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DW Concrete Snare

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:48:00 GMT

Read more about DW Concrete Snare at MusicRadar.com

While there is no shortage of alternatives to traditional shell materials on the market, DW's concrete snare must surely be one of the less obvious choices. Referencing neither wood, metal nor acrylic, DW has created a drum that is different with a capital 'D'.

Build

"Technically the shells are actually made of soapstone, a more refined alternative to concrete"

While researching the possibility of producing cobalt shells (thus far prohibitively expensive), DW discovered that concrete is remarkably similar in sonic terms to cobalt, and so the concrete snare was born. Two models are available: 14"x51⁄2" and 14"x61⁄2". Of these, Rhythm was sent the deeper drum.

Technically the shells are actually made of soapstone, a more refined alternative to concrete, which has been used for centuries as a carving material. The soapstone is mixed with a proprietary polymer and then cast into individual shells.

Cast shells are seamless, making them extremely strong. Bearing edges are cut at DW's regular 45° with a small back-cut. Despite a relatively thin shell thickness of 5.5mm, the review drum still feels noticeably heavy.

Hands On

"Each drum is guaranteed to be different from any other due to natural variations in the curing process"

The exterior of each shell is polished to a lustre, with each drum guaranteed to be different from any other due to natural variations in the curing process. DW's satin chrome finish coats every piece of shell hardware except the tension rods, giving the drum an elegant, even sophisticated look.

As promised, concrete has a sound all of its own: sharp like metal but not too bright along with woody thickness but with less warmth. Hit dead centre, the response is dry - bone dry when the tuning is cranked up - with just a hint of an overtone colouring the note. Edge the sticks away from the middle and the sound gradually loosens, with increased sensitivity from the snare wires jostling with a sympathetic metallic ring.

Aside from concrete's unique tonal qualities, its most dominant characteristic would appear to be its volume. While the drum is undoubtedly musical enough to be played in all manner of quiet ways (cross-sticking is sparklingly clear, for instance) it's at its most potent slamming out backbeats. Here it delivers a ferocious bark that piledrives through pretty much anything within its vicinity.

Read more about DW Concrete Snare at MusicRadar.com

Sabian AAX V-Crashes

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:09:00 GMT

Read more about Sabian AAX V-Crashes at MusicRadar.com

Though only a recent arrival in the AAX series, Sabian's V-Crashes have been in existence for some time. Originally designed in 2005 for the Vault Series, the V-Crashes were repositioned at the start of 2012 when the Vault Series was disbanded.

Build

Primarily a repository for more creative and one-off designs, the Vault Series had become crammed with a selection of unique and often wildly different models. Sabian felt that the degree of variation amongst the Vault cymbals meant that there was little continuity to the range and embarked on a reclassification process, matching each cymbal up with the most appropriate existing Sabian series.

"Sabian describes the V-Crashes as being 'bright, high-pitched and very cutting'"

It's ironic that the Vault brand had to be dropped because it had become too successful but the majority of Vault cymbals do live on elsewhere within Sabian's ranks. Former rangemates Vault Artisan crashes - an altogether different type of crash - now reside in their own newly created Artisan Series.

While the V in the V-Series refers to the Vault origins of the crashes, the AAX Series' tagline is Modern Bright, and Sabian describes the V-Crashes as being "bright, high-pitched and very cutting".

A corresponding pair of V-Hats and a single V-Ride (again formerly of the Vault Series) are also to be found in the AAX stable. Five V-Crashes are available, in diameters of 16" to 20" with the step up between each model being a single inch.

The move from the Vault Series to the AAX has not altered the design or manufacturing process in any way and each cymbal is individually cast from Sabian's B20 bronze. V-Crashes are only available in brilliant finish and, although thin, claim to punch well above their weight in volume terms whilst also boasting a quick response.

Picking up each cymbal, the thinness is immediately apparent, but unlike most thin cymbals they don't flex easily - there is obvious tenacity to the bronze. The two smallest cymbals - 16" and 17" - have average-sized bells; from 18" up to the largest 20" cymbal, the bells are proportionally bigger and far more pronounced. This makes the profile of the cymbals deeper, guaranteeing more volume and cut.

The top of each cymbal is circled by a large number of small hammer marks arranged in orderly bands that start just outside the bell and continue all the way to the edge. Similarly tight bands of lathing flow over the entire surface of each cymbal on both sides, with the exception of the smooth underside of each bell.

Hands On

Cymbals that are designed to be cutting often have a degree of brittleness present in their tone as a result, but there is little of this to be found in the V-Crashes. From the outset there is a pleasing smoothness to their sound and some unexpected warmth too.

"The 19" and 20" are staggeringly powerful crashes that beg for a big stage on which to be unleashed"

The centre hole-to-edge lathing and brilliant finish ensures a silvery and glassy response - unsurprisingly there is no earthiness or complexity on the horizon - just sweet toppiness. They open easily, particularly the smaller diameters where a casual flick of the stick produces an instant reaction. Their inherent smoothness means that though they do punch through, they do so without grating - almost sliding across the mix.

As the initial crash fades it's replaced by a deeper and more prolonged sympathetic note. In isolation it's easy to distinguish between the two and hear the take up point, but in a playing situation the whoosh of high frequencies is all that comes across with any meaning.

The 16" and 17" V-Crashes come to sparkling life with ease and could grace many settings where quick, bright punctuation is required. From the 18" model upwards things take a distinct turn for the louder, with each increase in diameter notching up the volume further.

While the 18" model is pretty full-on, the 19" and 20" are staggeringly powerful crashes that beg for a big stage on which to be unleashed. Despite being capable of such huge volume, their sweetness makes them dangerously playable.

Time spent in their company without ear protection will leave you using the word 'pardon' for some time afterwards.

Read more about Sabian AAX V-Crashes at MusicRadar.com

Tama Iron Cobra 600 Series pedal

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:05:00 GMT

Read more about Tama Iron Cobra 600 Series pedal at MusicRadar.com

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Tama's Iron Cobra pedal, a huge milestone in the life of any product. With the popularity of the company's flagship pedal higher than ever, Tama has decided to realign its mid and lower range pedals under the Iron Cobra banner, introducing the new 600 and 200 Series at this year's NAMM show. Here we look at the 600 Series.

Build

"The 600 Series features an innovative reversible cam along with components that have been borrowed from the 900 Series"

The 600 Series Iron Cobras are twin chain and feature an innovative reversible cam along with components that have either been borrowed from or inspired by the 900 Series. They're equipped with solid baseplates, twin surface beaters and available as doubles (though surprisingly no left-sided versions are offered as yet).

The Iron Cobra shape recognisable today was first coined in 1998 when the second generation of IC pedals was introduced; while various tweaks and improvements have taken place since then, the basic visual blueprint remains the same. The lineage of the new pedals is unmistakable, from the classic bulging footboard to the tapered upright posts.

Tama uses its black powder coating shrewdly to help demarcate between the series, sprinkling the most on 900 pedals, with smaller but significant (in the areas treated) amounts used on each model down. The 600 pedals are the only pedals of the two new series to have 'The Legend in Innovation' inscription scrolled across their footboards. Similarly, the inclusion of a hard-shell case is also limited to 600 pedals.

The Duo Glide Cam is a double-sided cam that can be flipped through 180°, offering both Power Glide and Rolling Glide cams. While interchangeable cams already exist, to date they require a box of spare cams to transport around. The beauty of the Duo Glide Cam is in that it is attached to the pedal, so there is nothing to lose or inadvertently tread on. Switching the cam around requires the loosening of a single tension rod and can be accomplished in around a minute.

Hands On

"The new model successfully captures much of the solidity that is one of the defining characteristics of Iron Cobra pedals"

Elsewhere the 600 pedal also features the same double chain found on 900 Series Iron Cobras and the Para-Clamp, a hoop clamp that automatically adjusts to the angle and height of the bass drum hoop (ensuring that the pedal remains flat). Further drop-downs include the low friction Speedo-Ring and Spring-Tight, a specially-shaped rod which prevents the spring from twisting.

As well as the strong visual resemblance to the 900 pedals, the new model successfully captures much of the solidity that is one of the defining characteristics of Iron Cobra pedals. They feel planted underfoot, as though they have sunk foundations into the floor below. The 600 does a decent job of reproducing the level of effortless power normally found in Iron Cobras - not surprising considering its double chain.

The action feels smooth and seamless and, when the beater makes contact with the head, it does so with what seems like a disproportionate amount of force. With the Duo Glide Cam set on Rolling Glide the pedal is perfectly balanced and responds eagerly to every twitch from the foot. Switching the cam to its Power Glide alternative invokes a more aggressive feel which is more suited to rapid fire bursts of intensity.

Read more about Tama Iron Cobra 600 Series pedal at MusicRadar.com

Liberty Drums Maple Shell Pack

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:02:00 GMT

Read more about Liberty Drums Maple Shell Pack at MusicRadar.com

This month we feature a selection of hand-crafted wares from another of the UK's custom drum houses based in Yorkshire. Liberty Drums started some 10 years ago and in 2006 it became a Limited company, officially pinning it firmly onto the UK drum map. With increasing sales in the UK and indeed areas around the globe, Liberty Drums is slowly but surely expanding.

The driving force behind Liberty Drums is founder, Master Craftsman and CEO Andrew Street. Andrew says with the ever-expanding range of his "healthy, contemporary" drums, he sees potential for further growth in the UK and overseas markets. With future plans set to include new ranges and own-brand hardware, they are definitely one to watch.

Build

This review set is just one example from a range of shell packs, kits and individual drums to choose from. In recent years, we have reviewed examples from Liberty Drums' catalogue, including the Liberty 'R' Series (specifically designed for the studio), and the shallow depth toms of the MPX. Other models include Custom Maple, Maple Pro and this review set in 100 percent Maple.

"A first peek shows there is something distinct and altogether compelling about these drums"

As each drum emerges from the array of predominately large Hardcases, a first peek shows there is something distinct and altogether compelling about them. Perhaps it's the truly epic bass drum, the brutish pair of floor toms or matching blue finish on the inside of the shells. Staring at each drum in turn, we quickly realised it's the lugs - or, to be more precise, the offset positioning of them.

There are a few custom drum manufacturers using this lug format, including Orange County, SJC, DR Customs and more mainstream companies such as Gretsch for their Catalina Club Mod Series. However, this is not the first kit from Liberty Drums to have this feature - the aforementioned MPX kit, with its shallow toms, also has offset lugs.

The lug positions in this case, do nothing to effect the sound but give a unique, customised appearance. The snare is the only drum in the set where both heads share the same lugs and these are positioned a more conventional location - in the centre of the shell.

This five-piece shell pack includes 16"x16" and 18"x16" floor toms and a jolly hefty 24"x22" kick - so, the bottom end is more than catered for. For the slightly higher end of the audio spectrum a 14"x61⁄2" wooden snare and 13"x9" suspended or floating tom are also included.

All of the shells are made from plies of USA Rock Maple - this North American maple is a material favoured by many high-end manufacturers for its warm sonic properties. The bearing edges are perfectly cut into the maple plies with a razor sharp pinnacle giving the greatest possible resonance.

A Royal Blue Polyurethane covering of each shell provides a hint of the fine grain contours under the lightest coats of the dark blue lacquer. This is also on the inside too - a trademark of Liberty Drums. Andrew Street says,

"Sealing in the wood is something most companies don't do due to cost. I think it's important to protect the wood from the elements, thus extending the resonant properties, long term. All Liberty shells will have a coat of lacquer internally and generally keeping the theme of the external colour."

Each drum features Limited Edition badges with graphics depicting the Union Jack and a crown. Andrew says these badges were designed to celebrate the company's first visit to NAMM: "There are only 100 of these special edition badges, we're proudly flying the flag as a UK manufacturer."

Considering the size of the kick, the claws look minute in comparison. Each of these has recessed tuning bolts but, quite strangely; do not come fitted with rubber gaskets to avoid any possible penetration into the colour matched rims.

The suspended tom is fitted with a Noble and Cooley 'Coolmount' RIMS-type mounting bracket, which simply slides into position on a stand into a specially designed slot. The clever design eliminates the need for wing nuts, tuning bolts etc and can speed up set-up time.

Hands-on

The set-up is the same as featured on the Liberty Drums stand at the recent NAMM show in California. With the exception of the snare and the kick, there are the obvious signs the kit was played with some force in the States - someone has enjoyed themselves!

Luckily, there is no denting evident on those clear Evans heads, however, the toms are not left in a good state of tune. So, each one is slackened off completely and we begin to work firstly with resonant sides - the tension bolts bring the pitch up rapidly and smoothly. Once taut, just a slight twist of the key is all that is necessary to make a definite pitch difference at each lug point.

"One strike is enough to send shock waves from this incredibly powerful-sounding, almost sub-sonic kick"

With the toms reasonably tuned, the combination of the maple shell and dual ply of the EC2s creates a beautiful warm tone while maintaining a reasonable attack. Striking each one in turn allows you to hear both the shells and heads vibrating in apparent unison, which aids the sustain.

Some hefty flams upon the two floor toms is reminiscent of Queen's 'We Will Rock You' or 'Love it Loud' by KISS - these toms have the ability to create some incredibly powerful rhythmic statements and need to be played loud.

Completing the lower end of the sonic spectrum, the colossal kick has been 'ported' with a hole pre-cut into the white Evans EC3. This should, in theory, increase the bass response - just in case the size isn't quite enough. One pedal strike is enough to send shock waves from this incredibly powerful-sounding, almost sub-sonic kick. You have to just sit there wondering why things have suddenly fallen off the walls and dropped from the ceiling.

The whole drum needs time to recover from each strike, so attempting to play incredibly fast with double pedals could be a waste of a good drum - two of these monsters would be almost too awesome to bear!

In complete sonic contrast to the bass drum is the wonderful-sounding snare, which, when table-top tensioned has the ability to track the sticks with absolute precision and sonic clarity, it is so articulate. With an infinite variety of strainer tensions from the Trick throw-off lever and the wide tuning range, this snare is versatile; going from fat, chuggy and loose to something crisp and exacting.

As with the sound of any drum within a kit, this snare has the ability to influence each stroke. Dead centre we have a good all-round drum with a dry and rich woody snare drum sound. Heading towards the edge, the drum sings as it opens up with an easily controllable overtone - this snare is versatile and wholly addictive.

Read more about Liberty Drums Maple Shell Pack at MusicRadar.com

Meinl RAPC Series Bongos

Tue, 28 May 2013 11:43:00 GMT

Read more about Meinl RAPC Series Bongos at MusicRadar.com

The German company Meinl is unique amongst the major manufacturers in producing equally broad ranges of both cymbals and percussion instruments. Adding to Meinl's already generous bongo offerings are these innovative RAPC series bongos.

Build

"Bongos, like congas, are traditionally made from thick staved shells, so this 'radial ply' is an interesting departure"

These three bongo pairs are all from Meinl's new Radial Ply Construction (RAPC) line. Patented in Germany, what distinguishes the RAPC is the plywood shells of poplar. Bongos, like congas, are traditionally made from thick staved shells, so this 'radial ply' is an interesting departure. At five plies and 7mm the shells remain traditionally thick (for such small drums) and they taper in towards their bases like classic bongos.

The poplar is overlaid with a choice of five veneered finishes. We have three - High Gloss Cherry and Bubinga, plus Matte Desert (Mapa) Burl. Remaining choices are High Gloss Ebony Black and Black Maple Burst. All three review drums look attractive, with the matte burl being the most unusual finish but also the most expensive.

Also patented is Meinl's Free Ride Suspension System which consists of a thick chromed steel bridge joining the two bongos together by their bottom hoops. This means that unlike most bongos there is no wooden block fixing the two shells together in the middle. The shells remain undrilled and free to resonate better and independently.

This bridge also has two strong bolts which can be used to attach to Meinl's bongo stand if you wish to play the bongos standing up as part of a multi-percussion set-up. The 2.5mm Safe and Sound (SSR) chromed steel rims are especially curvaceous and nicely in proportion with the curve of the bearing edges.

Hands On

Compared with normal solid stave shells, we found the radial ply poplar shells equally resonant, but somehow a little looser and airier. No doubt this is amplified by the effective Free Ride Suspension System which ensures the macho and hembra sound quite separate and autonomous.

Tuning of the tough 8mm lugs is quick and easy, especially if you use Meinl's handy key. The head tone is bright - the so-called 'True Skin Cow Heads' lack the thick creamy tone of calf, but instead are pingy and cutting.

The Safe and Sound (SSR) rims have well-rounded edges for comfortable playing. You can really go for it safe in the knowledge you are not going to rag your sensitive fingers on any nasty protruding bits of steel.

Read more about Meinl RAPC Series Bongos at MusicRadar.com

Meinl RAPC Series Bongos

Tue, 28 May 2013 11:43:00 GMT

Read more about Meinl RAPC Series Bongos at MusicRadar.com

Build

"Bongos, like congas, are traditionally made from thick staved shells, so this 'radial ply' is an interesting departure"

Hands On

Read more about Meinl RAPC Series Bongos at MusicRadar.com

J. Leiva Percussion Zoco Cajon

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:58:00 GMT

Read more about J. Leiva Percussion Zoco Cajon at MusicRadar.com

Based in Montilla near Cordoba, Spain is a company that hand-makes some truly beautiful cajons. Founded originally by Jose Leiva, his son Pepe now offers a range of not only elegant high-end Flamenco models and highly innovative 'travel' cajons but even this impressive entry-level cajon.

Build

"The first thing that you notice is just how well-made the Zoco is"

The first thing that you notice is just how well-made the Zoco is, and when you pick it up you certainly appreciate its substantial build quality. The surround is formed from seven layers of recyclable phenolic plywood which, in addition to adding strength, also keeps the overall production costs down.

The surround is a chunky 12mm thick and this type of construction apparently also helps to reduce moisture absorption. The frontplate (tapa) is between 2.5mm and 4mm and also made from plywood to keep it affordable, and interestingly all the Leiva Cajons have screen-printed finishes rather than designs stuck onto the tapa. These finishes are sealed with a light varnish so that overall there is hardly anything likely to impede the natural sound of the cajon.

The patented Pepe Leiva Direct Tension System (or DTS) is a wonderful innovation and allows the player to instantly change the response of the 'snare' sound over a considerable range at the twist of its rear-mounted dial. The two small-gauge guitar strings lie vertically down the rear of the frontplate in a 'V' shape and produce awesome snare effects, from subtle all the way through to super snappy.

Hands on

The Zoco is an immediately satisfying cajon to play, unlike some models that take you a while to discover their 'sweet spots'. The frontplate is really comfortable to play for extended periods and has a lovely yielding feel. Perhaps due to its substantial surround and thin, articulate frontplate you can explore a wide dynamic range with ease.

Bass tones are punchy and sonorous and blend effortlessly with the Zoco's mids and crispy finger tones and slaps. With just a hint of miking near the rear sound hole you get an enviable replication of a drumkit and on one gig recently (even un-miked) it kept up with amplified acoustic guitars and vocals.

Read more about J. Leiva Percussion Zoco Cajon at MusicRadar.com

J. Leiva Percussion Zoco Cajon

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:58:00 GMT

Read more about J. Leiva Percussion Zoco Cajon at MusicRadar.com

Build

"The first thing that you notice is just how well-made the Zoco is"

Hands on

Read more about J. Leiva Percussion Zoco Cajon at MusicRadar.com

Meinl Marathon Series Timbales

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:30:00 GMT

Read more about Meinl Marathon Series Timbales at MusicRadar.com

The German company Meinl is unique amongst the major manufacturers in producing equally broad ranges of both cymbals and percussion instruments. Adding to Meinl's already generous timbale offerings are these mid-range Marathon Series Timbales.

Build

The Marathon Timbales are a formidable, heavyweight pair - 15"x8" and 14"x8", made from 1mm gauge steel, strengthened with two circumferential flanged beads. There are four finishes - Black Nickel, Brass, Chrome and the unusual Antique Matte of the review pair.

Timbales require a specialised stand and Meinl's is impressively strong and stable with its double braced tripod, goodly height extension, stout memory lock and geared tilter. The shells themselves have the usual paired hook rings welded to the steel hoops which stack over one another and are then bolted tight over the centre support post. Through this also passes the L-arm for mounting cowbells etc, which also has two extension locking nuts for positional flexibility.

Hands On

"All timbales can be fearsomely loud, but this pair, with their steel shells, can easily blow your head off"

All timbales can be fearsomely loud, but this pair, with their steel shells, can easily blow your head off. At 8", the shells are of the deeper variety for timbales and give each stabbing rim shot an extra depth. Playing your cascara on the hembra shell the tone is hard, less tunefully complex than with brass timbales, but the extra shell depth again adds a welcome touch of duskiness.

Meinl's thin timbale heads have the logo printed on underneath the semi-transparent membrane. Centre strokes are dampened but the rims have the necessary ring. Tuning of the six chromed lugs is smoothly undertaken with the included, heavyweight L-shaped key - and Meinl also throws in a small bottle of lubricating lug oil in case it's ever needed.

We found the tuning range from deeper throatier tones to taut and brittle taps impressive. The thick, chromed steel hoops are kind to your sticks and you'd better have your earplugs in place when you go for your solo - ear splintering, stinging sharp strokes just peel off the rims.

Read more about Meinl Marathon Series Timbales at MusicRadar.com

Meinl Marathon Series Timbales

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:30:00 GMT

Read more about Meinl Marathon Series Timbales at MusicRadar.com

The German company Meinl is unique amongst the major manufacturers in producing equally broad ranges of both cymbals and percussion instruments. Adding to Meinl's already generous timbale offerings are these mid-range Marathon Series Timbales.

Build

Hands On

"All timbales can be fearsomely loud, but this pair, with their steel shells, can easily blow your head off"

Read more about Meinl Marathon Series Timbales at MusicRadar.com

Cymbal Doctor Home Pro Cymbal Cleaning Kit

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:06:00 GMT

Read more about Cymbal Doctor Home Pro Cymbal Cleaning Kit at MusicRadar.com

Cymbal Doctor is a cymbal cleaning, restoring and polishing system, the brainchild of American drummer Larry Jaworske (also a vintage car restorer) and Sam Lankford, whose expertise is in metallurgy, aviation and "marine polishes for extreme applications".

Build

There is a Home Pro Kit and a more heavy-duty Touring Kit. We have the Home Kit which includes 24"x24" rubber work mat, 8oz bottles of cleaner/brightener, polish and sealer; rubber gloves, applicators and foam polishing pads, microfibre towels, ultra microfibre finishing towel, rugged electric polishing tool and pads, logo protection film, instructional DVD and strong gigging bag.

Hands On

"The muck simply floated off and the cymbal came up spectacularly"

The DVD details the three-stage process of cleaning, polishing and sealing your cymbals. The operative words in the blurb are 'safe', 'fast' and 'mirror-like' finish. Well, it's pretty fast, though some cymbals required a lot of elbow grease. We took between five and 20 minutes per cymbal, with mostly good results. 'Mirror-like' finish might put you off. Most of this writer's cymbals have a regular, satiny finish. The few which have a brilliant finish don't need much renovating and the normal finish ones we don't want to end up brilliant.

So we were wary to start. We tried it first on a grubby old 18" A Zildjian with classic regular finish. We didn't get the easy dramatic results seen on the DVD, but by cleaning it twice, using lots of paper kitchen towel to get off the black (metal polishes often invoke black residues), we eventually achieved a satisfying natural gleam.

Next we risked a cherished 40-plus years old 20" Paiste Stambul which had been browny-orange for years. The muck simply floated off and the cymbal came up spectacularly. Bull's-eye. Encouraged, we spent idle moments all week tackling all manner of cymbals, old and new, cheap and expensive. Ancient stains and marks left by injudicious sticky tape would not budge. But most cymbals at least got a welcome freshening-up.

Finally we came to a Paiste 602 Paper Thin Crash. This it seems originally had a heavy 'varnish' and, working round the logo, we ended up with a mottled, dull cymbal which now looks worse. The message is that this is an undeniably effective product, but take care and don't get over confident with it.

With the heavy electric polisher the kit is expensive, but you can buy cheaper packs with just the cleaning products to spruce up your dowdy old platters. The cleaned-up cymbals do also sound a bit sparklier and fresher.

Read more about Cymbal Doctor Home Pro Cymbal Cleaning Kit at MusicRadar.com

Cymbal Doctor Home Pro Cymbal Cleaning Kit

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:06:00 GMT

Read more about Cymbal Doctor Home Pro Cymbal Cleaning Kit at MusicRadar.com

Build

Hands On

"The muck simply floated off and the cymbal came up spectacularly"

Read more about Cymbal Doctor Home Pro Cymbal Cleaning Kit at MusicRadar.com

Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And Gigbag

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:50:00 GMT

Read more about Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And Gigbag at MusicRadar.com

WHD, the brand previously known as White Horse Drums, has fallen under Gear4Music's wing since 2011. In those two years the stable has released full kits, e-kits, cymbals and snares to the market. It is the latter that we concentrate on today, in the form of a 14"x6.5" steel-shelled snare drum.

Build

Immediately obvious when you unpack this WHD snare is that you're getting an awful lot of drum for your money. It's far heavier than you'd expect. It won't suit everyone's taste aesthetically, but beneath its love-it-or-loathe-it hammered white gloss finish is a drum that delivers way beyond its price point.

There are a handful of niggles... The badge, for instance, is a little cheap-looking, and on closer inspection the finish on some of the 20 lugs looks rough and ready. For under £100, however, the finish here is more than acceptable. Our gripes are minor and perhaps to be expected at this entry-level price.

The gigbag included in the bundle is the Gear4Music High Grade Snare Drum Bag, which retails for £15.99 on its own. So, when you consider that you're getting that chucked in along with the snare and still getting change from £100, you can't fail to be impressed by the value for money on offer here.

Hands on

So, on face value it appears that you're getting a lot here for sub-£100, but how does this WHD steel snare sound? Well, pretty darn good, actually.

We get a fair sound from the snare with the WHD-branded Remo coated heads that come as standard. Once we swap these out for our own preferred choice, however, the improvement is instantly noticeable. We're able to get a decent pop/rock sound with little in the way of blood, sweat, or tears.

Played within the context of a kit, the snare performs admirably, providing a satisfactory 'thwack' at mid tuning. Crank things up a little higher and you'll hear some ping in the sound. WHD's choice of die cast hoops help to mute any wild overtones and keep the sound controlled and consistent.

A general concern with budget snares is their ability to handle tonal intricacies. You'll be glad to learn that, in this area, the WHD puts up a decent fight.

Part of our extended test of this drum includes a handful of function-band rehearsals, a test which enables us to whisk the snare through a plethora of tracks and styles.

The drum gives a good account of itself at the rockier end of things. Give the drum a quarter turn all the way around and it produces a little extra top end. When we take things up a gear it handles rim shots with surprising aplomb.

At the other end of the spectrum, cross sticking is more of a challenge. Some notes are almost drowned out by unwanted snare buzz, while ghost notes are often lost to the same problem. This is not a deal breaker, but a sign that the drum is more at home with straight-down-the-middle playing rather than the subtleties of light and shade.

Gigbag

The included snare case turns in a somewhat mixed performance. The presence of a stick bag that attaches to the front of the case is neat. However, when the snare is in our review model gigbag there's a little too much space to spare either side.

This, coupled with a lack of adequate padding, could cause problems if you want to take this snare gigging. It will need snugger protection if you're going to be chucking it in the back of a car night after night.

The WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare Drum and Gigbag certainly isn't for everybody, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better package at this price. Beginners and those looking for a rock bottom-priced snare that you can get a decent tune out of need look no further.

Read more about Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And Gigbag at MusicRadar.com

Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And Gigbag

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:50:00 GMT

Read more about Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And Gigbag at MusicRadar.com

Build

Hands on

So, on face value it appears that you're getting a lot here for sub-£100, but how does this WHD steel snare sound? Well, pretty darn good, actually.

A general concern with budget snares is their ability to handle tonal intricacies. You'll be glad to learn that, in this area, the WHD puts up a decent fight.

Part of our extended test of this drum includes a handful of function-band rehearsals, a test which enables us to whisk the snare through a plethora of tracks and styles.

Gigbag

Read more about Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And Gigbag at MusicRadar.com

Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And Gigbag

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:50:00 GMT

Read more about Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And Gigbag at MusicRadar.com

Build

Hands on

So, on face value it appears that you're getting a lot here for sub-£100, but how does this WHD steel snare sound? Well, pretty darn good, actually.

A general concern with budget snares is their ability to handle tonal intricacies. You'll be glad to learn that, in this area, the WHD puts up a decent fight.

Part of our extended test of this drum includes a handful of function-band rehearsals, a test which enables us to whisk the snare through a plethora of tracks and styles.

Gigbag

Read more about Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And Gigbag at MusicRadar.com

Bullet & Kitch/Natal Double Kick

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:42:00 GMT

Read more about Bullet & Kitch/Natal Double Kick at MusicRadar.com

When one of the UK's most-respected pedal designers and the fastest growing drum and hardware manufacturer on the planet choose to team up, you can be sure of something rather special. The unique pedal design expertise of Bullet and Kitch, married to the efficient manufacturing and global distribution of Natal - which is now under the wing of the mighty Marshall - makes perfect sense.

Since it was acquired by Marshall in 2010, Natal has seen some incredibly rapid growth. Marshall is, of course, synonymous with those great walls of amplification. However, the late Jim Marshall was himself a drummer and keen to invest in the great British heritage of Natal, adding a drum line to the great Marshall name.

At one of the autumn drum shows, Natal expressed their interest in the Bullet and Kitch designs and the seeds of the partnership were sown. The official announcement took place at the recent NAMM show, where the early fruits of this unique partnership were aired to the public for the first time.

For this review though it's the turn of another newly designed model. Hot from the manufacturers, and literally a day before its inaugural visit to Musikmesse in Frankfurt, we give the double version of this spanking pedal an exclusive and thorough testing.

Build

"This captures many of the worthy features from each of the two original models"

This exciting hybrid is an amalgamation of a chassis and drive shaft from Natal's ProSeries double, together with the footplate of a Bullet & Kitch FB-007. This captures many of the worthy features from each of the two original models. From the ProSeries model these include the 'Ultra Fast' cam, self-levelling hoop clamp and a stainless steel bearing shaft which allows an infinitely adjustable beater angle.

Other notable aspects include the lower spring attachment, hinged to allow a smoother spring movement, while avoiding any unnecessary spring stretching. Memory locks are provided on both of the two dual-sided (felt/plastic) beaters - which also bear the Natal sun logo - and being a doubler, an interconnecting drive shaft. This robust steel shaft has a total of eight bearing sets that should help give the remote pedal a smooth and fast action.

Ultimately, it's the contoured aluminium Joggle Board pedals, with their intriguing plastic blocks, that gives them a wholly unique appearance. The 6mm thick aircraft-grade aluminium looks great in contrast to the powder-coated components of the base plate and bearing posts. Both footplates are fitted with adjustable, sliding 'control blocks', designed for the feet to pivot - acting as a foot fulcrum for the heel/ toe technique. Embossed on both footplates are the Natal logos and brand name.

Hands On

With the foot of the pivoting rim clamp positioned between each of the two lower kick lugs, the main pedal is attached via the side-access clamp. Both beaters have their stems just protruding from the lower part of their individual clamps.

"The 'fast cam' helps rocket the beaters, accelerating them until they each slam onto the bass drum head"

For the first trial, the pedal is positioned/ set with a 'standard' flat footplate, with both beaters at their maximum length. The beater position means a slight trade-off between speed and power, but, within just a couple of stomps, the action - and indeed speed - impresses.

With a downward flick of our foot, the 'fast cam' helps rocket the beaters, accelerating them until they each slam onto the bass drum head. The pedal returns almost as rapidly and our feet produce a flurry of quick-fire wallops upon the bass drum - all good news.

Those familiar with this version of the Joggle Board will know the ease of adaptation from a standard pedal to the heel/toe action - just a quick flip of the rear-ended heel support is all that's required and the conversion is complete. This action can be returned back to a straight plate just as quickly, even in mid-performance, by lifting it with your foot, hinging it back to rest on the rear of the foot plate.

The principal of the heel/toe technique is that it allows the beater/s to strike twice for every downward movement of the foot. It is slightly misleading, in that it is actually the ball of the foot and the toes that do all the graft, and the heel simply drops downwards.

The area designated for the heel and each of the control blocks helps train the feet and the necessary muscle memory in order to master this technique quickly.

There are many advantages to learning a whole variety of techniques though - and this pedal will help you find the one that's right for you.

Read more about Bullet & Kitch/Natal Double Kick at MusicRadar.com

Bullet & Kitch/Natal Double Kick

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:42:00 GMT

Read more about Bullet & Kitch/Natal Double Kick at MusicRadar.com

Build

"This captures many of the worthy features from each of the two original models"

Hands On

"The 'fast cam' helps rocket the beaters, accelerating them until they each slam onto the bass drum head"

The area designated for the heel and each of the control blocks helps train the feet and the necessary muscle memory in order to master this technique quickly.

There are many advantages to learning a whole variety of techniques though - and this pedal will help you find the one that's right for you.

Read more about Bullet & Kitch/Natal Double Kick at MusicRadar.com

Truth Custom Drum Kit

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:36:00 GMT

Read more about Truth Custom Drum Kit at MusicRadar.com

Geoff Barrios founded Truth Custom Drums in 2001 in his mum's garage in Southern California. Five years later Truth moved north to Portland, Oregon, where today the company has a 2,500ft2 workshop. Like several other American custom workshops, Truth buys in shells, applies bearing edges and one of a thousand finishes, bolts on generic hardware and ships 'em out.

"We can build it all, from chambered hybrid snares, hybrid kits, custom graphic drums, sandblasted logos on acrylic, custom snare vents, wraps and stains - you've got an idea, we can build it."

"Truth excels at making fun, professional kits for youthful, rowdy rockers"

Careful finishing and flashy looks are the stock-in-trade of US custom drums - our American friends being traditionally less self-conscious than us understated Brits, and it is in this area that Truth excels: fun, professional kits for youthful, rowdy rockers.

For the past seven years, Drum Stop in Sheffield has been the exclusive UK and European distributor for Truth. Drum Stop's Joe Whittemore says, "Any finish is possible: natural finishes clear-coated to preserve the shell, sparkle, flat, swirl, pearloid, custom-designed glass glitter wraps - we can put any image onto a wrap and give it a glass glitter finish. We've wrapped kits in bed sheets, skateboard grip tapes, jeans, handbags, AstroTurf... you name it."

A visit to the Truth and Drum Stop websites will give you some idea. Joe adds that Truth drums can be seen with bands including August Burns Red, McFly, Sleeping with Sirens, Enter Shikari, Memphis May Fire, Deaf Havana, Pierce the Veil and many others.

Build

We have a rather more conservative three-piece kit to review in fashionable sizes - 22"x20" bass, 12"x7" mounted tom with RIMS-style chromed steel bracket and 16"x14" floor tom with legs. Shells are thin six-ply 5.5mm North American maple in Satin Candy Green, a thinly applied stain that shows the grain and is expertly finished.

The natural maple shell insides are actually smoother than the outsides, and much effort has gone into sanding and finishing them with a waterproof transparent seal. However, the innermost plies of the bass drum and the floor tom do not quite butt up perfectly, and filler has been used to bridge the gaps.

In the case of the floor tom, the gap goes from nothing at one end to up to about 1/16" at the other - creating a thin, elongated 'V'. The outside plies of both drums butt up perfectly as you'd expect, and the small tom is spot on both inside and out, which unfortunately only goes to show up the minor aberrations in the other two.

"The tension claws are rather tasty: we like the way the bolt washers nestle inside - a trim, hidden design that is dust-free"

What surprises us is that these shells have been supplied by Keller, which has a top reputation and supplies huge numbers of excellent shells to custom builders the world over. Indeed these two are lovely shells and no one will see the insides, but we would be failing in our duty to Rhythm readers if we did not point out that while these shells might be acceptable on a budget kit, this is an expensive, high-end custom kit.

One of the main areas where a custom workshop makes its mark is in cutting and finishing the bearing edges. Truth's have a 45° inner cut with a smaller 45° cut to the outside. The edges are smooth and level, and of the highest standard.

As for hardware, components are generic but of good quality and will serve you well. The twin-point mount small tube lugs are neat, hewn from solid brass and set on nylon gaskets. The tension bolts thread in smoothly and have both steel and white nylon washers. The bass spurs are again standard generics, but are perfectly adequate. And the tension claws are rather tasty: we like the way the bolt washers nestle inside - a trim, hidden design that is dust-free.

We always think a decent badge goes a long way to making a kit look cool and distinctive. Especially when a kit has mostly generic parts, a strong logo badge makes a big difference. Truth's distinctive, embossed metal black and chrome cross shield does the job well.

Hands On

"The polished inners are extremely reflective, freshening up the sound and creating an in-yer-face and powerful presence"

The sound of the set is defined by the sizes - that combination of overlong kick with punchy 'fast' toms that has been the contemporary sound for some time now, from indie to metal. Coupled with the admirably thin shells of hard maple, the polished inners are extremely reflective, freshening up the sound and creating an in-yer-face and powerful presence. The fact that Truth routinely fits twin-ply Remo Coated Emperor batters shows the toms are intended to be walloped hard, and they certainly respond well when they are.

In fact Drum Stop swapped the Emperors for the new Evans Black Chrome batters, which are specifically designed for highly aggressive rockers. On the small tom, the effect was a combination of warm, tight punch from the Evans with the natural open brightness of the maple, translated cleanly through the fine bearing edges.

As for the floor tom, 16"x14" is increasingly preferred to the old standard 16"x16" and it makes sense - some 16"x16" floor toms can get bogged down and sludgy. But with the 14", the slightly shallower depth makes the drum easier to play, adding that useful touch of speed and extra bite. There is so much bottom resonance from the thin shell anyway, again aided by the terse surface sound of the Evans, that the drum has a mic-friendly edge.

As the floor tom legs pass through their mounting brackets they just kiss the lower hoop. This can be easily remedied by putting a thicker rubber gasket under each bracket to clear the legs away from the hoop. Still, as it was, the drum didn't rattle or seem to suffer sound-wise.

There's no doubt that 22"x20" bass drums with thin maple shells and minimal hardware make one hell of a racket. This one's slam was fear-inducing, even with a felt beater, especially when we set up the kit to face our French doors so the sound bounced off the hard glass. It may be a big drum but it is surprisingly light in weight, which also increases the reverberation and presence. The logo head has a pair of portholes that further boost attack while not sacrificing too much front-head resonance, leaving plenty of tone and depth.

Read more about Truth Custom Drum Kit at MusicRadar.com

Truth Custom Drum Kit

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:36:00 GMT

Read more about Truth Custom Drum Kit at MusicRadar.com

"We can build it all, from chambered hybrid snares, hybrid kits, custom graphic drums, sandblasted logos on acrylic, custom snare vents, wraps and stains - you've got an idea, we can build it."

"Truth excels at making fun, professional kits for youthful, rowdy rockers"

Build

"The tension claws are rather tasty: we like the way the bolt washers nestle inside - a trim, hidden design that is dust-free"

Hands On

"The polished inners are extremely reflective, freshening up the sound and creating an in-yer-face and powerful presence"

Read more about Truth Custom Drum Kit at MusicRadar.com

Truth Custom Drum Kit

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:36:00 GMT

Read more about Truth Custom Drum Kit at MusicRadar.com

"We can build it all, from chambered hybrid snares, hybrid kits, custom graphic drums, sandblasted logos on acrylic, custom snare vents, wraps and stains - you've got an idea, we can build it."

"Truth excels at making fun, professional kits for youthful, rowdy rockers"

Build

"The tension claws are rather tasty: we like the way the bolt washers nestle inside - a trim, hidden design that is dust-free"

Hands On

"The polished inners are extremely reflective, freshening up the sound and creating an in-yer-face and powerful presence"

Read more about Truth Custom Drum Kit at MusicRadar.com

Premier One Series Snares

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT

Read more about Premier One Series Snares at MusicRadar.com

As an essential ingredient in Premier's rejuvenation, high-end drum production has been re-established in the UK. First off the line is a selection of one-off snares, under the banner of the One Series.

Former KD Drums supremo Keith Keough has been working his socks off, building some of the finest hand-made drums you are ever likely to see.

Each One Series drum is a one-off instrument. Drums are offered at four price points depending on just how complex a build you choose, dictated by shell material, thickness and finish. Type 1 generally has a standard full outer veneer; Type 2 a standard veneer with inlays or a more exotic outer veneer; Type 3 has a more exotic veneer with hand-inlaid marquetry, a rare exotic outer veneer or extra thick shell; Type 4 has especially exotic veneers, hand marquetry in burrs, pictures and exotic core shells.

Build

Since every drum is different, Premier gives each a unique name. So for the purposes of this review we have a Type 1 named The Bowood (retailing at £550) and a Type 3 called The Balmoral (retailing at £650). Bowood has a 14"x51⁄2" shell, 6mm thick, constructed from 12 plies of old Georgian oak and cherry all running horizontally. Icing the cake is an outer veneer of wild English walnut with an extravagantly swirling grain.

"The accuracy of construction and finish of the shells and their edges is spot on"

Balmoral has a 14"x6" shell, 8.5mm thick, constructed from 15 plies of birch and African mahogany, this time with all plies laid vertically. The outer veneer is Sapele Pommele, which has a more uniform, bubbly reddish-brown pattern. As a Type 3 drum, Balmoral also has an extra twist - an angled 9" section of expertly hand-cut marquetry depicting a stylised Union flag. There's walnut for the blue, sycamore for the white and sapele for the red, bordered by twin strips of walnut which form an arrow effect.

Such special veneers warrant a stunning finish and these are the first Premier shells to benefit from a new blend of natural, environment-friendly oils as used on Rolls Royce dashboards. Keith says, "After lots of research we found an oil that can be safely applied that is smoother than standard oils and has an almost satin lacquer texture without the actual need to lacquer."

Overall, it is clear that supreme care has been taken with these drums. The accuracy of construction and finish of the shells and their edges is spot on.

Each drum has 10 of Premier's British Collection chrome plated solid brass double-ended tube lugs. Being solid there are no air pockets, unlike most die-cast lugs. Each drum also has Premier's chunky 610 strainer, coupled with chrome-plated brass snare wires. The Balmoral has die-cast hoops with (formerly KD Drums) lug locks, while the Bowood has a retro look with single flanged steel hoops and mini claws.

Not one but two quality badges - the Premier script logo and the '1 O[F] One' badge - adorn the exterior and the brilliant 'diamond' chrome plating is stunning.

Hands On

"The quality brass snare wires contribute to a finer tone"

Here's our only small grouse. We find the 610 strainer slightly awkward. When you drop the snares the tension knob is not the easiest to grab and turn. Everything else about these drums though is a pleasure. The Premier logo cloth snare straps smooth the action and the quality brass snare wires contribute to a finer tone.

Such organic, exotic shelled drums really need playing in and living with. But first impressions count, and blow us down if the Bowood with its vintage single-flanged hoops and thin shell of Georgian oak and cherry didn't have an immediate vintage tone. By that we mean it is distinctly woody and open. Single-flanged hoops place less restriction on the shell, allowing the shell to sing, resulting in a purer, truer sound. Cross-sticks are transparent and rim shots rich. A characterful drum for intimate, acoustic, funky- jazzy contexts.

The Balmoral has heavy die-cast hoops which lend a more aggressive edge, but are also more controlling. The drum's tone is harder and raised by the thicker shell. With its medium-deep shell combining the attack of birch with the warmth of African mahogany it provides a rounded tone that will excel in diverse musical settings. With or without rim-shots this drum delivers a wonderfully powerful, tight and yet beefy smack.

Read more about Premier One Series Snares at MusicRadar.com

Premier One Series Snares

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT

Read more about Premier One Series Snares at MusicRadar.com

Former KD Drums supremo Keith Keough has been working his socks off, building some of the finest hand-made drums you are ever likely to see.

Build

"The accuracy of construction and finish of the shells and their edges is spot on"

Overall, it is clear that supreme care has been taken with these drums. The accuracy of construction and finish of the shells and their edges is spot on.

Not one but two quality badges - the Premier script logo and the '1 O[F] One' badge - adorn the exterior and the brilliant 'diamond' chrome plating is stunning.

Hands On

"The quality brass snare wires contribute to a finer tone"

Read more about Premier One Series Snares at MusicRadar.com

Premier One Series Snares

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT

Read more about Premier One Series Snares at MusicRadar.com

Former KD Drums supremo Keith Keough has been working his socks off, building some of the finest hand-made drums you are ever likely to see.

Build

"The accuracy of construction and finish of the shells and their edges is spot on"

Overall, it is clear that supreme care has been taken with these drums. The accuracy of construction and finish of the shells and their edges is spot on.

Not one but two quality badges - the Premier script logo and the '1 O[F] One' badge - adorn the exterior and the brilliant 'diamond' chrome plating is stunning.

Hands On

"The quality brass snare wires contribute to a finer tone"

Read more about Premier One Series Snares at MusicRadar.com

MXL Essentials Drum Recording Kit

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:30:00 GMT

Read more about MXL Essentials Drum Recording Kit at MusicRadar.com

MXL's two-mic Essentials Drum Recording Kit makes a refreshing change In a market full of five and seven-piece mic kits. The emphasis here is definitely on quality over quantity.

Build

"MXL reckons that if you're entering the world of miking it's probably better to keep things simple"

While two mics might at first seem a meagre package, it's worth remembering that many factors determine the amount of mics that can be lavished on your kit (available stands and leads, the number of channels free in the mixing desk, even the disposition of the sound engineer).

MXL reckons that if you're entering the world of miking it's probably better to keep things simple while at the same time ensuring that you are equipped with the best mics that your budget allows.

The kit is made up of a pair of existing MXL mics - the A-55 Kicker (a large diaphragm dynamic mic suitable for bass drums and any other low-end instruments) and the 606 condenser (primarily a snare mic but versatile enough to cover other elements of the kit). Included in the package is a foam-lined flight case, a stand adaptor and a shockmount for the 606.

Hands On

While there are many established industry-standard bass drum mics out there, the A-55 has its own characteristics that make it recognisably different. Rather than opting for a completely natural rendering of the bass drum, the A-55 tweaks things subtly, bringing a slightly saturated feel to the sound; it's as though the low and top-end frequencies have been boosted through EQing. With minimal desk intervention, a fat, juicy bass drum sound - less air and more punch - is soon achieved.

Despite its petite dimensions, the 606 is super-sensitive and so is ideally suited for capturing delicate brushwork without having to up the input fader on the desk (and run the risk of drawing in other unwanted sounds).

When getting busy with a pair of 5Bs, a 20dB pad can be engaged to prevent the signal getting too hot. In both settings the snare sound is crisp and close-up vivid, with the drum's depth and breadth also carrying well.

Both mics deliver professional results and won't require upgrading in the future. The addition of a couple of decent overheads would cover most miking situations, both studio-based and live.

Read more about MXL Essentials Drum Recording Kit at MusicRadar.com

MXL Essentials Drum Recording Kit

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:30:00 GMT

Read more about MXL Essentials Drum Recording Kit at MusicRadar.com

MXL's two-mic Essentials Drum Recording Kit makes a refreshing change In a market full of five and seven-piece mic kits. The emphasis here is definitely on quality over quantity.

Build

"MXL reckons that if you're entering the world of miking it's probably better to keep things simple"

MXL reckons that if you're entering the world of miking it's probably better to keep things simple while at the same time ensuring that you are equipped with the best mics that your budget allows.

Hands On

Both mics deliver professional results and won't require upgrading in the future. The addition of a couple of decent overheads would cover most miking situations, both studio-based and live.

Read more about MXL Essentials Drum Recording Kit at MusicRadar.com