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
  • Plugin Week 2026
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Eloise's guitar journey
  • Keef's greatest hit
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Led Zep's Rain Song
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

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

News
By Rhythm published 9 February 2017

A kit, cymbals and a 'sound kit'

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

Sabian Sound Kit

Sabian Sound Kit

An intriguing Sound Kit from cymbal giant Sabian and a cracking kit from Pearl are among the new drum gear highlights this month.

Here's a digested look at all the rhythmic releases that were reviewed on MusicRadar in January, starting with that Sabian set…

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With the Sound Kit, Sabian has branched out from cymbals, and delivered one of the most useful products of 2016. Just add cables and stands!”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sabian Sound Kit 

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm).

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
Pearl Decade Maple Drum Kit

Pearl Decade Maple Drum Kit

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Drummers looking to step up a gear will love the bright, lively sound of the Decade Maple with its thin, even-ply, all-maple shells and slick lacquer finishes, guaranteed for life.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pearl Decade Maple Drum Kit

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm).

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
Paiste Ride Cymbals

Paiste Ride Cymbals

MusicRadar's verdict:

“These are top quality hand-made cymbals. Relatively dry and heavy, they suit bright and powerful music.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Paiste Ride Cymbals

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm).

Page 3 of 4
Page 3 of 4
Evan Calftone '56 Drum Heads

Evan Calftone '56 Drum Heads

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With Calftones you enter a different sonic world, one with many fans in today's music which encompasses world-jazz-folk-acoustic elements.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Evans Calftone ’56 Drum Heads

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm).

Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4
Rhythm
Read more
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 Alaris cymbal set
Cymbals “Well balanced and sit wonderfully with each other in terms of pitch”: Zultan Alaris Cymbals review
 
 
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
 
 
Rear view Donner Groove Ultra kit in a warehouse
Electronic Drums “Despite this minimalist footprint, it’s one of the sturdiest racks I’ve tested in this price bracket”: Donner Groove Ultra electronic drum set review
 
 
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Drum Gear
Yamaha EAD50 on a blue wooden floor surrounded by drumsticks
Drum Gear “An immensely powerful tool for recording, live use, rehearsing and practising, teaching, live streaming and more”: Yamaha EAD50 review
 
 
DW Drums 9000X detail
Drum Gear “More drummer-friendly than ever”: Drum Workshop launch updated version of their 9000 series of stands and hardware
 
 
Zultan Raw mini hi-hats
Cymbals “Chunky, organic, trashy and very characterful”: Zultan Raw 8” Mini Hi-Hat review
 
 
Zultan Alaris cymbal set
Cymbals “Well balanced and sit wonderfully with each other in terms of pitch”: Zultan Alaris Cymbals 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
 
 
Latest in News
The Gibson Custom Historic Reissue 1959 and 1962 ES-330
Guitars Gibson unveils exquisite Custom Shop Historic Reissues of the 1959 and ’62 ES-330s
 
 
John Mayer takes a solo on his signature PRS Silver Sky at the 2025 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival.
Artists John Mayer says he has already used his signature Neural DSP plugin on record – but on which songs?
 
 
An Apple MacBook Neo on a studio desk with MIDI controller, audio interface, studio monitors, and studio headphones. The MusicRadar deals logo is in the top right corner.
Computers I stress-tested the MacBook Neo for music production and failed to topple it - now, with £50 off for Prime Day it’s the only budget laptop I’m recommending to musicians
 
 
audioroute
Tech This time-saving tool can sample YouTube, Spotify or any other app with a single keyboard shortcut
 
 
Image of a recording studio with wood panels in the backround
Gear & Gadgets Amazon Prime Day has over 100 sound treatment deals. I run my own studio – these are the only 5 products that will actually work in your space
 
 
Andrew Farriss
Artists “We experimented for our whole career as INXS, which is insane from a commercial point of view”
 
 

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...