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
  • Plugin Week 2026
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • World in Motion
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The genius of Clive Davis
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (April 2012)

News
By Rhythm magazine, Si Truss published 3 April 2012

Kits, snares and more

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

Drum gear of the month: April 2012

Drum gear of the month: April 2012

Every month MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm, Future Music and Guitar Techniques - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

This is a collection of kits, percussion, accessories and more from Rhythm Magazine's gruelling testing process. First reviewed in Rhythm issue 201 and published on MusicRadar throughout March.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: a new e-kit from Alesis

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Alesis DM10 X Kit

Alesis DM10 X Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

There is plenty that impresses with this electronic kit.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Alesis DM10 X Kit

(Reviewed in Rhythm Magazine issue 201)

BUY: Alesis DM10 X Kit currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
EcHo Custom Drums Custom Snare Drums

EcHo Custom Drums Custom Snare Drums

MusicRadar’s verdict:

It's hard to see how EcHo can improve on this first collection of metal shell snares, which are superb in every department.

FULL REVIEW: EcHo Custom Drums Custom Snare Drums

(Reviewed in Rhythm Magazine issue 201)

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Gretsch GS1 Kit

Gretsch GS1 Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Scoring almost maximum points for quality and value, the GS1 is a package that's hard to beat.

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch GS1 Kit

(Reviewed in Rhythm Magazine issue 201)

BUY: Gretsch GS1 Kit currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Mapex Black Panther Collection Retrosonic Drum Kit

Mapex Black Panther Collection Retrosonic Drum Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

A kit that's thoroughly modern in construction but with a vintage appeal.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mapex Black Panther Collection Retrosonic Drum Kit

(Reviewed in Rhythm Magazine issue 201)

BUY: Mapex Black Panther Collection Retrosonic Drum Kit currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Drum gear of the month: March 2012

Drum gear of the month: March 2012

Now read: Drum gear of the month: March 2012

Ludwig Accent 100 Power Kit

Duende Pro Cajon

Istanbul Agop Art20 Cymbal Set

Ahead Armor stick and cymbal bags

Duende Elite Cajon

Natal Walnut Kit

Protection Racket drum cases

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Drum gear of the month: February 2012

Drum gear of the month: February 2012

Now read: Drum gear of the month: February 2012

Odery Eyedentity Series drums

Worldmax Traditional Black Wood Hoop Snares

DrumCraft Double Drop-Clutch

Natal Steel Shell Snares

Roland SPD-SX

Silverstone Drum Thrones

Pearl Masters Premium Legend Kit

Drumport drum insert

Meinl HCS Cymbal Pack

Performance Percussion PP142 Cajon

Dixon Black Widow Drums

Ludwig The Brick

Ludwig Corey Miller Snare

Ludwig Joey Kramer Model

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Si Truss
Si Truss
Social Links Navigation

I'm the Managing Editor of Music Technology at MusicRadar and former Editor-in-Chief of Future Music, Computer Music and Electronic Musician. I've been messing around with music tech in various forms for over two decades. I've also spent the last 10 years forgetting how to play guitar. Find me in the chillout room at raves complaining that it's past my bedtime.


Read more
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
 
 
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
 
 
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
Rear view Donner Groove Ultra kit in a warehouse
Electronic Drums “Despite this minimalist footprint, it’s one of the sturdiest racks I’ve tested in this price bracket”: Donner Groove Ultra electronic drum set review
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
Drummer wearing headphones shot from behind an electronic drum set
Drummers Best headphones for drummers 2026: sound isolation for the studio, rehearsal room and stage
 
 
Latest in Drum Gear
Yamaha EAD50 on a blue wooden floor surrounded by drumsticks
Drum Gear “An immensely powerful tool for recording, live use, rehearsing and practising, teaching, live streaming and more”: Yamaha EAD50 review
 
 
DW Drums 9000X detail
Drum Gear “More drummer-friendly than ever”: Drum Workshop launch updated version of their 9000 series of stands and hardware
 
 
Zultan Raw mini hi-hats
Cymbals “Chunky, organic, trashy and very characterful”: Zultan Raw 8” Mini Hi-Hat review
 
 
Zultan Alaris cymbal set
Cymbals “Well balanced and sit wonderfully with each other in terms of pitch”: Zultan Alaris Cymbals 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
 
 
Latest in News
GLAS-2
Gigs & Festivals There's no Glastonbury this year, but this movie is here to show you what it looked and sounded like in 1993
 
 
Sombr and Taylor Swift at the 55th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 11, 2026 in New York, New York.
Artists Sombr reflects on being asked to perform in honour of Taylor Swift after she called him "the future"
 
 
Tupac Shakur performing at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois in March 1994
Samples Want to recreate the classic sound of golden age '90s hip-hop? Download this pack of 537 free samples from SampleRadar
 
 
Kramer 50th Anniversary Collection
Guitars Kramer marks 50 years of shred with a gold metallic makeover for its high-performance lineup
 
 
Arturia Rev Ocean
Tech Arturia’s new Ocean-inspired reverb will turn your sounds “into a living sonic current”
 
 
Joe Bonamassa
Artists “It just sounds like me”: Why Joe Bonamassa’s tribute to Rory Gallagher didn’t turn out as expected
 
 

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...