Pearl Reference 8pc Piano Black Drum Kit Demo with Stephen Whitesides

[philw19642002]

I guess drums were my strong part as an Audio Engineer/Producer in Hollywood,CA for more then 10 years and five LPs that I did work on went multi--Platinum. Nah I have no clue. Right!!!

[philw19642002]

Not too good!! Sounds like a row of cardboard boxes being hit upon. The kik drums are tuned way too high and very hard to tell when he is playing double bass. Zildjuan cymbals! I would not let my dog play those damn things!! Another bad dream for engineers that is unless they are brand new then they can be EQ'd out to sound better.

[ItalianAvalanche]

I think you guys have too much eq in this vid. I feel like either the eq or the tuning is keeping these drums form sounding as good as they could.

[GreenbrierPercussion]

@ItalianAvalanche With brand new heads, it's tough to keep in in tune for the first few days. That's definitely a factor. As for the EQ, we had to scoop some extra low in because using two sm81 mics for so many drums forced us to use them at a distance, and that definitely flattened the tone. We wanted the vid to show off what the drums sound like from inside the kit. It's not too far off.

[SlipknotDT97]

Hi, what's your take on the Sonor Ascent series? I'm seriously considering buying one this year, but I'm not sure whether to choose the Sonor Ascent series, Pearl Masterworks or perhaps even a Tama Starclassic kit. I like playing metal and enjoy a tight sound in my drums. I am happy with my Pearl Joey Jordison 13" signature snare model and love the sound. I am into Progressive Metal and Progressive Rock but also occasionally dabble in some Jazz Rock/Jazz. Please advise me.

[GreenbrierPercussion]

@SlipknotDT97 My take? Sonor Ascent is warm and vintage sounding. Jazz, alternative, rock, yes. Metal? Not ideal. You had it right at a Pearl MCX or a Tama Starclassic. If you have the coin though, Pearl Reference is hands down the best metal drum set.

[fallout3rocks889]

Would Evans Ec2's work good on this? I'm going for like a hard rock/ metal approach on it?

[MrMage95]

that snare sound like shit

[spikeman23]

The snare is 20 ply maple and birch. 14 outer plies of maple and six inner birch i believe.

[just4thelolz]

If I had to choose a color for my high-end/high-dollar kit, I would definitely not choose black or any plain colors, instead I would choose a more vivid color and also a more complex design for my high-gloss lacquer finish.

[GreenbrierPercussion]

@just4thelolz To each their own! I tend to play the sound more than the look, but luckily when you're in the upper end like these, you can find a way to have your cake and eat it too :D

[just4thelolz]

@GreenbrierPercussion Yes, I know some people LOVE this black piano finish, I don't, and as you said indeed sound matters most than looks, but in this level of drums, one is able to have our own drum kit of our dreams, and again, to be honest, I think black makes it look more generic looking if you will (just meh..and not WOW), no matter how good the sound could possibly get, but for me sound should meet looks at this level.

[serenopiovoso]

I don't think that Reference is a drumset created for the double bass drum.....isn't a rock set sounds

[GreenbrierPercussion]

@serenopiovoso Interesting, the majority of people tend to disagree, but it's very subjective!



[spikeman23]

@serenopiovoso  Wrong

[iDrum2Cum]

ATM, I'm using tama but I'm strongly thinking of moving into pearl. Preferably a 2x bass and 5 toms + snare(8 piece). What is the best mid priced set I can get from pearl? Not alot, but not cheap. Maybe 900-1200 dollar range. Not worried about hardwRe and cymbals, I'm getting gibralter double bass rack and Sabian AAX cymbals soon. Pls respond to a good intermediate set I can get from pearl for a good price! Thx

[GreenbrierPercussion]

@iDrum2Cum I'd go for a Vision VBX (birch). They record the best. Call me at 540 372 DRUM for pricing options in that range - easy.

[vhdrummer1997]

@iDrum2Cum na dude get pearl vml they will last for u a long time and the have a good sound and finish possible

[SEPTICSOUNDS13]

@iDrum2Cum tama birch bubinga kits sound awsome. pearl mid range stuff isn't that great. if you could get a second hand sonor sq2 that would be your best choice, btw, i think that meinl are the top cymbal company at the moment, sabian have been left behind.

[philw19642002]

@SEPTICSOUNDS13 Birch drums are good for live playing but a Night Mare for engineers in the recording studio. I know this because I was an Engineer in Hollywood,CA for 9 years and always hated to see a Tama set or any set made of birch. You can go on any recording forum sites and other engineers will tell you the very same thing/

[ggk4xlb91]

@philw19642002 Birch is made for studio use- in fact it's the most recorded wood of all time due to it's shorter sustain and balance of high/low frequencies. Any decent soundguy knows this. Maple is what shines for live playing because of it's volume and stronger mid frequencies.

[JCordoba1001]

onyx heads on a reference? you sir are crazy. remo pinstripes or coated emperors are the way to go with the reference.

[ajcf1995]

@JCordoba1001 no clear ambassadors so you can let the shells sing

[JCordoba1001]

@ajcf1995 depending on what style of music you play. I play hard rock and metal, I prefer the warmth and durability of a 2ply head.

[Skylinecarguy]

Nice set, 2 bad I don't have the dough.

[bondjamesbond12]

are the pedals included?

[GreenbrierPercussion]

@bondjamesbond12 If you want them, we can include them in a package deal. Call 540372DRUM

[FCAPO93]

how is tuned the kit??

[GreenbrierPercussion]

@FCAPO93 I believe Steve tuned these drums in a mid tuning range

[DragonHeart9610]

Now that's a drumset! Great playing Steven. Approx. how much does this cost?

[GreenbrierPercussion]

@DragonHeart9610 Check out our listing on ebay, search for Pearl Reference 8pc Kit Piano Black Double Bass Drum Set + Hardware, or give us a call at 540-372-drum

[ajcf1995]

most beautiful kit ever