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

Drum gear of the month: May 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, snares, drum mics and edrums - including Meinl’s new FX pedal first seen at NAMM 2011 (why should guitarists have all the fun?) - from Rhythm Magazine's gruelling testing process. First reviewed in Rhythm issue 190 (and one from Future Music issue 240) and published on MusicRadar throughout May.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Mapex’s new Black Panther addition, the Velvetone kit…

Mapex Black Panther Velvetone drum kit (£2210)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

With three other BP kits to choose from, which one will be the most popular remains to be seen, but the Velvetone will be hard to beat. With powerful projection and warm, full tone; excellent toms; and a quality finish, it’s a sure-fire hit.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mapex Black Panther Velvetone drum kit

(Reviewed by Geoff Nicholls - Rhythm Magazine issue 190)

BUY: Mapex Black Panther Velvetone drum kit currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Tama Silverstar drum kit (£800)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

With its easy-to-control, all-birch tone, Tama's Silverstar is, like Premier's new Birch Genista, a professional quality kit at an intermediate price.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tama Silverstar drum kit

(Reviewed by Geoff Nicholls - Rhythm Magazine issue 190)

BUY: Tama Silverstar drum kit currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Yamaha Gigmaker drum kit (£530)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Striking finish, great quality. The Gigmaker kit encapsulates a lot of what makes Yamaha drums great but still manages to come in at a budget price.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha Gigmaker drum kit

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 190)

BUY: Yamaha Gigmaker drum kit currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass

Techtonic DD512 electronic drum kit (£449)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

It might not be fussy and it might need careful setting up, but the DD512 seems set to earn its place in the market in convincing fashion.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Techtonic DD512 electronic drum kit

(Reviewed by Jordan McLachlan - Rhythm Magazine issue 190)

Dixon Matrix Green Snare drum (£453)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Considering Dixon's perceived low-end proﬁle, this snare seems a little pricey. However, it's a capable drum that, considering its unforgiving shell composition, has enough ﬁnesse to handle the delicate dynamics of buzz rolls and subtle ghost notes. Drummers will love the open sound - sound engineers probably won't! This model may never become a 'classic' per se, but it could prove to be a good workhorse.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Dixon Matrix Green Snare drum

(Reviewed by Dave Holmes - Rhythm Magazine issue 190)

Meinl FX Pedal (£189)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

A well made product that's easy and a lot of fun to use and can have some great results. It's just unfortunate it's limited to a few preloaded sounds.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Meinl FX Pedal

(Reviewed by Charlie Price - Rhythm Magazine issue 190)

BUY: Meinl FX Pedal currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass