Any drummers here?

[Driller]

I have a Roland TD12 in my studio/rehearsal room but I want to get an acoustic kit (with some mics) as most drummers hate the Roland.

I was thinking of a Pearl Masters Maple Complete with a Sabian AAX cymbal pack. Styles are mostly hard rock metal.

Looking at this studio version: https://www.thomann.de/gb/pearl_masters_maple_comp...

Any thoughts?

[rover 623gsi]

I'd probably go for a Pearl Export - a fair bit cheaper and no noticeable loss of quality. Personally I prefer Paiste cymbals to Sabian and it's not unusal for drummers to bring their own cymbals to recording/rehearsal sessions to I'd be tempted not to overspend on them either.

Maybe I'm just a skinflint...

[Driller]

Hi and thanks for your input! I'm not a drummer although have been plying music for years so have some idea.

I did look at the Export and yes I don't want to waste money but at the same time I don't want to compromise on the playability or sound of the drums. Obviously the talent of the drummer matters a lot.

Do you think the Export wouldn't sound that much different from the Masters then? Maybe the difference between an Epiphone and Gibson?

[HOGEPH]

I have a td12, had to buy an acoustic kit as the other band members kept taking the piss, and fine though they are, the kit is too forgiving and makes you think you are better than you really are.

I bought a Drumcraft series 8, which was cheaper than name brand high quality kits, but still made of American maple. The hardware is as chunky as anything made by anyone else, it's all probably made in the same factory anyway.

AAX will cut through the other instruments, but as the other poster says, get a Pearl Export, and put some really decent heads on, the sound comes from the skins anyway.

[Z06George]

I'm not the biggest Pearl fan but an Export to a Masters is a 320i to an M3, not saying the export is a bad kit though it's good for the price but if you can get a Masters then go for it!

Please buy decent heads for both sides though, if you're going for hard rock etc. I'd suggest Evans EMAD II for kick, heavyweight or genera batter for snare and black chrome batter for toms with G1s on the reso side. I use black hydraulic on the batter side of my snare but it's not to everyone's taste.

With regards to cymbals I'm a Paiste man same as the previous poster but the people I know who use AAX seem happy with them and again a lot of people will bring their own smashables to a recording session.

[Driller]

Great stuff guys thanks for the advice. I'm really torn now, don't want to overspend but that M3 comment was really convincing

I have a DW 9000 double kick pedal BTW which will do the job. Have to price up the kits and see.

If you can think of anything else please post it up!

[Z06George]

You could look at Natal, as a newer brand their prices are competitive but the products are great. A couple of friends have them (spent £800-£1k if I remember rightly) and they sound great. You could look at Mapex, they don't make a top level drum kits anymore like the Master or DW Collectors but the Saturn series are pretty damn good for one level down. Sonor might be worth a look? I don't know lots about them or their ranges but they've sounded great when I've heard them.

[HOGEPH]

Driller said:

I have a DW 9000 double kick pedal BTW which will do the job.

Er yes, that probably would!

[Driller]

I've decided to stick with Pearl to keep comparisons easy.

With stands and a matching snare the Masters Maple comes in at €2087 wothout symbals.

Been also looking at a Session Studio which is €1717 for the same and the Masters Premium but that's €3377 which is getting into serious money for someone who doesn't play drums but probably a beautiful kit.

I've been told the Sabian AAX performance cymbal pack is best but that's another €850 odd-bloody hell, I didn't know how expensive cymbals were!

[Funk]

I've been thinking about getting rid of my acoustic kit and getting an electronic kit... Are you thinking of selling the TD-12 by any chance...?

[Bebee]

I have 5 Shell packs for sale is you wanna have a look? All shell packs have tom holders and stands.

Tama
Premier
Drum Works UK
Ricochet Acrylic see through (these sound and look awesome)


If I was buying for studio now I'd choose Yamaha 9000

[HOGEPH]

Funk, I'm selling my TD-12....

[Z06George]

850 euros is decent for a cymbal pack like that, I recently spent roughly £800 just on 2 crashes and hi-hats. That would have been even more if I'd gone for Zildjan/Sabian.

[Funk]

I dread to think what I spent on my cymbals. I have, in the order they appear in my cymbal case:

• Sabian Hand-Hammered 10" splash
• Zildjian A-Custom 13" hats
• Sabian Hand-Hammered 16" Medium Crash
• Sabian AAX 16" Stage Crash
• Zildjian K Custom 18" Dark Crash
• Sabian Hand-Hammered 20" Classic Ride

Kit is a Yamaha Stage Custom Fusion in Raven Black (8",10",12",14", 20" kick). I still have the standard steel snare but acquired a Pearl Eric Singer Signature for a bargain which sounds great and I use that in preference.

HOGEPH: email me through the site, let's have a chat...

Edit: just totted up the cymbals online and even today that's about £1600-worth!

Edited by Funk on Sunday 2nd October 22:05

[davepoth]

I've never known a drummer to use "house" cymbals in the 10 years I was in the business - so you can save a chunk of change there. Based on what you've said about your setup I reckon the export kit is the one to go for - if it's mainly a rehearsal room the ultimate sound quality is not a primary concern.

[Driller]

I don't know whether I'm selling my TD-12 yet Funk, if you like give a PM if ever you don't get Hogeth's one.

Thought about the Export but I just think it seems to be not high end enough. It's for rehearsal but I will also be recording with it. Damn it, just realised I'm gonna have to get some drum mics too!

Will go with the Masters Maple and the Sabian set which doesn't seem half as extravagant now after reading the advice here.

[rover 623gsi]

As a slight aside, I spend far too many hours watching drum kit tests on youtube. Of all that I've viewed, the Drumcenter CZ ones are the best - no messing about, just straight into playing.

Pearl Masters Maple Complete
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yv6-58mGrQE

Pearl Export EXX
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GfPFyAB73aM

[Driller]

Thanks for the links!

ETA I know the Export is considered a good basic kit and no offence to any Export owners but I reckon it sounds dreadful in that video compared to the Masters Maple. Kind of dead and "clattery" at the same time.

Edited by Driller on Monday 3rd October 21:15

Edited by Driller on Monday 3rd October 21:16

[JoeCastle]

Masters kits sound great recorded. Seen lots of studios use them so you're on the right track there.

I'm also going to throw out TRX Cymbals into the mix. A friend has a 22" ride which is like nothing else on this planet and sounded incredible when recorded. One of the biggest sounding cymbals I've ever heard. Also outlasted any of his Paiste 2002 rides!

[Bebee]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJkwHst7B9g these sound like other drums should!