Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Software & Apps
  • Controllers
  • Buying Guides
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • About us
More
  • Styles' sonic secret
  • I'm Still Standing
  • Stevie Wonder’s '70s synth guru
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (August 2014)

News
By Rhythm
Published 4 August 2014

All of July's drum gear reviews

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

Tama Silverstar Cocktail-JAM kit

Tama Silverstar Cocktail-JAM kit

Every issue, Rhythm magazine reviews the latest drums, hardware, cymbals, percussion and other drum-related accessories.

Here we’ve gathered all of the reviews featured on the site throughout July, all of which was originally reviewed in Rhythm magazine issue 229/230/231, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A kit this size is always going to involve compromises, but while the kit is well made, the quality of sound on offer is, in our opinion, a compromise too far.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tama Silverstar Cocktail-JAM kit review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 229)

BUY: Tama Silverstar Cocktail-JAM kit currently available from:
UK:Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
Meinl Byzance Vintage Pure Rides

Meinl Byzance Vintage Pure Rides

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A little off the beaten track but no less superb for it, these rides are as rich in tone and colour as their appearances. They're not cheap, but instruments with this much character justify the outlay.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Meinl Byzance Vintage Pure Rides review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 229)

BUY: Meinl Byzance Vintage Pure Rides currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
Evans Heavyweight drum heads

Evans Heavyweight drum heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“These Heavyweight heads do exactly what they say on the tin by delivering rock-solid heads for hard hitters.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Evans Heavyweight drum heads review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 229)

BUY: Evans Heavyweight drum heads currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Liberty Avant Series Kit

Liberty Avant Series Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Liberty continues to evolve and this latest Avant kit is the best yet. Well designed and built to exacting high standards with unique lugs and a badge to be proud of.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Liberty Avant Series Kit review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 229)

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
Mapex Black Panther Nomad Snare

Mapex Black Panther Nomad Snare

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Mapex has delivered another highly playable, wonderful-sounding snare drum. As its mentor intended, it's a snare suitable for a wide variety of moods and styles and is great value to boot.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mapex Black Panther Nomad Snare review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 229)

BUY: Mapex Black Panther Nomad Snare currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Bosphorus Master Vintage cymbal

Bosphorus Master Vintage cymbal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“These unique cymbals truly deserve the appellation 'Master Vintage'.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Bosphorus Master Vintage cymbal review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 230)

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Pearl SensiTone Metal Shell snares

Pearl SensiTone Metal Shell snares

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Always popular and attractively priced, the rejuvenated SensiTone snares are cleverly designed and gimmick- free. There's a cool sounding model to suit every pocket.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pearl SensiTone Metal Shell snares review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 230)

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
UFIP Natural cymbals

UFIP Natural cymbals

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This versatile range features something for a staggering array of tastes, but it's the dark Natural cymbals that particularly caught our attention.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UFIP Natural cymbals review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 230)

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
UFIP Extatic cymbals

UFIP Extatic cymbals

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Extatic range will thrive in a pop environment, but it's also well worth a look for those on the hunt for articulate funk and fusion cymbals.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UFIP Extatic cymbals review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 230)

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Gretsch Gold Series Aluminium Shell Snare

Gretsch Gold Series Aluminium Shell Snare

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This aluminium shell drum with maple hoops has a great sound, slightly let down visually by the ordinary looking strainer.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch Gold Series Aluminium Shell Snare review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 231)

BUY: Gretsch Gold Series Aluminium Shell Snare currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
Paiste PST7 Series cymbals

Paiste PST7 Series cymbals

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The PST7s are hugely impressive, smooth and clean - and the three weights will cover most styles.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Paiste PST7 Series cymbals review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 231)

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
Tama Star Classic Performer B/B kit

Tama Star Classic Performer B/B kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The list of Tama endorsees who rate the Starclassic Performer B/B verges on the encyclopaedic and it's not difficult to see why. It's a solid, pro-level kit that, at this price, is absurdly good value.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tama Star Classic Performer B/B kit review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 231)

BUY: Tama Star Classic Performer B/B kit currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
Rhythm
Read more
A Roland e-kit on a rider with a Roland PM-200 monitor sat on the floor
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum amps 2026: Expert-tested drum monitors for every budget
 
 
Roland SPD-SX Pro
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum pads 2026: for sampling, looping and live hybrid setups
 
 
Millenium Drums MPS-350X
Electronic Drums “It’s hard to argue with the amount of features on offer here for such an affordable price”: Millenium Drums MPS-350 E-Drum Set review
 
 
Roland TD-07DMK2
Electronic Drums “Ticks all the right boxes for budding drummers”: Roland TD-07DMK2 review
 
 
Millenium Drums MPS-1500
Electronic Drums The new Millenium Drums MPS-1500 e-kit could be the hybrid drum set you've been looking for
 
 
Roland TD-07KV2 kit on a rug next to a Marshall amp
Electronic Drums “This new rack trims the often labour-intensive task of setting up an e-kit by a fair margin”: Roland TD-07KV2 review
 
 
Latest in Drum Gear
Millenium Drums MPS-1500
Electronic Drums The new Millenium Drums MPS-1500 e-kit could be the hybrid drum set you've been looking for
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in News
Angine de Poitrine with 3 members
Bands “Maybe they’re a virtuoso on their home planet”: Angine De Poitrine add a third member… on triangle
 
 
James Hypes' 16 CDJ rig
Djs “I’m not sure it’s even possible”: James Hype says he’s going to try to mix 1,000 tracks in two hours
 
 
Jimmy Jam and Prince
Artists Jimmy Jam on how Prince's relentless work ethic made everyone around him raise their game
 
 
Bono and The Edge
Bands The Edge asked AI to come up with a U2 song: “They couldn’t” says guitarist
 
 
A laptop in a music studio with Universal Audio plugins running on it
Gear & Gadgets With so many amazing music gear sales live, you'd be forgiven for thinking today is Black Friday - here's 8 you can shop right now
 
 
Guitar Tricks Black Friday deal graphic
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials My favourite online guitar tuition platform just dropped to $99 for Black Friday - save $800 on a huge lessons bundle
 
 

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...