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1 Jun

REVIEWED: SLAM DRUM HEADS

Jade Australia | jadeaustralia.com.au | Various prices

SLAM drum heads have been out for a few years now, offering drummers budget priced options for skins. They still use the same materials and construction methods from the major brands, secured to the rim using a collar lock system. I got to try some full fat, 2ply variants – Clear Hydra (0.188mm & 0.188mm) and Double Clear Singlet (0.175mm & 0.188mm) as a 22” Fusion Pack (10”, 12”, 14”, 22” and 14” snare).

1 Jun

19 May

REVIEWED: PEARL ELIMINATOR REDLINE DRUM PEDALS

Australasian Music Supplies | austmusic.com.au | Expect To Pay: Various Prices

The original PowerShifter Eliminator was a game changer in the pedal world because it gave the drummer great possibilities when it came to adjustability and being able to tweak/tune to get that perfect feel. One major factor in controlling the feel of the pedal was the interchangeable cam that could give more speed or more power. Building on the massive success of the Eliminator comes the new Redline, and there’s a lot to be happy about when looking at this mid-range pedal that sits right between the base Demonator and the flagship DemonDrive.

19 May

9 Sep

Alesis Command Electronic Drum Kit

Electric Factory | elfa.com.au | Expect to pay: $999

Alesis has been changing the face of electronic percussion over the last 18 months. Their new lines of innovative and affordable products have been winning 
the hearts of consumers worldwide. The 2016 NAMM show in Anaheim California saw Alesis release five new E-Kit lines: Strike, Command, Crimson, Forge and Nitro. The Command, Forge and Nitro E-Kits are the first to hit Australian shores, and they’ve been highly anticipated by E-Kit enthusiasts.

9 Sep

16 May

Sonor Perfect Balance Pedal By Jojo Mayer

Drum Partner | (03) 9416 9521 | www.drumpartner.com.au | RRP: $399

Jojo Mayer is somewhat of a legend these days. He’s firmly secured
 his place in the drummer’s hall of fame as someone who possesses incredible technique and a unique approach to replicating electronic sounds on the drum kit. His instructional videos have inspired drummers all over the world to improve their hands. Things got scarier though when Jojo showed everyone what he could do with one foot. His combination of sliding, swivel and heel/toe paved the way to the design of a new pedal that Jojo swears by for the working drummer. The Perfect Balance pedal aims to end the search for the ultimate bass drum pedal – with some amazing features on board.

16 May

9 May

Promark Select Balance Drumsticks

D’Addario | (03) 8761 6293 | www.daddario.com.au | RRP $21.99

My first contact with Promark was in 1997. I was watching a Modern Drummer Festival that featured then Pat Metheny drummer Paul Wertico (Google Paul Wertico Modern Drummer Festival 1997). The guy played with fire and creativity and bought tones out of the kit I’d never heard. The highlight for me was when he covered his kit in a bed sheet and started hitting it with these red plastic tubes. I had to have a pair, whatever they were. After some research, I found and ordered my first pair of Promark Tubz. I still have them. In 2011, D’Addario purchased Promark, and they have continued the tradition of innovation that Herb started back in 1957. Promark have the tightest weight and pitch tolerance in the industry. They also pride themselves on being on the forefront of sustainability by planting five trees for every one they cut down. Keeping with their innovative past, Promark released the Select Balance Range in 2015. This simple, but ground- breaking concept has changed the drum stick game!

9 May

20 Apr

Gas Custom Drums Gas Bass MCM

Gas Drums Australia | 0414 933 598 | www.gascustomdrums.com | RRP: $695

Scott Green has been tinkering with drums since 2002, and launched Gas Custom Drums in 2007. Scott is a highly respected auto electrician, and his work on high-performance show cars has gained him a reputation for finesse and attention to detail. These skills have seen Scott become a leader in the design and manufacture of world-class acrylic drums. Scott is a recording enthusiast and Beatles Fan. He drew inspiration from the bands use of Reverse diaphragm speaker technology to capture some of their most prolific work. This led him to develop and build the Gas Bass MCM.

20 Apr

13 Apr

Alesis SamplePad 4

Electric Factory | (03) 9474 1000 | www.elfa.com.au | RRP: $299

Alesis have been changing the face of electronic percussion over the last 18 months. Their new lines of innovative, affordable and easy to use electronic drumkits, sample racks and portable sample pads have been winning the hearts of consumers worldwide. The Alesis SamplePad Pro hit Australian shores in July 2015 and was an instant success. The unit offered a huge range of features, was slick looking, easy to use and affordable. 2016 has seen the release of the Alesis SamplePad 4. This 4 pad version of the SamplePad Pro is a compact and powerful tool that makes it even easier for musicians to enjoy unlimited sound potential live and in the studio. Last week mine arrived. The phrase “good things come in small packages” sprang 
to mind straight away. I took the unit out of the box and was immediately impressed by the compact, sleek and modern looking unit. It felt solid, but not heavy.

13 Apr

2 Mar

Mapex P800TW Armory Double Pedal

Electric Factory | (03) 9474 1000 | www.elfa.com.au | RRP: Contact For Pricing

Mapex bass drum pedals had always been a little hit and miss for me – until recent years. The revelation came when I tried the (then new) Falcon pedal. It was a total game changer for me and combined with some great snare/kit innovations, Mapex was firmly back on the map and in the pointy end of the drum world. Now, Mapex has released their mid-range pedal for the masses, and just because it sits beneath the flagship Falcon doesn’t mean it’s low rent. Enter the new Armory Chain Drive Double Bass Pedal.

2 Mar

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