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

By Tom Porter, Rhythm magazine
published 7 October 2010

Sept-Oct 2010: edrums, kits, snares, pedals and cymbals

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Drum gear of the month: Sept-Oct 2010

Drum gear of the month: Sept-Oct 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 a set of triangles and bar chimes (guilty pleasure or essential drumming arsenal?) from Rhythm Magazine's gruelling testing process. First reviewed in Rhythm issue 181 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: Roland TD-12KX electronic drum kit…

Page 1 of 15
Page 1 of 15
Roland TD-12KX electronic drum kit (£3499)
Roland has upped the ante with many new features

Roland TD-12KX electronic drum kit (£3499)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The TD-12KX might come with a higher price tag than the original, but it's easy to see where your money goes. If you own the earlier version we wouldn't despair - you still have a fabulous kit that acquits itself well against the best in the world."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland TD-12KX electronic drum kit

(Reviewed by Jordan McLachlan - Rhythm Magazine issue 181)

Page 2 of 15
Page 2 of 15
Gretsch Full Range Snare Drums (£316)
The company's first wooden-hoop snares for nearly 40 years

Gretsch Full Range Snare Drums (£316)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"By the number of wooden-hooped snares currently in production (a surprising proportion of them having been commissioned or endorsed by serious players), such drums are clearly versatile enough for use as a main snare. This pair of Gretsch drums provides two more reasons to consider investing in an alternative to a metal-hooped snare."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch Full Range Snare Drums

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 181)

Page 3 of 15
Page 3 of 15
DDRUM Reflex drum kit (£899)
A mid-range kit with spectacular looks and customisable lugs

DDRUM Reflex drum kit (£899)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Heads issue aside, for what it is - a wrapped shellpack without stands - the kit seems expensive, particularly when compared to the non-Delmar finish options. At this price, the Delmar-wrapped Reflex is not just undercut by other brands, but bizarrely, by ddrum's own superior ranges.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DDRUM Reflex drum kit

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 181)

Page 4 of 15
Page 4 of 15
DW 2000 Series pedal (£76)
A new entry point to a brand noted for its hardware

DW 2000 Series pedal (£76)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"DW's pro pedals are among the best in the world and are the choice of countless name drummers, including a number of high-profile players who endorse rival drums but not the pedals. The 2000's real USP is the fact that they are unmistakably DW pedals and, as such, are impossible to confuse with anything else."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DW 2000 Series pedal

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 181)

Page 5 of 15
Page 5 of 15
Zildjian Oriental China Trashes and ZXT Trashformers (£273)
Four new models expand Zildjan's effects range further

Zildjian Oriental China Trashes and ZXT Trashformers (£273)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Cymbal makers continuing to expand the choice of effects cymbals can only be a reflection of drummers' appetites for new sounds. What once were considered add-ons are now an essential ingredient of many set-ups. These cymbals provide more options for the drummer keen to expand their tonal and textural palette."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zildjian Oriental China Trashes and ZXT Trashformers

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 181)

Page 6 of 15
Page 6 of 15
Sabian B8 Triangles and Bar Chimes (£42)
Percussion accessories from the cymbal giant

Sabian B8 Triangles and Bar Chimes (£42)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The humble triangle has in fact been around since the 16th century, and can be found not only in classical settings. Yes famously featured a cool triangle intro on a track from their Tormato LP and the slinky Pink Panther theme also benefitted from its addition, proving that there are indeed three sides to every story. The bar chimes again shouldn't be considered exclusive to prog rock, and add a beautiful vibe when played in the right place.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sabian B8 Triangles and Bar Chimes

(Reviewed by Charlie Price - Rhythm Magazine issue 181)

Page 7 of 15
Page 7 of 15
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 8 of 15
Page 8 of 15
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 9 of 15
Page 9 of 15
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 10 of 15
Page 10 of 15
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 11 of 15
Page 11 of 15
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 12 of 15
Page 12 of 15
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 13 of 15
Page 13 of 15
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 14 of 15
Page 14 of 15
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 15 of 15
Page 15 of 15
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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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