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
  • Synth Week 26
  • 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
Don't miss these
Rhodes MK8
Keyboards & Pianos “An undeniable classic, for the modern age”: Rhodes MK8 review
Harley Benton JA-Baritone HH BK
Guitars Harley Benton drops a sub-$250 baritone that proves you can do low tunings at low prices – and stay fashionably offset
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off a stylish Gibson SG, $100 off an affordable Martin acoustic, hearty discounts on studio headphones and much more
Harley Benton BassTheWorld MV-JB Plus: the Burgundy Mist J-style challenges our preconceptions of the Thomann-owned brand with a high-end build
Guitars Budget gear giant Harley Benton goes high-end for BassTheWorld signature bass
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
A pair of Kali Audio LP-6 V2 studio monitors on a studio desk
Studio Monitors Best budget studio monitors 2026: Make your mixes sing with these wallet-friendly home studio speakers
Akai MPC Sample
Samplers Akai MPC Sample review
A pair of KRK GoAux studio monitors on a studio desk
Studio Monitors Best small studio monitors 2026: Compact studio speakers
Gretsch Synchromatic Flacon close up of pickguard
Electric Guitars Best Gretsch guitars 2026: Nail that Gretsch sound at any price point
Nord Piano 6
Keyboards & Pianos Best stage pianos 2026: Our pick of the finest keyboards for live performance
Elektron Tonverk
Samplers “Easily one of the most inspirational and accessible Elektrons we've used”: Elektron Tonverk review
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2026: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
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
Casio Casiotone CT-1
Keyboards & Pianos Best electronic keyboards 2026: Our top picks for every budget
More
  • Synth Week 2026
  • Ultravox's Vienna
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Elektron Tonverk Review
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

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

News
By Rhythm published 9 August 2016

All of the latest drum reviews

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

Gretsch Bell Brass Snare Drum

Gretsch Bell Brass Snare Drum

The summer has brought some stunning gear to the MusicRadar office. Our drummers have been particularly spoilt as top-name kits, snares and more have come in.

Here, we look back on all of the drum reviews that appeared on the site in July. We start with a chunk of seriously heavy metal in the form of the Gretsch Bell Brass snare.

MusicRadar's verdict

"A very loud drum that is surprisingly versatile but certainly suited for heavy styles due to its ability to slice through the mix. Heavy in more ways than one."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch Bell Brass snare drum

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Stagg CAJ-60M Mac Cajon

Stagg CAJ-60M Mac Cajon

MusicRadar's verdict

" As ever with Stagg you get a well-made honest product at a price which does not feel like you're being taken for a ride.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Stagg CAJ-60M Mac Cajon

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Yamaha Manu Katche Junior Kit

Yamaha Manu Katche Junior Kit

MusicRadar's verdict

"Yamaha's dedication to building great kits across the board has come through once again. Forget the kids and think of this as a hugely viable second kit for portability, easy set-up and great sounds."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha Manu Katche Junior Kit

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Yamaha Manu Katche Junior Kit currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
UFIP Bionic Cymbals

UFIP Bionic Cymbals

MusicRadar's verdict

"This is a fantastic set of cymbals which will be equally at home in a rock or metal environment and many other genres too."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UFIP Bionic cymbals

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Pearl Session Studio Classic

Pearl Session Studio Classic

MusicRadar's verdict

"Pearl offers a decent amount of bang for your buck with the SSC. With a highly versatile tuning range and a crisp attack, this kit promises to be a strong contender in the mid-range market."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pearl Session Studio Classic

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Pearl Session Studio Classic currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Rhythm
Read more
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $390 off a divisive Fender Stratocaster, $180 off a stunning Gretsch and hundreds off PA and live gear
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score hundreds off PRS, Bose, and Moog - and grab a new guitar pedal for less than £10!
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off a stylish Gibson SG, $100 off an affordable Martin acoustic, hearty discounts on studio headphones and much more
 
 
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
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
 
 
Zultan Cymbals
Drum Gear "Crafted from Heritage. Tuned for Tomorrow": Zultan Cymbals celebrate their 25th birthday with a new high-end 25 series
 
 
Latest in News
Neural DSP Darklgass Ultra
Bass Guitars Neural DSP unveils the Darkglass Ultimate plugin – a fully featured digital platform for studio-quality bass tone
 
 
osmose ce
Tech Expressive E launches Osmose CE, a MIDI controller version of its MPE-equipped synth
 
 
Harley Benton JA-Baritone HH BK
Guitars Harley Benton drops a sub-$250 baritone that proves you can do low tunings at low prices – and stay fashionably offset
 
 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 28: Jack Antonoff appears on SiriusXM's 'The Howard Stern Show' at SiriusXM Studios on April 28, 2026 in New York City.  (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Artists "The greatest recording ever made”: Jack Antonoff on the crazy genius of his favourite Beatles song
 
 
iZotope RX 12 Advanced
Tech iZotope upgrades RX with a film-focused stem separation module and improved machine learning
 
 
Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem demoes his signature '59 Telecaster Custom, a new for 2026 limited edition model from the Fender Custom Shop.
Artists Fender releases the Brian Fallon ’59 Telecaster Custom, a high-end replica of the guitar that built the Gaslight Anthem sound
 
 

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...