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New drum gear of the month: review round-up (September 2011)

By Rhythm magazine, Si Truss
published 14 September 2011

Kits, snares, electronic drums, cymbals and more

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Drum gear of the month: September 2011

Drum gear of the month: September 2011

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 kits, cymbals, snares, electronic drums and more from Rhythm Magazine's gruelling testing process. First reviewed in Rhythm issues 193 and 194 and published on MusicRadar throughout August.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: the debut kits from British percussion manufacturer Natal...

Page 1 of 16
Page 1 of 16
Natal Maple and Bubinga drum kits
British percussion company Natal makes its impressive drum kit debut

Natal Maple and Bubinga drum kits

MusicRadar’s verdict:

An excellent, well-designed debut kit from Natal at good price.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Natal Maple and Bubinga drum kits

(Reviewed by Geoff Nicholls - Rhythm Magazine issue 193)

Page 2 of 16
Page 2 of 16
Mapex Falcon Pedals
Mapex's kick pedal is now available with the option of direct-drive

Mapex Falcon Pedals

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The direct drive option makes what is already a great pedal even more desirable.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mapex Falcon Pedals

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 193)

BUY: Mapex Falcon Pedals currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247

Page 3 of 16
Page 3 of 16
Highwood Heritage Snares
The UK high-flyers re-create the glory days of vintage drums

Highwood Heritage Snares

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Once again the UK's HighWood has produced two super snare drums which stand comparison with anything on the market.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Highwood Heritage Snares

(Reviewed by Geoff Nicholls - Rhythm Magazine issue 193)

Page 4 of 16
Page 4 of 16
XM T-5SR electronic kit
Another budget-friendly e-kit arrives in the ring

XM T-5SR electronic kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The physical aspects of the kit aren't bad at all, but the module is just plain odd. With its old look, mini-jack main output and strangely gated sounds it's out of step with the rest of the kit.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: XM T-5SR electronic kit

(Reviewed by Jordan McLachlan - Rhythm Magazine issue 193)

Page 5 of 16
Page 5 of 16
Supernova Custom Drums Snare Drums
We sample two quite different snares from the Jersey drum maker

Supernova Custom Drums Snare Drums

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Despite one or two slight glitches, these drums sound the business. Add SuperNova to your list of UK makers to check out.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Supernova Custom Drums Snare Drums

(Reviewed by Geoff Nicholls - Rhythm Magazine issue 193)

Page 6 of 16
Page 6 of 16
Yamaha DTX700K
The highly anticipated DTX electronic drum kit has arrived. Has it been worth the wait?

Yamaha DTX700K

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Fabulous pads and a solid, responsive module work together perfectly to deliver what is a very convincing package. For real world drummers needing to strike that bang-for-the-buck balance, it's an excellent option.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha DTX700K

(Reviewed by Jordan McLachlan - Rhythm Magazine issue 194)

BUY: Yamaha DTX700K currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass

Page 7 of 16
Page 7 of 16
Ahead Armor
Ahead offers a new level of protection for your drumkit

Ahead Armor

MusicRadar’s verdict:

There are some useful, innovative design elements with these cases. They appear extremely well-made and robust, ultimately giving protection for the whole of your precious kit.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ahead Armor

(Reviewed by Daves Holmes - Rhythm Magazine issue 194)

BUY: Ahead Armor currently available from:
UK: DV247

Page 8 of 16
Page 8 of 16
Sabian AAX OMNI
JoJo Mayer helped design these new cymbals that don't fit any existing mould

Sabian AAX OMNI

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Jojo Mayer's OMNI's are a revelation - we've played them on big stages, in pubs and at the back of marquees and they seem to mould themselves to any environment.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sabian AAX OMNI

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 194)

BUY: Sabian AAX OMNI currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 9 of 16
Page 9 of 16
Remo Powerstroke Pro
Remo offers a new take on pre-dampened bass drum heads

Remo Powerstroke Pro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The three finishes bring variations in tonality and texture. Alongside existing pre-dampened bass drum heads, these are worth investigating.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Remo Powerstroke Pro

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 193)

BUY: Remo Powerstroke Pro currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 10 of 16
Page 10 of 16
Sabian Vault Holy China
The Chad Smith-designed china cymbals set to deafen

Sabian Vault Holy China

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Chad Smith's Holy Chinas have fulfilled his original brief and excel in '11 and over' situations. Playing one will leave you at risk of uttering a Holy 'pardon?' for days afterwards.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sabian Vault Holy China

(Reviewed by Adam Jones - Rhythm Magazine issue 194)

BUY: Sabian Vault Holy China currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 11 of 16
Page 11 of 16
Softapads SoftaMats
Check out these multi-instrument anti-creep mats

Softapads SoftaMats

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Overall this set-up represents terrific value that simply wills you to play and urges you to have fun.

FULL REVIEW: Softapads SoftaMats Multi-Instrument Anti-Slip Mats

(Reviewed by Dave Holmes - Rhythm Magazine)

Page 12 of 16
Page 12 of 16
Gear4Music WHD DD516-Pro Electronic Drum Kit
A shockingly good budget e-kit

Gear4Music WHD DD516-Pro Electronic Drum Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Overall this set-up represents terrific value that simply wills you to play and urges you to have fun.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gear4Music WHD DD516-Pro Electronic Drum Kit

(Reviewed by Dave Holmes - Rhythm Magazine issue 194)

BUY: Gear4Music WHD DD516-Pro Electronic Drum Kit currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 13 of 16
Page 13 of 16
Animal Custom Drums Elite
Here's a drum kit with a special dual finish

Animal Custom Drums Elite

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Overall this set-up represents terrific value that simply wills you to play and urges you to have fun.

FULL REVIEW: Animal Custom Drums Elite

(Reviewed by Geoff Nicholls - Rhythm Magazine)

Page 14 of 16
Page 14 of 16
Drum gear of the month: August 2011

Drum gear of the month: August 2011

Now Read: Drum gear of the month: August 2011

Yamaha Club Custom kit

Gretsch Mark Schulman Signature Snare

Pearl Limited Edition Vintage Sensitone Snare

Roland TD-9K2 & TD-4K2

Page 15 of 16
Page 15 of 16
Drum gear of the month: July 2011

Drum gear of the month: July 2011

Now read: Drum gear of the month: July 2011

Liberty R Series kit

Gretsch Renown '57 drum kit

Alesis DM7 USB electronic drum kit

Korg Wavedrum Oriental

Toontrack The Classic EZX Expansion Pack

Page 16 of 16
Page 16 of 16
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