Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

Great gear in this month's Rhythm

News
By Chris Burke published 24 April 2013

May's Rhythm, on sale now, is packed to the gills with expert reviews of tasty new gear

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Tama Star drum kits

Tama Star drum kits

Tama reveals the primary goal with the Star series was to re-examine every detail of their flagship Starclassic series "to enhance shell resonance". This has led to some interesting solutions and surprising retro features on the two kits sent to Rhythm for review - one in maple, finished in Satin Antique Brown, and the other in bubinga with a Dark Green Cordia finish.

What did Rhythm's Geoff Nicholls make of the kits? Find out in this month's Rhythm!

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Ludwig Acrolite Limited Edition Snares

Ludwig Acrolite Limited Edition Snares

Celebrating 50 years of the famed Acrolite, Ludwig has released these special edition snares in all-over brushed aluminium. The Acrolite is undoubtedly a classic drum, so do these new snares do the name justice? Find out in the June issue of Rhythm!

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Sabian Cymbal Vote winners

Sabian Cymbal Vote winners

Following a vote on the shortlisted 2013 Cymbal Vote Winners at Sabian's website, these four were chosen and duly sent for review to Rhythm HQ. So we have the AAX Air Splash, AAX X-plosion hats, AAX Freq Crash and AA Bash Ride up for scrutiny. How did they fare? Find out in this month's Rhythm!

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Overtone Labs Tune-bot

Overtone Labs Tune-bot

Unlike other tuners, the Tune-bot doesn't measure the physical tension in the head or tuning rods but instead judges the pitch of the had via on onboard microphone. So is it the solution to the age-old problem of drum tuning? Expert reviewer Adam Jones gives it a go in this month's Rhythm!

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Premier One Series snares

Premier One Series snares

Under the guidance of former KD Drums supremo Keith Keough, Premier returns to UK manufacturing with a pair of unique, handmade snares. The first is the 'Type 1' Bowood, constructed of 12 plies of old Georgian oak and cherry, all running horizontally, with an outer veneer of wild English walnut. The second is a 'Type 3' Balmoral, constructed of 15 plies of birch and African mahogany, with the plies laid vertically. How great are these drums? Geoff Nicholls rates them in this month's Rhythm!

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Chris Burke
Read more
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
Roland TD-716 e-kit in a rehearsal room with a Marshall cab in the background
Electronic Drums Best Roland electronic drum sets 2026: my top Roland V-Drums for beginner to pro drummers
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
Zultan Raw mini hi-hats
Cymbals “Chunky, organic, trashy and very characterful”: Zultan Raw 8” Mini Hi-Hat review
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
Superbooth header
Tech Superbooth 2026: all the latest synth news from Berlin - LIVE!
 
 
Latest in Drum Gear
Zultan Raw mini hi-hats
Cymbals “Chunky, organic, trashy and very characterful”: Zultan Raw 8” Mini Hi-Hat review
 
 
Zultan 25 series
Cymbals “A versatile set with dry and dark tonal qualities”: Zultan 25 Series Cymbals review
 
 
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
Drums “An extremely well-thought-out and all-encompassing piece of drum education”: Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook review
 
 
Man jams with a guitar player and bass player on an electronic drum kit
Drum Gear These huge drum deals at Sweetwater are about to disappear – here’s your last chance to bag up to 60% off electronic drums, cymbals, sticks and more
 
 
Sleep Token drummer II Drumeo
Drum Gear “I’ve taken inspiration from the UK dance music scene": Mixwave put Sleep Token’s drummer in a plugin
 
 
DW SonicPly
Drum Gear Neil Peart called him 'the Wood Whisperer' and now he's blended metal and timber in DW's new SonicPly shells
 
 
Latest in News
Taylor Swift Randy Newman
Artists Taylor Swift thanks “the incomparable” Randy Newman as she releases her Toy Story 5 song
 
 
antonoff
Tech “It’s boring to know what you’re doing in the studio – once you know what you’re doing, the magic leaves”: Jack Antonoff on why music production "expertise" is overrated
 
 
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 01: Olivia Rodrigo performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic)
Artists “They inspire me to be weirder and more myself”: Olivia Rodrigo names her current favourite band
 
 
Meris Ottobit X
Guitars Meris unveils the Ottobit X, a high-end purveyor of lo-fi guitar sounds inspired by the ‘80s
 
 
Harley Benton ST-Modern HH 2026: New models with metallic finishes.
Guitars Harley Benton unleashes a $185 shred-ready hotrod with a roasted maple neck and dual-humbuckers
 
 
American Pop Rock musician Christopher Cross plays electric guitar as he performs onstage at Greenwich Village's Bottom Line, New York, New York, May 28, 1980. His instrument is a Fender twin-neck, six & twelve string guitar.
Artists Christopher Cross admits that he "ripped off" Paul McCartney on Ride Like The Wind
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...