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
A woman plays an MPC XL and synthesizer in a home studio
Tech After years of covering the NAMM cycle I've never seen flagship gear hit the shelves so quickly - here are 6 of the hottest NAMM 26 releases you can pick up right now
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
Tech The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
Three pairs of in-ear monitors and their cases lying on top of a bundle of instrument cables
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2026: IEMs for stage and studio
Universal Audio Volt 876
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
An SSL BiG SiX mixer in a studio
Recording Best home studio mixers 2026: analogue and digital mixing desks for all budgets
Erica Synths x Hexinverter HexDrums
Drum Machines “An impressive percussion machine with raw analogue weight and manual control”: Erica Synths x Hexinverter Hexdrums review
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
PDP Concept Clear Acrylic Kit and Snare with acrylic hoops
Drums "Cutting rimshots and controlled overtones": PDP brings a "world-first" to the acrylic drum market with its latest Concept Acrylic Kit and Snare
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
Arturia KeyStep mk2
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2026: Find the perfect match for your studio workflow
A boy with brown hair playing the keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $220 off a stunning Gretsch, $150 off a unique Les Paul Custom Widow, as well as hundreds off pianos, interfaces, and headphones
A selection of PA systems in out testing studio
Speakers Best portable PA systems 2026: Lightweight and mobile PA solutions for musicians and events
A pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors on top of a carry case
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2026: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

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

News
By MusicRadar published 28 July 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.

Mapex Storm Rock Fusion Kit

Mapex Storm Rock Fusion Kit

We didn’t just review one drum kit at MusicRadar last month.

In fact, we didn’t even just run the rule over two kits. No, we spoiled you with three full drum kit reviews. Oh, and also some stunning cymbals, hardware and microphones. You lucky lot.

Here, we take a digested look at all of the drum gear reviewed on the site during June. We start with the Mapex Storm Rock Fusion Kit. 

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Despite inevitable cost-cutting in some parts, Mapex’s new Storm is an exciting prospect for first or second-time buyers.”

FULL REVIEW: Mapex Storm Rock Fusion Kit 

3 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Big Fat Snare Drum Bling Ring and Big Fat Neck Tie

Big Fat Snare Drum Bling Ring and Big Fat Neck Tie

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Bling Ring and Neck Tie will be far too subtle for some, but if you’re into adding textures and effects to augment your standard kit sound, they’re a fun, affordable addition.”

FULL REVIEW: Big Fat Snare Drum Bling Ring and Big Fat Neck Tie

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Dream TriHat Cymbals

Dream TriHat Cymbals

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An interesting marketing concept which results in a choice of sonic options without breaking the bank. We’d like to see other combinations use more contrasting sounds as the tonal differences are fairly subtle.”

FULL REVIEW: Dream TriHat Cymbals

3 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Pearl Masters Maple Complete 

Pearl Masters Maple Complete 

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The new Pearl Masters Maple Complete lives up to expectation and succeeds in offering enhanced resonance in its new shells, combined with a powerful tone; all wrapped up in a sleek choice of lacquer finishes.”

FULL REVIEW: Pearl Masters Maple Complete 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Yamaha Rydeen Series Kit 

Yamaha Rydeen Series Kit 

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Cleverly balancing cost-cutting generic elements with crucial Yamaha family parts results in a top-quality budget package. The hardware is excellent and with upgraded heads the drums will sing.”

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha Rydeen Series Kit 

3 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Zoom Q Series Video Recorders 

Zoom Q Series Video Recorders 

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Zoom has delivered a range of great products in the Q series.”

FULL REVIEW: Zoom Q Series Video Recorders 

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
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
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
 
 
Roland TD-02K and TD-02KV V-Drums electronic drum sets
Best electronic drum set for kids 2025: child-friendly electronic drum kits
 
 
Music technology gear of the year 2025
Music technology gear of the year 2025: Our favourite new synths, drum machines, plugins and more
 
 
Roland VAD316
“Roland has always been extremely good at marrying the playability of its samples with the physical feel of its hardware - this kit is no exception”: Roland VAD316 review
 
 
EFnote Mini kit in our studio
“The overall sample quality is decent, focusing on natural sounds within a mixed bag of styles, and promising to keep the majority happy”: EFnote Mini review
 
 
Full view behind Roland TD516 electronic drum set
“Not having to reach for a USB cable feels like the advent of a new era for electronic drums, and we might be about to see a lot more e-kits out in the wild as a result.” Roland TD516 review
 
 
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
South Korean-New Zealand singer Rose (L) and US singer-songwriter and record producer Bruno Mars perform on stage during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty Images) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --
Bruno Mars and Rosé deliver a hard rock version of APT at the Grammy Awards
 
 
A pixellated 8-but style picture of an orchestra
“Another huge win for video game music”: 8-Bit Big Band pick up Grammy for their Super Mario medley
 
 
 Dave Mustaine of Megadeth visits SiriusXM Studios on January 16, 2026
“I wanted to be heavier and faster than they were”: Dave Mustaine on – guess what? – his split from Metallica
 
 
LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 1: Justin Bieber at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026 on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+*. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images)
Justin Bieber played an ‘80s Yamaha electric guitar and an Akai MPC Live III in his underwear at the Grammys
 
 
cirkut
"Once upon a time I was a kid making beats in his bedroom in Canada and now I'm here": Cirkut takes home Producer of the Year, Non-Classical at the 2026 Grammy Awards
 
 
Bad Bunny receives the award for Album of the Year at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026
"If we fight, we have to do it with love”: Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish all win big at 2026 Grammys
 
 

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...