Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • 5 Jeff Beck songs you need to hear
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Free music samples
  • Best free music-making software
  • 24 free chord lessons

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

  1. Home
  2. News

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

By Rhythm
published 4 June 2015

New kits, snares and triggers

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Provenance Drums Ark Royal snare
A beautiful snare drum with a nautical theme

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
Another imaginative build from the UK custom brand

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
The Saturn Series kit continues to evolve

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
High spec all-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
At VK Drums 'handbuilt' really does mean handbuilt...

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
A helping hand into hybrid drumming

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
Affordable compact kit for big kids, too

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
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Rhythm
  1. Foo Fighters
    1
    Who will be the new Foo Fighters drummer in the post-Taylor Hawkins line-up?
  2. 2
    Fender VP Justin Norvell commits to making home recording more accessible, but says that “it doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination that the full professional DAW is going anywhere”
  3. 3
    See Jack White's daughter join him on bass to play White Stripes song
  4. 4
    "It's was written, recorded and mixed in about six hours" – Noel Gallagher names the Oasis and solo songs he'd take to a desert island
  5. 5
    The best Harley Benton SC guitars yet? Behold the new SC-550SL Gotoh Tribute
  1. John Oates
    1
    John Oates on 10 albums that changed his life, and the guitar that now feels like a part of him: "I bought my ‘58 Strat in 1972 for a hundred and twenty-five bucks and I’ve played it ever since"
  2. 2
    Jeff Mills and Daft Punk's mastering engineer shares mixing advice with followers
  3. 3
    See Jack White's daughter join him on bass to play White Stripes song
  4. 4
    "It's was written, recorded and mixed in about six hours" – Noel Gallagher names the Oasis and solo songs he'd take to a desert island
  5. 5
    Rick Beato thinks Auto-Tune has 'destroyed popular music'. Here's why he's wrong

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.