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New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2011)

By Rhythm magazine, Tom Porter
published 1 July 2011

Kits, edrums, cymbals, software and more

Drum gear of the month: June 2011

Drum gear of the month: June 2011

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, cymbals and electronic drums - including Korg’s Oriental-themed Wavedrum - from Rhythm Magazine's gruelling testing process. First reviewed in Rhythm issue 191 and published on MusicRadar throughout June.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Liberty’s impressive R Series kit…

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Liberty R Series drum kit (£1699)
This excellent new kit looks set to raise the company's profile further

Liberty R Series drum kit (£1699)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

A well made and great sounding kit. With this attitude and calibre of product, Liberty Drums can only go from strength to strength.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Liberty R Series kit

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 191)

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Gretsch Renown '57 drum kit (£1606)
We take a retro-styled classic for a spin

Gretsch Renown '57 drum kit (£1606)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

A tasteful and unique kit which lives up to the Gretsch name. It's good value for money at this level, too.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch Renown '57 drum kit

(Reviewed by Dave Holmes - Rhythm Magazine issue 191)

BUY: Gretsch Renown '57 drum kit currently available from:
US: Full Compass

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Alesis DM7 USB electronic drum kit (£459)
We flick the sticks over the new DM7 e-kit from Alesis

Alesis DM7 USB electronic drum kit (£459)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Apart from the slightly amusing idiosyncrasies of the preset tunes, this is a great set-up for those wishing to get into electronic drums without spending a fortune.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Alesis DM7 USB electronic drum kit

(Reviewed by Dave Holmes - Rhythm Magazine issue 191)

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Korg Wavedrum Oriental (£575)
A new limited edition of Korg's Wavedrum goes East

Korg Wavedrum Oriental (£575)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Last year's Wavedrum was great, this one is even better. And for all its oddities, we wouldn't have it any other way.

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg Wavedrum Oriental

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 191)

BUY: Korg Wavedrum Oriental currently available from:
UK: DV247

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Toontrack The Classic EZX Expansion Pack (£54.95)
Experience organic rock drum sounds with this affordable expansion pack

Toontrack The Classic EZX Expansion Pack (£54.95)

MusicRadar's verdict:

The Classic pretty much achieves exactly what it sets out to do. A great add-on for anyone who wants to record classic rock or blues with an electronic kit.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack The Classic EZX Expansion Pack

(Reviewed by Stuart Williams - Rhythm Magazine issue 191)

BUY: Toontrack The Classic EZX Expansion Pack currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Drum gear of the month: May 2011

Drum gear of the month: May 2011

Now read: Drum gear of the month: May 2011

Skip to:

Mapex Black Panther Velvetone drum kit

Tama Silverstar drum kit

Yamaha Gigmaker drum kit

Techtonic DD512 electronic drum kit

Dixon Matrix Green Snare drum

Meinl FX Pedal

Sontronics DM Drum Mics

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Drum gear of the month: April 2011

Drum gear of the month: April 2011

Now read: Drum gear of the month: April 2011

Skip to:

Pearl E-Pro Live drum kit

PDP Mainstage drum kit

DW Performance Series drum kit

Meinl Classics Custom Series cymbals

Morgan Davies Snare Drums

Duende Duo and Latino Cajons

Toca Freestyle Mechanical Djembe

Tycoon Percussion Acrylic Cajon

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Drum gear of the month: March 2011

Drum gear of the month: March 2011

Now read: Drum gear of the month: March 2011

Skip to:

Guru Drumworks Walnut drum kit with Oak snares

Premier Genista Maple and Genista Birch drum kits

Dixon Artisan Custom Traditional Maple Series drum kit

Techtonic Unplugged Rock drum kit

Meinl M-Series cymbals

Matt Nolan cymbals

Robert Daniels Fine snare drum

Remo Tar Frame Drums

Samson 7kit

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Drum gear of the month: Feb 2011

Drum gear of the month: Feb 2011

Now read: Drum gear of the month: Feb 2011

Skip to:

PDP Blackout snare drum

2Box DrumIt Five electronic drum kit

Odery Fluence Fusion Series drum kit

Performance Percussion PP300R Starter Kit

Stagg Vintage Bronze thin crashes

Remo Apex and Advent Djembes

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Drum gear of the month: Jan 2011

Drum gear of the month: Jan 2011

Now read: Drum gear of the month: Jan 2011

Skip to:

Gretsch Renown Maple Drum Kit

Stagg TIM322BK drum kit

Puresound Custom Pro snare wires

Porter And Davies 'BumChum' BC2 silent bass drum monitor

ddrum Hybrid drum kit

Remo Tattoo Skyns

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
Rhythm magazine
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