New drum gear of the month: review round-up (August 2012)
July's drum products at a glance
Every month, MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - 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 205 and published on MusicRadar throughout July.
Scroll on for this month's top picks and click through to read each product's full review. First up: a tasty cajon from De Gregorio.
The cajon's portability is well known and De Gregorio now offers an über-compact professional travel version
De Gregorio Siroco Cajon (£390)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Far from any notion of 'novelty-value', the Siroco is a highly professional instrument in every sense of the word.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: De Gregorio Siroco Cajon
(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 205)
BUY: De Gregorio Siroco Cajon currently available from:
UK: Thomann
German design excellence meets Chinese manufacturing expertise in this well-appointed package
DrumCraft Series 8 Maple Kit (£1199)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“GEWA clearly has serious aspirations for DrumCraft, as this kit demonstrates - it's definitely a brand to watch.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: DrumCraft Series 8 Maple Kit
(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 205)
There's nothing cheap about Paiste's PST8 cymbals - other than the price, that is…
Paiste PST8 cymbals (from £56.95)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Other than the prices, there are few signs of the PST8's budget status. It's Swiss business as usual.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Paiste PST8 cymbals
(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 205)
BUY: Paiste PST8 cymbals currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
The evaluation of Tama's Sound Lab Project drums concludes with some tasty wooden snares
Tama SLP Wooden Snare Drums (from £259)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Tama has done a fine job of narrowing down the choice of snare drums and, in among these eight SLP snares, you're likely to find at least one to suit.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Tama SLP Wooden Snare Drums
(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 205)
BUY: Tama SLP Wooden Snare Drums currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Zildjian introduces a pair of classy rides and a sparkling Trash-Smash to its K Custom contemporary jazz line
Zildjian K Custom new additions (from 393)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Two gorgeous looking rides - plus a hit-and-run Trash-Smash - make excellent additions to the range.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Zildjian K Custom new additions
(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 205)
BUY: Zildjian K Custom new additions currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater