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New drum gear of the month: review round-up (November 2010)

By Tom Porter, Rhythm magazine
published 3 November 2010

Oct-Nov 2010: pedals, edrums, snares, kits and congas

Drum gear of the month: Oct-Nov 2010

Drum gear of the month: Oct-Nov 2010

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 cymbals, kits, snares, kick pedals, electronic drum kits - and even an Bowler hat-shaped Argentine hand drum - from Rhythm Magazine's gruelling testing process. First reviewed in Rhythm issue 182 and published on MusicRadar throughout August and September.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Tama Speed Cobra pedal…

Page 1 of 16
Page 1 of 16
Tama Speed Cobra (£158)
We put pedal to the metal with Tama's new Speed Cobra

Tama Speed Cobra (£158)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

If you're looking to upgrade from a mid-level unit, or for metalheads desperate for the last word in kick drum velocity, as of now your 'to check out' list isn't complete without the Speed Cobra.

stars

stars

FULL REVIEW: Tama Speed Cobra

(Reviewed by Jordan McLachlan - Rhythm Magazine issue 182)

Page 2 of 16
Page 2 of 16
Guru Drumworks Kit (£2848)
England's north-east is becoming a hotbed of designer-crafted drum workshops

Guru Drumworks Kit (£2848)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Guru offers a great range of exotic timbers from sustainable sources. Prices are realistic and a one-off boutique kit is an increasingly attractive alternative.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guru Drumworks Kit

(Reviewed by Geoff Nicholls - Rhythm Magazine issue 182)

Page 3 of 16
Page 3 of 16
Yamaha DTX550K electronic drum kit (£1550)
Can Yamaha's latest middleweight contender go the distance?

Yamaha DTX550K electronic drum kit (£1550)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Disappointing play-along tracks aside, the DTX500 is a pretty good-sounding module, making Yamaha's new arrival definitely worth consideration, especially if you're looking for a 'central control kit' for use with external sounds from hardware or software sources.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha DTX550K electronic drum kit

(Reviewed by Jordan McLachlan - Rhythm Magazine issue 182)

Page 4 of 16
Page 4 of 16
Ludwig Black Magic snare drums (£539)
A modern interpretation of the legendary Black Beauty

Ludwig Black Magic snare drums (£539)

MusicRadar's verdict:

Black Beauty snares are in such demand that there is a permanent five- to six-month waiting list for them. Given that they are made exclusively in the USA, when available they also carry premium price tags. While not being exactly cheap, Black Magic snares make a fine, more affordable alternative - particularly for aggressive contemporary players.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ludwig Black Magic snare drums

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 182)

Page 5 of 16
Page 5 of 16
Garrahand Hand Drum (£375)
An intriguing melodic hand drum from Argentina

Garrahand Hand Drum (£375)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Whether you play it un-amplified as a meditative cure to life's pressures or push the boundaries with cutting-edge FX treatments, either on its own or as part of your set-up, the Garrahand will challenge preconceptions whilst being superb fun too.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Garrahand Hand Drum

(Reviewed by Charlie Price - Rhythm Magazine issue 182)

Page 6 of 16
Page 6 of 16
LP Classic Top-Tuning Congas (from £398)
Is LP making percussionists' lives easier by turning the traditional conga on its head?

LP Classic Top-Tuning Congas (from £398)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

If you play your set on stands or need to tune up your set in super-quick time and demand sounds and playability of the highest order, then frankly these Top-Tuning Classics seem to make perfect sense!

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LP Classic Top-Tuning Congas

(Reviewed by Charlie Price - Rhythm Magazine issue 182)

Page 7 of 16
Page 7 of 16
Drum gear of the month: Sept-Oct 2010

Drum gear of the month: Sept-Oct 2010

Now read: Drum gear of the month: Sept-Oct 2010

Skip to:

Roland TD-12KX electronic drum kit

Gretsch Full Range Snare Drums

DDRUM Reflex drum kit

DW 2000 Series pedal

Zildjian Oriental China Trashes and ZXT Trashformers

Sabian B8 Triangles and Bar Chimes

Page 8 of 16
Page 8 of 16
Drum gear of the month: Aug-Sept 2010

Drum gear of the month: Aug-Sept 2010

Now read: Drum gear of the month: Aug-Sept 2010

Skip to:

Yamaha Rock Tour Drum Kit

Sabian Xs20 Brilliant Finish Cymbals

Istanbul Agop 30th Anniversary Cymbals

Remo Ambassador-X Heads

MXL Drum Microphones

Perfect Posture Back Brace

Page 9 of 16
Page 9 of 16
Drum gear of the month: July-Aug 2010

Drum gear of the month: July-Aug 2010

Now read: Drum gear of the month: July-Aug 2010

Skip to:

Mapex Horizon HX drum kit

Meinl Byzance Cymbals - Traditional, Dark and Extra Dry ranges

BR Distribution Mic Holders

Toontrack Beatstation

Ludwig Element Laquer Series Power drum kit

Soultone Cymbals - Vintage and Custom Brilliant ranges

Page 10 of 16
Page 10 of 16
Drum gear of the month: June-July 2010

Drum gear of the month: June-July 2010

Now read: Drum gear of the month: June-July 2010

Skip to:

Roland Octapad SPD-30

Sonor SQ2 snare drum

DW SSC drum kit

Mapex Falcon bass drum pedals

Amedia Old School Series cymbals

Evans EC2 SST and Power Center drum heads

Xfer Records Nerve

Page 11 of 16
Page 11 of 16
Drum gear of the month: May-June 2010

Drum gear of the month: May-June 2010

Now read: Drum gear of the month: May-June 2010

Skip to:

Alesis DM10 Pro electronic drum kit

Tama Charlie Benante Snare

Sabian SBr Cymbals

Natal Classic Series Congas and Bongos

Percussion Plus Sonix Drum Kit

Native Instruments Abbey Road 60s Drums

Page 12 of 16
Page 12 of 16
Drum gear of the month: April-May 2010

Drum gear of the month: April-May 2010

Now read: Drum gear of the month: April-May 2010

Skip to:

Tama Starclassic Bubinga drum kit

Zildjian EFX Cymbals

Worldmax Microvent Snare Drum

Sonor 100, 200 and 400 series hardware sets

KickPort drum insert

Meinl Signature hand percussion

Page 13 of 16
Page 13 of 16
Drum gear of the month: Mar-April 2010

Drum gear of the month: Mar-April 2010

Now read: Drum gear of the month: Mar-April 2010

Skip to:

Roland TD-4KX electronic drum kit

Yamaha DTX950K electronic drum kit

Alchemy Power-X Cymbals

Carrera Snare Drums

Drum Tuna Flip

Page 14 of 16
Page 14 of 16
Drum gear of the month: Feb-Mar 2010

Drum gear of the month: Feb-Mar 2010

Now read: Drum gear of the month: Feb-Mar 2010

Skip to:

Jobeky Prestige electronic drum kit

Liberty MPX Drum Kit

ddrum Vinnie Paul Snare Drums

Mapex Black Panther Black Widow Snare

Mapex Black Panther Blade Snare

Mapex Drum Masterclass iPhone app

Toontrack Custom & Vintage SDX

Page 15 of 16
Page 15 of 16
Drum gear of the month: Jan-Feb 2010

Drum gear of the month: Jan-Feb 2010

Now read: Drum gear of the month: Jan-Feb 2010

Skip to:

Roland TD-20KX electronic drum kit

Sonor Force 3007 Jungle drum kit

Yamaha DTX-Multi 12 electronic percussion pad

Gatton Snare Drums

Ahead Brass Snare Drum

Page 16 of 16
Page 16 of 16
Tom Porter
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Tom Porter worked on MusicRadar from its mid-2007 launch date to 2011, covering a range of music and music making topics, across features, gear news, reviews, interviews and more. A regular NAMM-goer back in the day, Tom now resides permanently in Los Angeles, where he's doing rather well at the Internet Movie Database (IMDB).

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