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
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  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
Latest in Drum Gear
Zultan 25 series
“A versatile set with dry and dark tonal qualities”: Zultan 25 Series Cymbals review
 
 
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
“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
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
“I’ve taken inspiration from the UK dance music scene": Mixwave put Sleep Token’s drummer in a plugin
 
 
DW SonicPly
Neil Peart called him 'the Wood Whisperer' and now he's blended metal and timber in DW's new SonicPly shells
 
 
Zultan Cymbals
"Crafted from Heritage. Tuned for Tomorrow": Zultan Cymbals celebrate their 25th birthday with a new high-end 25 series
 
 
Latest in News
Dijon
The 'secret sauce' that creates Dijon’s distinctive vocal sound isn't what you thought it was
 
 
amenbreak
AmenBreak VST is a break-slicing, sample-mangling junglist powerhouse - and there’s a free version
 
 
Keeley Electronics Nocturne: this new stereo reverb is the latest signature pedal for Andy Timmons and has a dark metallic blue enclosure with a similar control surface to his Halo Core pedal.
“I turn this thing on, I don’t want to stop playing”: Keeley Electronics has made Andy Timmons fall in love with reverb with his new signature Nocturne pedal
 
 
Money
“They represent rent paid, instruments bought and careers sustained”: PRS has distributed nearly £275 million in 2025
 
 
Paul McCartney points to the crowd and raises an eyebrow as he performs with his iconic Höfner Violin Bass
Paul McCartney's favourite bass company is in trouble – Höfner's future uncertain as it files provisional insolvency proceedings
 
 
Jane's Addiction
“We have come together one last time to resolve our differences”: Peace breaks out between Perry Farrell and Jane's Addiction
 
 

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
  • 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...