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
  • Eloise's guitar journey
  • Keef's greatest hit
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Led Zep's Rain Song
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (April 2016)

News
By Rhythm published 29 March 2016

All of the latest drum gear

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

Alesis Nitro E-Kit

Alesis Nitro E-Kit

Our drum boffins team have been inundated with the finest that the drum and percussion world has to offer this month. Here, we look back on all of the reviews that appeared on the site in April. We start with a spanking new budget e-kit from Alesis, the Nitro.

MusicRadar's Verdict

"Yes, the Nitro is a rebranded, slightly abridged, version of the Alesis DM7X kit, it nevertheless retains an incredible spec at an impressively competitive price tag."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Alesis Nitro review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Alesis Nitro currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
DW John Good Tuning Table

DW John Good Tuning Table

MusicRadar's Verdict

“The table looks smart and functions more or less as expected. Without doubt, higher quality than the majority of DIY jobs but comes at an astronomical price.”

FULL REVIEW: DW John Good Tuning Table review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: DW John Good Tuning Table currently available from:
US: Full Compass

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Tama Iron Cobra

Tama Iron Cobra

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Tama has once again excelled itself with the upgraded Cobra family.”

FULL REVIEW: Tama Iron Cobra review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Tama Iron Cobra currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
PDP Classic Wood Hoop Drum Kit

PDP Classic Wood Hoop Drum Kit

MusicRadar's Verdict

“This set is a great sounding cost-effective alternative to DW's flagship drum range.”

FULL REVIEW: PDP Classic Wood Hoop Drum Kit review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: PDP Classic Wood Hoop Drum Kit currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Roland PowerPly Mesh Heads

Roland PowerPly Mesh Heads

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Roland gives any drummer the choice of easy hybrid conversion.”

FULL REVIEW: Roland PowerPly Mesh Heads review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Roland PowerPly Mesh Heads currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Tama Speed Cobra

Tama Speed Cobra

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Tama has once again excelled itself with the upgraded Cobra family.”

FULL REVIEW: Tama Speed Cobra review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Tama Speed Cobra currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Rhythm
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 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
 
 
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
 
 
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
 
 
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
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Sienna Spiro performs during her "The Visitor" Tour at The Roundhouse on May 19, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Artists “I have vocal nodes": Breakout star Sienna Spiro's distinctive singing voice comes at a cost
 
 
audioroute
Tech This time-saving tool can sample YouTube, Spotify or any other app with a single keyboard shortcut
 
 
The Gibson Custom Historic Reissue 1959 and 1962 ES-330
Guitars Gibson unveils exquisite Custom Shop Historic Reissues of the 1959 and ’62 ES-330s
 
 
Beatles Day banner
Singles And Albums Apple to celebrate World Beatles Day by uploading colourised version of All You Need Is Love
 
 
John Mayer takes a solo on his signature PRS Silver Sky at the 2025 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival.
Artists John Mayer says he has already used his signature Neural DSP plugin on record – but on which songs?
 
 
An Apple MacBook Neo on a studio desk with MIDI controller, audio interface, studio monitors, and studio headphones. The MusicRadar deals logo is in the top right corner.
Computers I stress-tested the MacBook Neo for music production and failed to topple it - now, with £50 off for Prime Day it’s the only budget laptop I’m recommending to musicians
 
 

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...