Pearl Masters Maple Gum Review: That Studio Sound!

[@abbdrums]

Pearl knocked it out of the park with these. What do you guys think?

[@Drum4life]

Yes they did masters maple gum sound amazing it’s my next kit!!! I really like the masters I have an MCX masters.

[@jmaaybraak]

I used to own a maple Pearl Studio set a few years back and they sounded almost exactly like those. Wonderful sustained tone and very punchy mids, as you said. Great set of drums!

[@JakeStaffin]

Really liking this kit!!

[@joao_apolinario]

These color is awesome! And the sound... no coments. Congratulations!

[@likestoospooge]

Normal I wouldn’t sit through a seven minute commercial, but it’s awesome watching you play.

[@mickeajax]

Personally I think this is the best sounding Pearl kit I have ever heard. Perfect combination with 60° bearing edges and gum wood, makes thinner heads sound a little beefier without loosing the clarity. Also veeeery nice playing.

[@bebettoninja]

The kit looks and sounds amazing but you sir... what a good taste on the tuning and the soloing! Incredible as always, man!

[@RickyFicarelli]

I was lucky enough to jump behind a set of these drums at Pearl HQ here in Nashville late last year! Absolutely mental. You did an incredible job capturing the essence of these drums!! Great video my brother 🤘

[@christopherdowns2430]

So the most popular pearl masters was a Gretsch lol

[@AMDpc067]

Never ever ever ever heard a gretch sound like these.

[@Monsterdrumma]

@@AMDpc067 I would say you haven’t listened closely then. I seen Todd Sucherman play them at a clinic saying the same thing and I couldn’t disagree more being an owner of two USA custom kits. They are cool but not a Gretsch.

[@BobSchoepenjr]

Pearl couldn’t find a better guy to present this piece of art. What a sound!

[@daviddebuhr8995]

Kit sounds great, but dude, your articulate playing takes the show. Really super clean and nice to listen to.

[@Djentstructer]

Austin is kinda like a drummer version of Keanu Reeves

[@maprow]

"I want room service! I want the club sandwich, I want the cold Mexican beer, I want a $10,000 a night hooker!"

[@zildjian1884]

ah yes, that good ol' great Gretsch sound lmao

[@jeffballou2940]

I play Gretsch, different shells, different bearing edges, different sound. If this stays in tune better than my Gretsch, I am in!

[@fatheroftheclyde]

I know others have said the same already, but this is THE BEST sounding Pearl kit I've ever heard. Wow. Just wow! The snare caught me off guard at first, but it grew on me. Your playing really did these awesome drums justice, too.

[@boarhead5573]

Man, besides the phenomenal kit your tuning skills are out of that world! These toms are singing!!!

[@JakeStaffin]

This is a BEAUTIFUL kit in looks and sound. I like Pearl drums and would love to someday play a Music City Custom kit but I don't like when drum sets look "too" flashy, especially with the lugs. This kit solves all of my concerns, as the classic vibe of the lugs with the die cast hoops makes it reminiscent of the Gretsch USA Custom sound that many drummers like, but combined with the wonders of Pearl's instruments. I also love that it comes with a 22x16 bass drum as an option, shallower bass drums are really nice. I would go for the same sizes you have here (but maybe a shallower 16 floor tom if it's possible, like a 16x15) with the Black Diamond or Molten Silver wrap, and a Music City Solid Shell snare drum. I don't have a favorite drum brand but I've always been a fan of the look and sound of Pearl drums.

[@exitplan2]

Three thing, you’re an amazing player, secondly, that’s one of the best sounding 3 mic recordings I’ve heard in a while, and you seem to be in a small not too acoustically treated room, witch is a testament to those EarthWorks mics and your engineering skills. And thirdly, those drums sound very musical.

[@gibby3350]

Best Pearl kit by far!

[@afqt80]

I don't know what I like more, the sound or the playing! Great sound with only 3 mics.

[@bhaveshsolanki6485]

Pearl making some great drums again, I feel they went a little stale a few years back but they are back with a bang! That kit sounds INCREDIBLE!

[@GeoffBosco]

I never expected to hear these kind of sounds from a Pearl kit. That amount of resonance with a rounded over bearing edge? They really remind of the signature Sonor sound that I love so much. I never thought I'd say that about any Pearl drum.

[@friedpickles342]

That's what people say about my yamaha stage custom from the 90s

[@dwdrumshdmotorcyclesvirgom7379]

Haha! That’s laughable

[@phillamoore157]

With triple flanged hoops, these open up even more...i.e. Todd Sucherman kit, which IMO is one of the best sounding kits I've ever heard, if not THE best sounding kits I've ever heard. Pearl is just CRUSHING it lately.

[@Bens1LE]

Amazing! I need one next to my Tama Starclassic Performer.

[@matthewsherman9765]

The drums and playing speak for themselves. Pearl has really nailed it with this series. If I didn’t already have a Gretsch USA kit I’d seriously consider these. Something about the maple/gum formula is just a winner.

[@johnweyers2685]

Great sounding kit! 😎

[@johnhunterdrummer249]

The kit sounds a lot like a Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute. I used to have one in white marine pearl with nouveau lugs that sounded a lot like this when recorded. It was a great kit, and, knowing Pearl's craftmanship and robust design, I'm sure the Masters Maple Gum is a more advanced version. Beautiful finish, too! Very classy.

[@johnrobinson8323]

Awesome sounding drums! These are definitely the one! You know. Theee one! The new measure of affordable but great sounding acoustic drums. I just love the sound! 🥁❤

[@kipperfeast]

I have never liked the sound of Pearl drums... until now. Apparently, to get great-sounding Pearl drums, you have to buy the top-notch line.

[@pauluscarteris]

Or just get them under the hands of Austin Burcham! Pearl's SSC and MCT lines can sound great with the right attention and treatment.

[@DanyMeyer]

Awesome Austin!!! ☺️☺️☺️☺️ I got mine in February this year and I'm so in love with the Pearl Maple Gum. This kit is dope ✌️ I did some drumcovers on my channel using my Maple Gum kit if you want to check it out ☺️ Thanks for this really lovely and stunning performance!

[@Kjodienda]

Hey man, congratulations! I think it's one of the best reviews I've ever seen, and your playing brought out the best in the kit. These drums are not only easy on the eyes, they're incredibly full of tone. I have a question however, how do you get such incredible tone from two overhead mics? I know those aren't JC Penny microphones, but holy shit everything sounded so good!

[@abbdrums]

The Earthworks SR25’s and some strategic mixing can get you a pretty great sound! Close mics aren’t as important as they may seem, but I still use them most of the time for a little reinforcement.

[@alexntemperley]

The drums sound great! Wow. Their quality is accentuated by your restrained yet excellent playing and mixinng/mic'ing skills Austin. You demonstrated the tone and dynamics of the kit beautifully.

[@renatomiceli1778]

Renato Miceli Hi, could you please do a video (Study the greats) of an analysis of some polyrhythmic double bass drum / snare grooves by Tomas Haake (Meshuggah) ? I think you should check out some of their songs, i think he really deserves it.. Their stuff is just crazy, and very underrated. Highly recommended songs: -Clockworks (Intro B's floor-tom/kick/snare linear groove, 9/4 over 4 polyrhythm; the verses pattern, 23/8 against 4 polyrhythmic cycle; chorus, 17/8 over 4 polyrhythm), -Spasm (the verses pattern, 19/16 over 4 polyrhythm; the guitar solo section pattern, 27/16 over 4 polyrhythm), -Glints Collide (the grooves in the middle of the song are all composed by a 13/16 against 4 polyrhythm), -The Mouth Licking What You've Bled (the guitar solo pattern, 19/16 over 4 polyrhythm; ending section pattern, 9/16 against 4 polyrhythm), -Dancers to a Discordant System (the breakdown in the middle of the song, 14/8 over 12/8 polyrhythm; the pattern of the guitar solo section, 29/8 over 12/8 polyrhythm), -Electric Red (the pattern of the section in the middle of the song, 31/16 against 4 polyrhythm), -New Millennium Cyanide Christ (Intro pattern, 23/16 against 4 polyrhythm; bridge/guitar solo section pattern, 9/16 against 4 polyrhythm)

[@jkben7415]

Extremley well done video. The tuning,and the 3 mic placement, was very well done. One of the best video presentations I have ever seen !

[@e.4457]

As frequências estão subindo ao invés de descerem e mesmo aumentando de tamanho os intervalos dos tambores ficam muito próximos, como sapatos em um tablado. Esse padrão de tensão não é o natural, por isso esse desajuste. Aparelhos afinadores trabalham nesse padrão porque não são humanos e não são capazes de interpretar o contexto sonoro de um tambor. A sensação de estarem afinados é até agradável para os leigos mas geram inúmeros problemas e muito trabalho na mixagem. Ao vivo então..só por Deus! 😂

[@joshhartwell6124]

5:43 - I have to know what sticking this is. SO TASTY

[@user-hh6mv2en4e]

K l r K R l

[@ethanm1261]

That bookmarking of the inner gum ply is brutal. They're no doubt solid, durable, sound very good, (outer maple ply very lackluster - where is that maple sourced?) Taiwan made, great bang for your buck. But if you had a flagship line from a prestigious drum maker like Pearl -which I used to idolize and dream about - would you want your drums to be made in Taiwan, versus Japan? Or China versus Germany(Sonor) or China versus USA(DW) etc...

[@PaulMarangoni]

That Meccano mounting system is a deal breaker. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3XLgZR5gNNrm9k They do sound very nice though.

[@Severen45]

That snare is up my alley! Tons of crack but nice dry, and articulate without a ton of ring. Gotta get myself one of those!

[@michaelcavazuti3270]

What size is that snare?

[@Buddythunder1]

Beautifully played! Real showcase. Lovely drums, but that snare... I absolutely love high-end Pearl snares.

[@jordancollins7714]

Just buy a Gretsch USA and you’ll have the deal deal! I’ve owned 3 DW Collectors, Pearl and a bunch of PDP’s. In my opinion nothing touches the USA kits, even their Renown’s are better sounding than DWs high stuff.

[@RossLambert801]

Austin, truly a masterpiece review. The kit sounds amazing. Your recording chain and processing really brought out the best of the drums. And your drumming sounded perfect given the tone of the kit. Well done.

[@jonreintjensdrums]

why do i hear the starwars theme in the drum intro XD

[@timlovegrove1097]

That's an incredible sounding kit given the mic setup! I'd tune the toms a little lower for my taste but it really shows off how responsive and expressive they are

[@stevenabi5095]

Holy cow... singing toms and punch throughout, but responsive with a light touch! Yes! Playin was ok too 💯

[@ShadowDatsas]

Daaaamn this sounds good! And the playing also on fire! I could even see some "dave weckl triplets" right there! But I am wondering: was there any significant reverb post-processing? The drums sound really full, like they fill the entire room! Is it because they are just that awesome or you also tweaked the sound a bit?

[@devinbuchhorn]

mmmmmhhmmmmmm damn son....you got those things sounding like heaven. I have been really impressed with what Pearl has been doing lately.

[@alkingborn]

Sorry but I never liked any Japanese or Taiwanese drum kit. Excellent hardware but as far as sound I'm more on Gretsch, Craviotto, N&C oriented.

[@Rick-m3c]

Really excellent job tuning Austin. I'd like to hear what you could do with a set of clear emperors or g2s.

[@mjm5081]

A joy to listen to. Thanks for sharing. Continued success and Happy Drumming!

[@Marvinkslee]

would like to know your mic setup too, thank you 🙏

[@sammyloehnis3373]

4:00

[@IBitePrettyHardSH]

Love your playing and review. Although, I think you may be getting a little carried away with the EQ. It sounds fantastic. A little too fantastic in fact. It sounds unreal...larger than life...which is totally fine for a performance. But for a review where people need accurate sound, I think it may lead to unrealistic expectations. Just my 2 cents. Love the vids!

[@adamwatkins3313]

Hear here

[@fl00d69]

I'd rather hear it as its best. Do you go for 'accurate' on a recording, or good?

[@adamwatkins3313]

Pretty sure he said demo. When I demo drums I just go play them to hear their natural acoustics not all tweaked and processed. Just saying

[@p.diddle]

At least demo the sound with only a room mic, so you can get a feel for how they ‘really’ sound. But, anyway they sound really amazing anf great job with the tuning and eq!

[@bradura1049]

Mr Burcham is great drummer and soundmaker.The drums is not important,every drum set over$ 800-1000 in this room will be great sounding

[@johndavolta3124]

I am new to drums, where does Pearl fall in the drumming world for overall quality and sound? I know each brand (like any instrument) have different tiers of products, but where is it in general?

[@justinreynolds3935]

Killer drums. Everyone keeps saying just buy a gretsch usa custom for less money. But I will say Pearl build quality is way better and consistent than gretsch. And these look better. Lots of guys using these in studio now. That says a lot. Killer playing dude.

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Man.. miss this channel!!! Hope you not gone for good! 🙂

[@janetremsing6988]

😮👍‼️TOTALLY KILLER playing & drums!!!!

[@brentniemi961]

Fantastic review and stellar playing...I have a set on order...6 months time...light amber finish...stoked!!

[@nikolanikolov9275]

This is amazing world level sound , I think is not possible to do that only with fucusrite preamps and logic x pluggins

[@HaydesGrooves]

Nice Tunning intervals. Sounds great. I prefer lower tunning how do they sound with that?

[@bonzoligist2432]

What's the sound comparison with the maple/gum vs the masters maple reserve????....I'm not in an area to try the kits in person but I'm stuck weather to get the gum maple or the the masters reserve

[@shanemartin8904]

I have some secret information for pearl. if you want to make a more better sounding drumkit then Gretsch has a 30 degree edge. You guys should make your edges 30 deg. This is inside info

[@MELONenSURPRISE]

I Always hated that name Pearl but this kit Sounds very good ...if they only named it cheese or anything but Pearl yakety yak

[@brixsican7293]

The toms are killing me with that sound😍and your drum solo is perfect on that kit🤩

[@MattGarwood777]

Please please do a video on exactly how you placed these mics and processed the kit. I’ve never heard the recorder man get this epic result. Loved the video!

[@angelkf87]

Are You using internal mics ir just overheads? Because if this kind can come out by just usin overs, wow just wow

[@jabezscratch]

The drums sound amazing. Great playing and video.

[@robertcozart6081]

Pretty sound you have going. I appreciate the cymbal sound

[@andreasjonsson8075]

I think it would feel better to play with triple flange hoops. The sound is amazing though

[@minisurfbanana]

Must repacking all those drums and sending them back! Or you got to keep it? Lol

[@SMBDTC]

What a tasty drumming Austin. This kit sounds really really good.

[@jamescassidy4045]

So it was just the Overhead mics (in recorderman) and a kick mic, that’s it?

[@zivmoerman1844]

its the usa costum shell pearl version...

[@jeffhelmlinger7914]

Fantastic sounding kit by an awesome drummer, great job Pearl, and awesome job, Austin

[@GeorgeBuck-d5b]

Your snare drum sounds great! What are the drum dial settings for your snare drum?

[@vincentmontagna1711]

Very nice... You definitely have drum corps roots.

[@erikondrums]

Just got my Maple Gum kit! 20,10,12,14. Love it! So vibrant!

[@stevenfederico2594]

I am not a pearl guy, but your drumming and demonstration was greatly appreciated

[@citydrums7525]

Nice review & playing. Pearl has created great sounding drums with the Maple Gum configuration. Really tasty sounding...

[@doopum1]

Would have been nice to hear a beat with ride and hi hat, just to hear it more separately

[@markmullen9919]

They sound fantastic. The Gretsch fanboys are out in full force.

[@jedfriesen]

Amazing all around man! Great everything.

[@jdpdrums103]

Excellent sounding and playing !!

[@darrenproctor1687]

Sounds close to my used 1995 maple custom which cost me £300 lol

[@arsonne]

This guy needs to come back. Great player and teacher

[@aviasindo]

please make the review about the hybrid exotic kapur snare.

[@friedpickles342]

My 90s yamaha stage custom sounds better than this.

[@diegomora6565]

Another planet!!!! Increible sounds...

[@lifeonmars4151]

WHAT IS THE FEEL DIFFERENCE IN REBOUND WITH THOSE EDGES ON THE TOMS / this is drastic different edge then say 45 degree edge with counter cut / being that different = IS THAT THE BEST BERING EDGE ? or is it sluggish or does it perform with sound tone and feel better and you would put it on every thing / my opinion so far is 30 degrees is best however this edge is interesting i want to try lol ,.

[@lifeonmars4151]

also maple gum with this edge seems legit= sonic-lee nice sounding rounds it punches it and all that , i wonder about the feel - -- ----

[@Poeme340]

You can play, man-whew! Sophisticated drumming-just letting those beauties sing-excellent!👍👍

[@MrBeblis]

Wow, it's amazing how people still fall for this.. it doesn't make a difference what wood is sandwiched in between the inner and outer ply, sound does not travel through glue that is used so you can have unicorn poop sandwiched between maple and it's still maple.. the only factors that make up drum sound are, depth, drum heads and bearing edges that's it.. there have been many experiments done to prove this, I have done many myself just to see if it was true.. so these companies like pearl, DW and etc.. that say we used this wood I'm between this wood and used it in horizontal and vertical orientation are just blowing smoke...

[@kevinbothwell8425]

It’s not so much that sound passes through the wood as it is general vibration and kinetic energy. It’s not just marketing. Partially? Sure. But everything that goes into she’ll construction matters. I would say that bearing edges have the most effect on overall tone, but every little bit matters.

[@RonHaslam]

Those drums sound excellent. Nice Job Austin 👍

[@terrydonegan1622]

I've just bought this actual kit with 1 floor tom

[@bryanblackburn7074]

Great sounding drums I really like that snare drum.

[@egbuonuechezonachukwu4451]

Awesome work! Still looking for the drum mics

[@kellykuzinskir5182]

Pearl is killin it right now. Fantastic kit, but even better snare. Great Job I n the review/demo Austin.

[@charliecontrino1626]

So Pearl made Gretsch drums?? LOL!!

[@c-mac9177]

@Austin Burcham, what’s the tuning on the toms?

[@knowhandedbob]

The old Gretsch jasper shells used maple and gum and are also killer

[@beetlejews]

Beautiful kit and and a beautiful demonstration

[@xaverk]

Austin, it is hard to find a better drum sound than this. I'm sure. I play a Pearl Masters MMX and love its sound, too. But it is not the same. Did you ever post a video about your tuning method?

[@si1995gtnupe1997]

I too own a MMX (2006), and the drums that are featured in this video a different shell composition than our MMX, so it’s tough to ask for a tuning method, which will still yield different sonic results.

[@NicholaiYonan-xh9rk]

Beautiful. And the drums ain't bad either.

[@augsdoggs]

Beautiful kit. Beautiful playing. Smooth and clean on both counts. I have a Pearl kit bought new in 1985 (Prestige World Series). Always great to see how they’ve progressed and that they’re still doing it well.

[@paistefever]

Thanks for the killer demo. Been a life long fan of Pearls and they always deliver. I own Crystal Beat and Wood Fiberglass. REALLY wanted to check these out but not really enough proper demos. Thanks for making it, they are awesome :)

[@jonn443]

Beautiful kit. I'm a Gretch guy and love the Yamaha Recording Custom and the Sonor SQ1/2 but my first kid was Pearl and I've always had wanted a reason to go back at some point..I may have found it.