Category 
Drums & Percussion
List of user reviews Drums & Percussion
- Product DW Exotic EX By moosers on Jun 23, 2009 at 6:19:29 PM Music is my profession
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Overall Opinion - The DW (Drummer's Workshop) Exotic EX is just about as perfect as a drum set can get. While I'm not a drummer by trade, I've recorded the DW Exotic EX drum set many times so I've got some pretty good experience with it. Since I'm not a drummer, I can't comment on the feel of the drums and all that, but what I can talk about is how great these drums sound. For recording they are truly a pleasure to use as it is almost impossible to get a bad sound with this kit. Everything from the snare drum to the kick drum to the tom toms sounds really crisp and tight. The kick drum is really tight and gives you all of the punch that you could want, while the snare drum is also super tight. I've only used the DW Exotic EX drum kit to record rock and pop songs, but this is definitely a versatile drum set because I have seen it used for all types of music, although undoubtedly it works best for rock and roll. I've used the DW Exotic EX drum kit with three different drummers, all of whom are well traveled session players and they all rave about this kit. What I've heard is that it is easy to play because every time you hit one of the drums it produces a crisp and tight sound and makes it so that you don't have to beat it too hard and ware yourself out. Since the DW Exotic EX drum set is made for professionals, it definitely has the price tag of one as well. Unless you are a professional or are wiling to drop a lot of money on a drum set to keep for a while, the DW Exotic EX probably isn't for you because of this steep price tag. Beyond this, the DW Exotic EX is nearly flawless and is truly a great drum set.
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- Product Sabian Hhx Stage Ride 20" By sanjuro on Jun 11, 2009 at 12:06:38 AM
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Overall Opinion
This is the most versatile ride I have ever used. Obviously, personal preference plays a big part of any cymbal purchase. However, time and time again, I am impressed by the sounds this cymbal produces and it receives many compliments from fellow drummers. 2 of my old teachers ended up buying this cymbal after I brought mine in and let them rock it for a while. It is dark and warm, with a nice hand hammered bell that has a great smokey sound. I am primarily a rock drummer, but generally like to incorporate more influences. This cymbal has provided me with all the versatility I need. It has the typical HHX coating, which is a good balance between coated and non-coated because it isn't too bright, isn't too dark, and has a very good response. I ride this, crash it, do whatever and it sounds great. It is clean enough for light music but still not flimsy or thin, producing crunchier vibes when necessary. I have played many ride cymbals in my day, but this is by far my favorite for the music I like to play (mellow rock, funk, jazzier stuff, etc.). The sabian HHX line is slightly expensive, but not for the sound you get. When compared to other cymbal lines such as HH or Zildjian K's, I still feel like this cymbal has the best value. The only drawback to this cymbal is its relatively high price, but as i stated it is well worth it. I have recorded with it and it sounds even better in studio than when it is live. I would definitely buy this cymbal again and again, and would suggest it to anyone who is looking for a perfectly balanced ride cymbal. The only cymbal line that can compare to this is the HHX groove series. Obviously, HHX parallels the K custom series, but I have never played any K custom that sounds as good as this. Buy this cymbal if you can.
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- Product Taye Drums StudioBirch By sanjuro on Jun 8, 2009 at 11:44:31 PM
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Overall Opinion
- What thing do you like most/least about it?
The tom drums have a very rich and adaptable sound. You can tune them to respond however you want very easily. Also, the bass drum has a very deep and punchy sound, more than most higher end birch drumkits I am familiar with. The only minor problem with the Taye kits is that their hardware (tom mounts especially) is reasonably lightweight and weak. It has never been a problem for me, but sometimes the toms move around during play regardless of how tight they are screwed in. Also, while you can arrange them in multiple positions, it takes a while to mount and dismount the drums in travel.
Did you try many other models before getting this one?
Of the taye kits I used of this level, I have tried the studio maple with 22'' bass and 4 toms (10'' to 16'') and the studiobirch with 22'' bass drum and 3 toms (12'' to 16''). I have also played the taye go kit, but it has a very different sound altogether. I prefer the studiomaple slightly, especially when playing live. However, the birch is obviously a good choice, probably better in the studio if birch wood is desirable.
What is your opinion about the value for the price?
These Taye kits can be compared in performance to the other high end kits from more familiar names such as yamaha or sonor, but their (taye) price is much lower. If someone is looking for a professional sound for a reasonable price, this is definitely the best value around.
Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
I have owned a taye studio kit for about 3 years now, and I am very glad of how I made my choice. I got such a great deal on this kit I couldnt pass it up. However, regardless of the price, the sound and quality is reason enough to purchase one.
Precision and quality of the sound?
Like I said earlier, the hardware is sort of shakey. The sound is almost perfect. The toms and bass a rich and deep, and the snare is out of this world. Taye was known for making snares for a long time before they started selling kits like this, so it is no surprise that the snare is excellent. This kit is good for most kinds of music and recording situations.
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- Product Lp Tambourin By moosers on Jun 8, 2009 at 4:25:39 AM Music is my profession
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Overall Opinion
- The LP Tambourine is a standard model version of the well known percussion instrument. I have used this instrument mostly for recording but have also used it for live shows and I've never been unhappy with the tone of this tambourine. I find that throwing up a Shure SM57 for recording this gives me a great sound that is clean and will cut through a mix well. When recording with it I like to give it some room as this is a loud instrument and I find that the signal needs to breath in order to get the best results. The LP Tambourine has a well placed handle in order to make sure you can get the best grip possible while playing this instrument. I trust LP to make well made percussion instruments that will last a while and I have found that I can definitely count on this when it comes to the LP Tambourine. Even though most tambourines will sound similar and are similar in price, I haven't found any evidence that suggests that this isn't a great deal both in terms of price and overall quality. While percussion isn't my first instrument, having one of these around comes in handy quite often as I find that I often want to overdub with this for recording. While most think that any old tambourine will do, I looked for one that seemed like it would last a while because I wanted to get one and hold onto it for years to come. I believe that I have found this in the LP Tambourine and I can say that I would definitely recommend it if you are in the market for a nice sounding tambourine that won't cost much money at all. If you are looking for a tambourine for any application, the LP Tambourine is a great bet.
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- Product Pearl Session Studio By moosers on May 3, 2009 at 7:42:51 AM Music is my profession
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Overall Opinion
- I've been using the Pearl Session Studio snare drum for about two years for recording in my home studio. I am not a drummer, but I have used this drum for recording many times as it is a favorite of one of the drummers that I record with frequently. The Pearl Session Studio is on the larger side of snare drums and for this reason it has a pretty deep sound. It has a nice look to it as well, and can be seen in a variety of different colors. I use the Pearl Session Studio mostly for rock and pop music, but it will work for any song that you would want a deep snare drum sound. I usually record this snare drum with a Shure SM57 in my Pro Tools rig and I'm always happy with the sound I get. The price of the Pearl Session Studio is pretty reasonable, but isn't all that cheap and therefore leads me to believe that it is aimed for more experienced drummers. However, the price is cheap enough that any player who is looking for a nice snare drum with this particular sound could probably afford it. Pearl has a great reputation for making high quality drums and the Pearl Session Studio is a good example of their top notch craftsmanship. I'm not sure that this snare drum is still made, so if you can find one of these used for a decent price you are probably getting a good deal. The Pearl Session Studio probably isn't for everyone because it has a unique, deep tone to it that is only best for certain situations and I would encourage everyone interested to try it out first to see if it fits with your taste and style. All in all the Pearl Session Studio is a great snare drum for both recording and live shows.[video]
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- Product Sabian AA Heavy Ride By moosers on May 2, 2009 at 2:07:13 AM Music is my profession
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Overall Opinion
- I’ve been using the Sabian AA Heavy Ride cymbal for about a year or so for recording and while I myself am not a drummer, I have worked extensively with this cymbal for recording in my home studio. The tone color of the Sabian AA Heavy Ride is pretty awesome and is perfect for rock and roll as well as a variety of other genres. The sound of the cymbal can be described as extremely full with a great deal of low presence as far as ride cymbals are concerned. While maybe not the best choice for an overall ride cymbal for all genres because of this unique, heavy tone quality to it, it excels at what it is good at and is a perfect addition for the drummer looking to get a variety of different sounding ride cymbals for different applications. This being said, it will work fine in any situation that you decide to use it is I just believe it is best for rock and you are probably better off get a more versatile cymbal if you are going to be using it as your only ride cymbal and are going top be playing a variety of different styles. While I haven’t personally used the Sabian AA Heavy Ride for live shows, the drummer that I record with who has this cymbal loves to bring it out for live shows as well as for recording. The price of the Sabian AA Heavy Ride is very reasonable and is therefore capable of being brought out on the road and for gigs without the fear of breaking an expensive cymbal. Sabian is a leader in the world of cymbals, making all different types of cymbals for all sorts of genres and applications and I would strongly encourage drummers to go to the store to try out the cymbal before you buy it because each and every cymbal is different. All in all, the Sabian AA Heavy Ride is a great sounding ride cymbal that is a great addition to any drummer’s arsenal.
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- Product Sabian AAX Dark Crash By moosers on May 1, 2009 at 10:39:05 PM Music is my profession
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Overall Opinion
- I've been using the Sabian AAX Dark Crash cymbal for about two years and it is one of my favorite crash cymbals to use for recording rock and pop music. It has a brilliance to it that is not only unique but works perfectly for these applications because of this tone quality. The model of the Sabian AAX Dark Crash cymbal that I use I believe is 16" around, which is approximately the size you would expect from a crash cymbal. While I'm not a drummer, I have used the cymbal enough times while recording to know that it is a great sounding cymbal. To record drum overheads and cymbals I usually use a pair of Neumann KM184s or a pair of Rode NT5s and I find that with either pair I get great sounding crash cymbal sounds with this cymbal. While I've never used it for live shows it will work great for this application in addition to recording. The tone of the Sabian AAX Dark Crash cymbal can be described as a full bodied and having of a certain presence that you definitely hope to get with crash cymbals. Whether you are using this in tandem with another lighter sounding crash cymbal or on its own, it will add to your drum sound on the stage and in the studio. Even though this is a great sounding cymbal, the Sabian AAX Dark Crash won't break the bank in terms of price which makes it suitable for players of all levels looking to get a great sounding dark crash cymbal. All cymbals are unique and users need to try out each cymbal before purchasing to see if it will fit in their sounds, but I believe that the Sabian AAX Dark Crash cymbal is a great choice and is definitely worthy of a try.
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- Product Zildjian K Dark Crash By moosers on Apr 30, 2009 at 11:13:30 PM Music is my profession
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Overall Opinion
- I've been using the Zildjian K Dark Crash cymbal for about four or five years for recording in my home studio. While I'm not a drummer, I have used this cymbal a number of times to do recordings and I've generally been quite happy with the results. The size of the Zildjian K Dark Crash cymbal ranges from a few different sizes, but the one I use is the 14" model. The sound of this cymbal is pretty awesome, as it has both the punch and clarity you want in a crash cymbal as well as a nice ping sound to it that isn't often found in crash cymbals. Since it has these qualities it makes for a versatile cymbal that is great for both recording and live shows. I usually record this cymbal with overhead microphones like the Neumann KM184s or if I don't have access to those I use a pair of Rode NT5s. No matter which set of microphones I might be using, I find that I get a clear sounding crash cymbal that is perfect for rock, jazz, and pop. This cymbal does have a good deal of low end presence and as the name states is on the darker sounding side of crash cymbals. Since each cymbal is unique I strongly encourage players who want a cymbal like the Zildjian K Dark Crash to go to your local store and try it out along with some of the other cymbals that Zildjian has to offer so you can really get a good idea of the differences in sounds and of course, in price. In terms of price, the Zildjian K Dark Crash is very reasonably priced and I would even stretch to say that you are getting a very good deal with this good sounding of a cymbal for such a price. Overall, I highly recommend the Zildjian K Dark Crash to drummer of all playing levels.
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- Product Sabian AA Bright Crash By moosers on Apr 30, 2009 at 10:16:30 PM Music is my profession
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Overall Opinion
- I've been using the Sabian AA Bright Crash cymbal for about two years for recording and while it is a good sounding crash cymbal, I have used better ones that I would use over this one any day. The cymbal is 16" around and has a nice bright sound to it that is good sounding, but somewhat limited in its use. I would really only recommend using it for rock music, as I don't think it has enough sparkle to it to be used for jazz or pop. Don't get me wrong, the Sabian AA Bright Crash cymbal has a nice sound to it that is great for beginners and intermediate level drummers, but I wouldn't recommend this to professionals because I don't think the sound quality is on the professional level. Sabian certainly makes professional grade cymbals, I just don't think that the AA Bright Crash is one of them. I have only used this cymbal for recording, but I would say that it is probably best suited for live shows and gigging. I say this because it isn't too expensive and can take a bit of wear and tear that it would gather playing shows. I also don't think it sounds good enough to do recording with and would look to some of the other cymbals Sabian makes and that Zildjian makes for recording. Since the price of the Sabian AA Bright Crash cymbal is reasonable, it makes it perfect for the drummer who want a nice sounding crash cymbal without the price. This cymbal is certainly on the lighter end of the spectrum when it comes to the tone of it, and for this reason I would recommend trying it out to see if it suits your style. Like with all cymbals, each is unique and needs to be tried out by the user first to see if it will fit their sound. Overall, a nice option for intermediate drummers looking to get a fairly priced crash cymbal.
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- Product Zildjian K Custom Ride 18" By moosers on Apr 30, 2009 at 7:58:16 PM Music is my profession
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Overall Opinion
- I've been using the Zildjian K Custom Ride Cymbal 18" for about two years for recording, and while I'm not a drummer, I find I get some great results when I record drums with this cymbal. It has a unique sound to it, which is bright and has a certain ting sound to it that is only heard on good ride cymbals. The cymbal is a normal size for a ride cymbal, and is great for a variety of genres. It is especially a great sounding cymbal for jazz, but I have also used it to record rock, pop, and folk music, all with great results. While I have never used it for live gigs, as I'm not a drummer, the drummer I record with who has this cymbal really loves this cymbal and uses it frequently for live shows. The price of the Zildjian K Custom Ride 18" is a little more expensive than mid price range, as it isn't as expensive as the best ride cymbals out there, but isn't that cheap as far as cymbals. For this reason, it makes for a great choice both for amateur and professional drummers because of the intermediate price range and great sound. Zildjian is known for making great cymbals, and along with Sabian they are the leader in this market. The Zildjian K Custom Ride 18" is a fine choice and will not let you down when it comes to expecting a lot from a popular company like Zildjian. I would encourage those interested in getting a ride cymbal to try any cymbal before you buy it so that you can determine whether it suits your taste and style, as all cymbals are different. Overall, the Zildjian K Custom Ride 18" is definitely worth a look if you are in the market for a ride cymbal.
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