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
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Tiny Dancer
  • Browser DAWs
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Restring your guitar
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (June 2015)

News
By Rhythm
Published 4 June 2015

New kits, snares and triggers

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

Provenance Drums Ark Royal snare

Provenance Drums Ark Royal snare

Once again the Rhythm reviews team has been hard at work testing the latest drum gear, including new kits from Mapex, Sakae and Sonor.

All of the reviews were originally published in Rhythm magazine and featured on the site last month. First up it's the Provenance Drums Ark Royal snare...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Regardless of its origins, this is a beautifully crafted, fabulous-sounding drum. Adding in the historical resonance of its wood takes it to another level altogether."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Provenance Drums Ark Royal snare review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
AD Drums Padauk snare

AD Drums Padauk snare

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Carl's design prowess and attention to detail never wavers or wanes."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AD Drums Padauk snare review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Mapex Saturn V

Mapex Saturn V

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This is a fantastic all-rounder kit which is equally happy on stage or in the studio - on a jazz gig or playing rock."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mapex Saturn V review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Mapex Saturn V currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Sakae Almighty Maple Kit

Sakae Almighty Maple Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Uncompromising in design, build, looks and sound, Sakae's Almighty Maple is appropriately named. It's an unambiguously pro spec kit and the level of quality it offers justifies the asking price."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sakae Almighty Maple Kit review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
VK Drums Aluminium Snare

VK Drums Aluminium Snare

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Alan van Kleef is clearly a seriously talented man and it's remarkable to think that this drum is the work of just one individual."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: VK Drums Aluminium Snare review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Roland RT-30 Triggers

Roland RT-30 Triggers

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Reliably transforming an acoustic set into a fully fledged hybrid has now become a cost-effective reality - the best of both worlds just got better."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland RT-30 Triggers review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Roland RT-30 Triggers currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Sonor Martini Special Edition (SE) Kit

Sonor Martini Special Edition (SE) Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"In a world where space is premium the mini kit is king. With its tiny bass drum, the good looking Martini will appeal to drummers looking for a particularly compact kit."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sonor Martini Special Edition (SE) Kit review

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Sonor Martini Special Edition (SE) Kit currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Rhythm
Read more
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
 
 
Roland TD-716 e-kit in a rehearsal room with a Marshall cab in the background
Electronic Drums Best Roland electronic drum sets 2026: my top Roland V-Drums for beginner to pro drummers
 
 
Rear view Donner Groove Ultra kit in a warehouse
Electronic Drums “Despite this minimalist footprint, it’s one of the sturdiest racks I’ve tested in this price bracket”: Donner Groove Ultra electronic drum set review
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Drum Gear
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
 
 
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
Drums “An extremely well-thought-out and all-encompassing piece of drum education”: Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook review
 
 
Latest in News
roget
Tech "If I was going away on a trip and could only bring one keyboard, I’d bring that one, because I know where every sound is blindfolded": Grammy-nominated producer Rogét Chahayed on the stage keyboard he can't live without
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Mick Jagger during the photocall for the launch of the Rolling Stones' 25th album "Foreign Tongues" at St Clement Hotel on July 08, 2026 in London, England.
Artists “I said, ‘What does it matter?": Mick Jagger didn’t see the point in using tape on the new Stones album
 
 
Lorde performs during day three of Glastonbury festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 27, 2025 in Glastonbury, England.
Artists "I’m going to go out on a limb and say we don’t want this”: Lorde slams Spotify's About the Song feature
 
 
fdrumbrute
Samples SampleRadar: 493 free hardware drum machine samples
 
 
roget
Artists Rogét Chahayed: “We signed away our rights to get some cash, then a year and a half later, the album came out and two of our songs were on there”
 
 
Pink Floyd DSOTM tape
Gear & Gadgets Pink Floyd’s legendary Dark Side of the Moon officially returns to the cassette format
 
 

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...