Thanks for checking out my channel. As a total drum gear nerd, I love being able to record Sound Demos, Drum Covers and even the occasional drum solo(s). I've amassed a whole bunch of snare drums, several drum kits and a lot of cymbals through the years. A result of the never ending pursuit of specific sounds and gear. Hopefully, I can help inspire and guide anyone looking for their own sound, and their own voice which is ultimately also my aim. And as an added bonus, you also get to get an insight into my journey as I learn to capture performances and get better at recording. I look forward to sharing content using quality audio recording and video editing and would love to check your channel out too!
I proudly endorse... SONOR DRUMS UFIP CYMBALS AGNER DRUMSTICKS
I still have mine in white pearl, all birch new in 2005. They were set up right next to a sweet set of dw's with same setup. I went back and forth playing on both and I have to say I did like the dw's a little better. Dw's were $2400 for the 5 piece shell kit, Tama's were $1200 for same. I went home with the Tama's and another $1200 in cymbals, stands, and sweet rack system. While after that bought nice Paiste Signatures, Sabian hihats n ride. Love it!
Lol. At first I thought your comment was sarcasm. I didn't notice the specific line of kit it was when I clicked on the video and the kit sounded so good, I just assumed it was a made in Germany one.
@@GeoffBosco I've been following you for a little while and I appreciate your work. I'm the guy who was inquiring about purchasing an AQ2 and what not. So I did get a bit of a deal on one and purchased one, there is so much I love about it but I'm sending it back because it seemed to have some QC issues and I'm not saying Sonor is definitely to blame for that one. It's a shame it has some issues because I loved everything else about it, the hardware designs (except the bass drum claw hooks) so I'm gonna end up going for a Yamaha kit instead because my sales rep told me that it's very likely I'll get a kit with the same issues again. But on the other hand, I had no idea that Sonor made versions of the "lower end" lines that are made in Germany. I thought it was all made in China - anything that is above the AQ2 series.
@@brandonmuschenick2785 Those are good points. I don't need to move my drums, so the strength of the hardware is a lesser issue than the sound for me. Thanks for the kind words.
@@brandonmuschenick2785 I am bummed to hear that your Sonor venture did not work out. ALL AQ series kits (AQ1 / AQ2 / AQX) are Made in China. But this doesn't mean that the QC suffers - at least not in my experience. And I own (and have owned) a lot of Chinese made Sonors (AQ1 / AQ2 / AQX / Force 2007 / Force 3007 / Special Edition / Ascent / Essential Force) so I kinda know what I'm talking about. I guess every brand would have QC issues, it's never a 100% perfect record by companies. And it's something that is never exclusive to a brand. But I am still sad that Sonor did not work for you, but I am happy that you fell into another good brand anyway. Have fun.
From what I know its a blend of Maple / Birch & Mahogany and barrowing the concept from their Masterworks program, they change the mix as the size of the shell changes.
The problem with Pearl drums, is they have so many top lines of drums, you have no clue what to buy lol they're all so amazing sounding. Sonor has SQ1/2, DW has collectors series, Tama has their Star line and so on. Pearl just hits you with like 5 different families that are astounding lol
Great playing man - sounds fantastic! Sonor SQ2 baby! The cymbals all have such great color and space to them! I may have to look into those Lewitt LCT 240s.
Thank you. And definitely check the LCT 240s out, the way I record/mix I get 60-70% of the kit sound from the OH so I am very happy with them - total fluke though. I never would have thought large condensers would do such a good job since the ceiling to the studio is low. But it does!
@@macaranas yes - sounds great! I'm currently using Rode NT1s for OHs, and am quite happy with them. The pencil condensers I've tried seem more harsh than the large condensers. I too have shifted to more OH sound in the mix. Your stuff sounds great! Keep it up!
@@macaranas This is a fact. I was the guy who was inquiring about the AQ2 versus another kit or whatever. There's a consistency especially with the less expensive Sonor kits where you seem to just know the Sonor sound and how to tune these drums because your's sound better, or just "right" in comparison to the other Sonor kit reviews on the internet. Keep up the dedication and compassion.
Nice! Great stuff man! Totally sounds like a song where Chris Coleman would go absolutely insane! :) I'll have to look into it, maybe he already did! Props brother!
I'm pretty sure Chris hasn't done any Evan tracks yet; overdue for sure. He'd kill it. But of course make sure you have to get yourself a big dose of Dana Hawkins. Such an awesome drummer!
I could've worked it with more sustain if I wanted. It has to balance with the rest of the kit. I didn't have access to a big-shell kick that can resonate for days. The overall theme is punchy, low fundamental, warm tones. Hence when I played the groove, the sustain of the toms, the boom of the kick dictates the tempo. I always try to get the drums (at least the toms and snare) to sustain up to a quarter note length. Any more than that is just mush / mud.
oh wow, thank you for tuning in and for the kind words. I still dabble on the trad grip, but primarily a matched grip guy. I'd love to attempt another Virgil cover for sure...
Thank you or your interest, the heads on the toms are G2 Coated which I was trying out at the time. In fact watch me tinker around with it here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-m9kbiTHZJfQ.htmlsi=JOYJXSbhJZUKlU_T
So I just grabbed this in the Studio configuration for woodshedding. I also own the SQ1. Did I make the right move, or should I have grabbed a maple kit like a Renown or Design?
If I was to pick between an AQ1 / Gretsch Renown or DW Design I would have a hard time picking - they're on par to me. But since you already have a SQ1 (Birch) it probably wouldn't have hurt getting a bit more variety in Maple so maybe n AQ2.
@@macaranas For some reason I’ve gotten stuck with birch 😂. It’s only for practice and gigging. I like having a workhorse and a show horse. I’m either exchanging it or keeping it, but I do like the Caribbean blue. It’s tough to choose.
What are your thoughts on this drum kit, the Sonor AQ1 versus the pretty well known Yamaha Stage Custom? I'm not sure if my budget will allow me to afford the Sonor AQ2 kit I've been thinking about. I just saw in another comment that you said the hardware is flimsy on the Stage Custom and that there is a difference in the bearing edges. I would love to know more; I'm trying to pull the trigger on getting a new kit. Only thing is, it is a disappointment that it may be difficult to find add-on drums. I could live without an 8' but if I could find a 14' that would be great if I go for the stage configuration. Thank you in advance! I've heard people say that the snare on the stage custom goes out of tune pretty easily and that the rims are rather flimsy too.
The AQ1 vs the Stage Custom is definitely a bit of a 'on-par' situation. I think they're equal in my opinion. The AQ1 vs AQ2 however has distinct differences - in sound and overall build quality. I actually don't know why. I feel that the hoops are 2.3mm in the AQ2 (1.6mm on the AQ1), finishes are much more varied on the AQ2, and ply thickness (maybe). The Birch vs Maple conversation can also be had, but I don't think it makes much difference, not to me anyway. The AQ2 is far more superior in all aspects. BUT Like anything - buy the best you can afford. And if you have to, buy secondhand to maximise the value for benefit to you. Anything to bring you joy as fast as possible right? I hope you can get behind your new drums soon!
@@macaranas Thank you man. If I do go the more "budget" route, and I remember you telling me that the AQ2 is especially superior in terms of the sound coming towards you, the drummer, closer to an SQ2 in that sense, you mentioned that the shell work on the AQ1 is superior to that of the Yamaha stage custom? And the hardware? I'd like a little more detail on that if you don't mind. To my ears the AQ1 tone seems to be a little more "open" and I suppose resonant compared to that of the Yamaha's. Sorry to trouble you my man. I like that you are encouraging me to go for better with the AQ2 though. I may have found a deal 500$ or so more or less off of the original asking price. "Mint'" condition open box kind of deal.
Go the AQ2 if you can afford it. Its also possible to add more drums in the same finish - you cant do that with AQ1. Yamaha SC and AQ1 hardware feels / looks / functions the same. But remember, the Sonor lugs are in a way 'better' than Yamaha since they still have the tune-safe feature, even at the Asian made AQ lines. SQ2 is a different beast - I view it more as a route to customise whether you want Vintage / SQ1 or Prolite OR mix of all 3. So it will always be hard to compare and SQ2 to anything.
I've owned an Aq2 and a stage custom. With the right heads, both are lovely. Can't go wrong with either one. Yams are much easier to find add-ons without having to wait for them. Best of luck!❤😊
