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
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Kate Bush Army Dreamers
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Theory of Feels
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (November 2012)

News
By Rhythm magazine published 1 November 2012

October's new products at a glance

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

Drumcraft Series 8 Metal Snare Drums

Drumcraft Series 8 Metal Snare Drums

Every month, MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

This is a collection of kits, percussion, accessories and more from Rhythm Magazine's gruelling testing process, first reviewed in Rhythm issue 208. First up: Drumcraft Series 8 Metal Snare Drums.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The aluminium and bronze drums are worth serious consideration for main snare status, but the steel models suffer in comparison."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Drumcraft Series 8 Metal Snare Drums

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 208)

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Sonor Perfect Balance Pedal

Sonor Perfect Balance Pedal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Perfect Balance is a pedal of rare beauty, though at a price. It's also perfectly named."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sonor Perfect Balance Pedal

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 208)

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Ludwig Club Date Special Edition Kit

Ludwig Club Date Special Edition Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Ludwig's Club Date is different from anything else on the market - a vintage design successfully updated, resulting in a surprisingly flexible alternative kit."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ludwig Club Date Special Edition Kit

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 208)

BUY: Ludwig Club Date Special Edition Kit currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Mapex Meridian Maple Jazz Kit

Mapex Meridian Maple Jazz Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Meridian Jazz's specification and attention to detail are highly impressive. Mapex has gone all-out with this superbly-appointed package and you'd never guess this was a budget kit."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mapex Meridian Maple Jazz Kit

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 208)

BUY: Mapex Meridian Maple Jazz Kit currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Meinl Byzance Rides And Crashes

Meinl Byzance Rides And Crashes

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Although super-expensive, there are some superb cymbals in this motley collection, suited to jazz but also any music that requires a deft touch and show-stopping colour."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Meinl Byzance Rides And Crashes

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 208)

BUY: Meinl Byzance Rides And Crashes currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Rhythm magazine
Read more
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
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
 
 
Drummer wearing headphones shot from behind an electronic drum set
Drummers Best headphones for drummers 2026: sound isolation for the studio, rehearsal room and stage
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $390 off a divisive Fender Stratocaster, $180 off a stunning Gretsch and hundreds off PA and live gear
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score hundreds off PRS, Bose, and Moog - and grab a new guitar pedal for less than £10!
 
 
Zultan Raw mini hi-hats
Cymbals “Chunky, organic, trashy and very characterful”: Zultan Raw 8” Mini Hi-Hat review
 
 
Latest in Drum Gear
Zultan Raw mini hi-hats
Cymbals “Chunky, organic, trashy and very characterful”: Zultan Raw 8” Mini Hi-Hat 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
 
 
Man jams with a guitar player and bass player on an electronic drum kit
Drum Gear These huge drum deals at Sweetwater are about to disappear – here’s your last chance to bag up to 60% off electronic drums, cymbals, sticks and more
 
 
Sleep Token drummer II Drumeo
Drum Gear “I’ve taken inspiration from the UK dance music scene": Mixwave put Sleep Token’s drummer in a plugin
 
 
DW SonicPly
Drum Gear Neil Peart called him 'the Wood Whisperer' and now he's blended metal and timber in DW's new SonicPly shells
 
 
Latest in News
R&B musician Stevie Wonder in the recording studio circa 1972.  (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Artists Stevie Wonder’s '70s synth guru Robert Margouleff on the moment he knew their partnership was over
 
 
Gretsch Jim Dandy Parlor Ltd in Vintage White
Guitars Gretsch just released the most vibey acoustic guitar of the year and it’s only $249
 
 
Harley Benton DNAfx AmP10
Guitars It’s $92, weighs 4.5kg and is packed with features, and Harley Benton calls it “ultimate grab-and-go practice station” – meet the DNAfx AmP10 modelling combo
 
 
Olivia Rodrigo
Artists Olivia Rodrigo prepares to administer The Cure – but is it about Robert Smith or something else?
 
 
novation
Tech The only MIDI keyboard controller made specifically for FL Studio just got a major upgrade
 
 
Dave Grohl visits SiriusXM Studios on April 29, 2026
Drummers “I was like ‘That’s not my one’”: Dave Grohl recalls the time Nine Inch Nails laughed at him
 
 

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...