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
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (August 2017)

News
By MusicRadar published 7 August 2017

The latest drum reviews in one place!

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

Sabian 2017 Effects

Sabian 2017 Effects

This month, we've discovered the missing link between electronic and acoustic percussion, but let's kick our review round-up off with something attractively trashy...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Effects cymbals are one of the biggest trends in drumland at the moment, and with its latest editions, Sabian has hit the brash, trashy nail on its unlathed head.”

FULL REVIEW: Sabian 2017 Effects

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Mapex Saturn V Tour Edition

Mapex Saturn V Tour Edition

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Combining some traditional elements with the modernity of the Saturn V, the Tour Edition is a welcome addition to the Mapex family.”

FULL REVIEW: Mapex Saturn V Tour Edition

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
ATV aFrame

ATV aFrame

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The aFrame embodies the missing link between acoustic and electronic percussion instruments.”

FULL REVIEW: ATV aFrame

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Istanbul Agop ART Series Cymbal Pack 

Istanbul Agop ART Series Cymbal Pack 

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“For a budget set, these cymbals look great and are pleasingly musical. The hi-hats and crash perform beyond their humble price point and would suit a variety of styles, while the ride is more geared to louder genres.”

FULL REVIEW: Istanbul Agop ART Series Cymbal Pack 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
British Drum Company Merlin Snare Drums 

British Drum Company Merlin Snare Drums 

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The British Drum Company enters a new phase with this Merlin snare drum featuring the much- anticipated Palladium lug. The 20-ply maple-birch shells are flawless resulting in a versatile professional sound.”

FULL REVIEW: British Drum Company Merlin Snare Drums 

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
MusicRadar
MusicRadar
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number one website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the craft of music-making that no other music website can.
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
 
 
Zultan Raw mini hi-hats
Cymbals “Chunky, organic, trashy and very characterful”: Zultan Raw 8” Mini Hi-Hat review
 
 
xln
Tech XLN Audio wants to put the fun back in drum processing with DB-30 Drum Butter
 
 
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 hundreds off PRS, Bose, and Moog - and grab a new guitar pedal for less than £10!
 
 
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
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 01: Olivia Rodrigo performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic)
Artists “They inspire me to be weirder and more myself”: Olivia Rodrigo names her current favourite band
 
 
Meris Ottobit X
Guitars Meris unveils the Ottobit X, a high-end purveyor of lo-fi guitar sounds inspired by the ‘80s
 
 
Harley Benton ST-Modern HH 2026: New models with metallic finishes.
Guitars Harley Benton unleashes a $185 shred-ready hotrod with a roasted maple neck and dual-humbuckers
 
 
American Pop Rock musician Christopher Cross plays electric guitar as he performs onstage at Greenwich Village's Bottom Line, New York, New York, May 28, 1980. His instrument is a Fender twin-neck, six & twelve string guitar.
Artists Christopher Cross admits that he "ripped off" Paul McCartney on one of his biggest songs
 
 
How to buy your first acoustic piano
Tech Scientists finally unravel the mysteries of a pianist’s ‘touch’ after measuring hand and finger movements
 
 
Fender Tone Master Pro & FR-15 cab
Guitars Fender gives the Tone Master Pro a mighty firmware update, adding some classics from its amp archive
 
 

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...