Product Close-Up Archives - Modern Drummer Magazine

Product Close-Up

Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.

Tone Wings Add Some Focus to Your Drum Tone

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I first saw Tone Wings by Liquid Sound technologies. It’s not your every-day drum product. At first glance, you might think they fell off a piece of expensive furniture. However, garnering my…

By Jason Mehler
May 31, 2023

Evans Hybrid Sensory Percussion Sound System An Open Canvas for Sonic Expression

As a product that began as a successful Kickstarter campaign by Sunhouse Technologies, Sensory Percussion™ has matured and evolved thanks to a partnership with the EVANS drumheads. The joint venture has created the new EVANS Hybrid Sensory Percussion Sound System.…

By Jason Mehler
May 31, 2023

Outlaw Drums Sound Control Technology Snare A Clean Sounding, Extremely Stable, Stave Constructed Snare Drum

Outlaw Drums are known as high quality stave construction drums that are built from centuries-old wood. They ooze with history. For anyone who owns one of these drums, they know how great they sound. Yet, in some circumstances and environments,…

By Brian Hill
May 31, 2023

PDP Concept Metal Snare Drums Brushed Aluminum, Copper, and Brass Shells

Pacific Drums and Percussion (PDP) was formed by Drum Workshop (DW) in 1999 to provide a more affordable premium quality brand of drums, pedals, and hardware. PDP features “boutique-inspired, player friendly features, and best-in-class build-quality to more drummers around the…

By Brian Hill
Apr 30, 2023

Roland TD-27KV2 Another V-Drum offering

Having already experienced some of Roland’s recent upgrades to their V-Drums lineup, I was eager to get ahold of their TD-27KV2 model. The TD-27KV2 is Roland’s mid-level kit, which is a step up in features (and price) from their TD-17KVX2.…

By Jason Mehler
Apr 30, 2023

WFL III Drums Birdseye Maple Snare Classic Maple Mahogany Shell with a Modern Twist

William F Ludwig III, WFL III Drums chief drum designer, sent Modern Drummer one of their new G2 shell series, Birdseye Maple snare drums for us to put through the paces. WFL III Drums have been upping their game considerably…

By Brian Hill
Apr 30, 2023

Roland VMH-D1 Headphones Answering The Call For Electronic Drums

In February, Roland introduced the VMH-D1 V-Drums Headphones, developed in collaboration with the popular headphone brand V-MODA. In their press release they describe the product as a complete personal monitoring solution purpose-built for the electronic drumming experience. They mention a…

By Jason Mehler
Mar 31, 2023

Los Cabos 5A Drumsticks Quality Sticks, Different Woods

Amidst the sea of drumstick offerings by brands vying for drummers’ attention, it’s always a treat to come across quality products from a company that deserves their seat at the table. Such is the case with Los Cabos, a Canadian…

By Jason Mehler
Mar 31, 2023

Roland PM-100 Monitor Electronic Drum Amplification

As we have already tested Roland’s new VMH-D1 headphones this month, I thought it would be fitting to examine one of their amplified monitors for situations where amplifying your electronic drum set is required. Roland has provided us with the…

By Jason Mehler
Mar 31, 2023

GEWA G3 Studio Electronic Drum Kit

German musical instrument manufacturer GEWA was founded in 1925 in a region known for its rich musical history. In 2020, GEWA began developing digital drums as part of their drum division. The subject of this month’s product closeup is the…

By Jason Mehler
Jan 31, 2023

Doc Sweeney’s Hollocore Snare Drum A Resonating New Twist on Shell Construction

The guys over at Doc Sweeney Drums are well known for putting together a high-quality product. They are also known for having no fear when it comes to thinking “outside the box.” A lot of people like to throw that…

By Brian Hill
Jan 31, 2023

Roland VAD507

Is it just me or are more drummers warming up to the idea of using electronic drums as their primary kit for use on stage, social media and in the studio? Even for die-hard acoustic drummers it is hard to…

By Jason Mehler
Jan 1, 2023

Samsun Cymbals Dre Energy Signature “Remix” Line

A full line of artist inspired Turkish Cymbals Tradition In Progress: Not just a catchy tag-line, but more of a statement of fact. Mustafa Diril, the founder and master cymbal craftsman of Samsun Cymbals, has been learning and plying his…

By Brian Hill
Jan 1, 2023

Roland SPD-SX PRO

Since the company’s establishment in the early 70’s, Roland Corporation has produced arguably some of the most iconic and influential electronic musical devices known to the world. Their products have shaped popular music in ways that are hard to quantify.…

By Jason Mehler
Oct 31, 2022

RTOM’s bh single zone triggers and Black Hole Practice System

When I received the Black Hole practice system starting pack from RTOM, I was unsure as to how effectively they would reduce the sound of an acoustic drum kit and I was hesitant as to how simple they would be…

By Daniel “Ziggy” Laverde
Sep 30, 2022