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.
The Rebirth of the Slingerland Drum Company
For nearly a century, the Slingerland Drum Company has been a legendary name in the drumming world, celebrated for its groundbreaking innovations and unmistakable sound. From jazz pioneers to rock icons, Slingerland has been the go-to choice for some of…
1929 Ludwig Winter Scene, 1929 Mountain and Lake Gold Sparkle Trap Sets
This month we are featuring two 1929 Ludwig Trap Sets, both with original factory painted scenes on the bass drum heads. These are two wonderful examples of a working professional drummer’s set from that era. These two sets also show…
Out Now March 2025
Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performances from the drummer and/or musicians in the band. This…
Hand-Picked Vinyl March 2025
As the music world continues to see a resurgence in Vinyl (LP’s,) Vinyl Me Please (VMP) is curating and producing some of the best vinyl remasters and pressings around. They are scouring the history of recorded music for forgotten gems…
Jack Lawless' Jonas Brothers Touring Kit
Drums: Gretsch USA Custom – 9×13 rack concert tom (not pictured), 8×13 rack, 16×16 floor, 16×18 Gong drum (floor tom with no bottom head), 16×24 kick. Snares: Noble & Cooley Custom 6.5×14, Ludwig Black Beauty 6.5×14. Heads (top): Remo – Clear Pinstripe (Rack,…
VIENNA TO HOLLYWOOD
Album projects come in different sizes and shapes. Some albums are, literally, “straight ahead” and function like a snapshot capturing a moment in time, and since jazz is a music of the moment (or, in the moment), the essence of…
Roy and Zakir
At the very end of 2024 the music world lost two legendary drummers, Roy Haynes and Zakir Hussain. I am fortunate enough to have known, spent time with, and interviewed both men. Roy Haynes was my first and strongest jazz…
Drumming and Love, Love and Drumming
This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Daniel Wagoner of Browns Summit, North Carolina. Daniel commissioned Varus Drums to build this unique kit for his wife as a 50th Birthday Gift. They had originally met because Daniel…
Brush Playing, Not Air Conditioning Part 2
“And the seasons, they go round and roundAnd the painted ponies go up and downWe’re captive on the carousel of timeWe can’t return, we can only lookBehind, from where we cameAnd go round and round and round, in the circle…
DW COLLECTOR'S PURE CHERRY EXPANSION PACK, NEW SHURE SMART MICROPHONE
DW Collector’s Pure Cherry Shell Expansion Pack Now Available DW Soundworks™ has added the DW Collector’s Series® Pure Cherry Shell expansion pack to its growing range of drum samples. Cherry is a very musical wood that produces brighter attack, melodic clarity, and slightly darker…
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…
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.…
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,…
