9" rack toms; 16"x14", 18"x16" floor toms on legs; 14"x6" main snare; 12"x4" second snare; 20" gong drum

Cymbals

Meinl: 13" Byzance Brilliant Fast hi-hats; 14" Soundcaster Fusion Medium hi-hats; 12" Generation X Safari hi-hats; 8" Classics Bells Effect cymbals; 20" Soundcaster Fusion Powerful ride; 16" and 18" Soundcaster Fusion Medium crashes; 18" Byzance Jazz Medium Thin crash; 17" Byzance Jazz Medium Thin crash; 14" Generation X Filter china; 16" Generation X Filter china; 19" Generation X crash; 10" Soundcaster Fusion splash

Hardware and pedals

DW: 9700 boom stand (x10); 9000 single pedal (x2), 9500TB hi-hat stand (x2); 9100M throne; 9300 snare stand; 9303 piccolo snare stand

Heads and sticks

Remo: Clear Emperors on toms; Powerstroke 3 on kick; Coated CS on snare; Vic Firth Signature Series

MORE: Thomas Lang and Benny Greb's drum setups in pictures

Page 39 of 42
Page 39 of 42
Benny Greb's kit
Sonor SQ2 Vintage Beech

Benny Greb's kit

Drums

Sonor SQ2 Vintage Beech in White Pearl: 22"x18" bass drum; 10"x8" tom tom; 14"x14" floor tom; 16"x16" floor tom; 13"x6.5" snare; 12"x5" snare

Cymbals

Meinl: 14" Byzance Extra Dry hi-hats; 8" Byzance Traditional Thin splash; 18" Byzance Extra Dry crash; 20" Benny Greb Sand ride; 12" Generation X Trash hat; 22" Byzance Extra Thin Jazz ride; 18" Byzance Jazz Extra Thin crash

Hardware and pedal

Sonor 600 Series; Giant Step pedal

Heads and sticks

Remo Coated Emperors on top; Remo Ambassadors on the bottom; Powerstroke 3 on the bass drum; Pro-Mark 5BG sticks

MORE: Thomas Lang and Benny Greb's drum setups in pictures

Page 40 of 42
Page 40 of 42
Michael Thomas's Bullet For My Valentine kit
Pearl Reference Series

Michael Thomas's Bullet For My Valentine kit

Drums

Pearl Reference Series: 24"x20" kick drums (x2); 20" gong drums (x2); 10"x8", 12"x9" and 14"x11" tom tom; 16"x16" floor tom; 14"x5.5" snare

Cymbals

Zildjian: 18" and 19" A Custom Medium crashes; 20" Z Custom Medium crash; 20” Oriental Classic china; 22" Z Custom Mega Bell ride; 14" A Mastersound hi-hats; 8" K splash; 10" K splash

Heads, sticks and hardware

Remo Ambassador heads; Vic Firth Signature Series sticks; Pearl pedals and rack

MORE: Bullet For My Valentine's drum setup in pictures

Page 41 of 42
Page 41 of 42
Roy Mayorga's Stone Sour kit
DW Collector's Series

Roy Mayorga's Stone Sour kit

Drums

DW Collector’s Maple Kit: 24"x18" bass drum; 14"x8" and 13"x8" tom; 18"x16" and 16"x16" floor tom; 15"x6" Rata drums (x2); 21"x16" Gong drum

Cymbals

Sabian cymbals: APX 15" hi-hats 18" and 20" APX crash; 22" Paragon crash; 22" HH China; 19" Chinese Explosion; 24" Roy Mayorga ride

Heads

Evans: G2 coated snare batter; Hazy snare resonant; coated tom heads; EMAD II bass drum batter; EQ3 bass drum resonant head

Hardware and software

DW hardware; Logic Pro

MORE: Stone Sour's drum setup in pictures: Roy Mayorga shows off his kit

Liked this? Now read: Studios of the pros: stars' recording setups in pictures

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Page 42 of 42
Page 42 of 42
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Tom Porter
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Tom Porter worked on MusicRadar from its mid-2007 launch date to 2011, covering a range of music and music making topics, across features, gear news, reviews, interviews and more. A regular NAMM-goer back in the day, Tom now resides permanently in Los Angeles, where he's doing rather well at the Internet Movie Database (IMDB).

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