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.
Evans Drumheads: Level 360 All-Around!
The idea of the Mylar plastic drum head goes back as early as 1952. By the end of 1956, drummer Chick Evans had partnered up and founded Evans Products, Inc. It was this new Evans company that made it happen.…
ALESIS STRATA CORE
In October of 2024, Alesis Drums announced the launch of the Strata Core, a compact yet fully featured addition to their Strata Series of e-kits. With a 30% reduced footprint compared to its sibling the Strata Prime and a lower…
TUNE-BOT STUDIO
Overtone Labs of Denver, CO introduced the first Tune-Bot over 12 years ago. Since then, Tune-Bot has become a leader in digital drum tuning, offering a more precise and consistent tuning method for drums. For this month’s Product Close-Up, I…
NORDIC SHELLS - DIY SNARE KIT - WATERFALL BUBINGA
Nordic Shells of Maple Grove, MN has earned a reputation among drummers and custom drum builders for producing some of the finest shells on the market. Their refined manufacturing process and Grade-A materials ensure that each shell delivers exceptional tone,…
X-Percussion ARC MK1 Trigger Pad
X-Percussion ARC MK1 Pro Trigger Pad Founded in 2020, Gruv-X LLC is known for its flagship product, the X-Click: a hand-crafted Crosstick accessory that mounts to the tension rods of a snare drum. In 2024, they released a single zone…
KickTone Microphone
Last month I reviewed the KickPort Bass drum enhancer, which I found to noticeably improve my bass drum’s tone. For this month, I’m testing a companion product from KickPort, the KickTone. It is a bass drum microphone that uses two…
KickPort 2- Bass Drum Enhancer
Although the KickPort by KickPort International has been on the market for years, I thought it would be worthwhile to take a fresh look at its latest version, especially since Modern Drummer hasn’t previously reviewed it. For this Product Close-Up,…
Earthworks Audio DK6 Drum Mic Kit
Earthworks audio has earned its reputation for producing high-precision pro-grade mics and equipment. I have seen their products in-use on several major tours while filming rundowns for Modern Drummer. In July of 2024, Earthworks unveiled the DK6 Drum Mic Kit.…
Ludwig Universal Model Snare Drums—Six Sweet Cherry Plies
Let’s take a Modern Drummer Product Close-Up look at the newest version of an iconic classic snare drum from yesteryear. But first, let’s take a quick look back in time. The Ludwig “Universal” Model Snare Drums were first introduced in…
Baldman Percussion Presents: The Junk Hat 2.0!
New Junk for Sound Junkies! Mike McKee and his partner in comedy (or rather, drumming!), Danny Young, are two bald headed working drummers and percussion builders based in Nashville, TN. They call themselves Baldman Percussion. Through trial and error, these…
ddrum DDTi Trigger Interface
Originally heralded for their innovative drum triggers back in the 1980s, ddrum has since evolved into a widely respected name in both acoustic and electronic percussion. The ddrum DDTi trigger interface is a testament to the brand’s efforts to bridge…
Mighty Bright NuFlex, BrightFlex, DuoFlex, and Encore Musician’s Lights.
Mighty Bright Lights have been around for a while, and any musician or performer that works in a darker environment has probably used them, I have had one in my stick bag for years (just in case.) But Mighty Bright…
ROLAND VQD106
The Quietest Electronic Set I’ve Ever Played In October of 2024, Roland announced an all-new addition to their V-Drum product line. The VQD106 Quiet Design kit claims to be the lowest playing noise set in V-Drum history. It comes ready…
NEW SABIAN CYMBALS Sabian 20” Dominator China, 22” Wide Lip China, 22” Tempest Ride, and 18” Rocktagon
As a fan and colleague of the late Dom Famularo, I was always impressed by his passion for drums and his ability to inspire others. Seeing him perform for the first time at a clinic back in 1995, I was…
