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

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)

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

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)

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

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

Now read: Drum gear of the month: May 2011

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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

Now read: Drum gear of the month: April 2011

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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

Now read: Drum gear of the month: March 2011

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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

Now read: Drum gear of the month: Feb 2011

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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

Now read: Drum gear of the month: Jan 2011

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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