My Drum Setup & Recommended Gear for Students

🥁 Acoustic Drum Kits I Use

• Sound Percussion Labs Kicker 5-Piece (Dark Red)
  I love this set — it’s a simple, affordable practice kit that gets the job done with a surprisingly nice tone.

• DW Design Series 5-Piece Shell Pack (Tobacco Burst)
  I went out of my way to get something built with quality and tone in mind. While it looks great, I really chose it for the powerful rock sound I wanted.

🦶 Pedals

• DW 3000 Series Double Bass Drum Pedal (DWCP3002)
  This is a great starting point for a double pedal. Smooth feel, reliable build. I look forward to exploring more pedal types and comparing them.

🥁 Cymbals

Why Meinl?
I visited Sam Ash and Guitar Center countless times, testing cymbals from Zildjian, Sabian, and Meinl. I love Zildjian Custom A’s and the Sabian Stratus series — but in the end, Meinl caught my ear with its rich, dark tones, and I’ve had no regrets.

• Meinl Classics Custom Dark Cymbal Set (14” Hats, 20” Ride, 16” Crash + FREE 18” Crash)
  Great for modern rock/pop with a dark, crisp sound.

• Meinl 18" China Cymbal – Classics Custom Dark

• Meinl 8" Splash Cymbal – Classics Custom Dark

• Meinl Ching Ring – Tambourine Jingle Effect

🥁 Drumsticks & Effects

Drum sticks change often — there are so many great options out there. I’ll be adding more links soon.

• Promark FireGrain 5A Drumsticks (Oval Tip)
  My go-to sticks — durable and balanced for any style.

• Meinl Nylon Cajon Brushes (Retractable)

⚡ Electronic Drum Set

• Donner Beat Max Electronic Drum Set
  Incredible value. The touchscreen allows you to tweak kits, view practice data, and read along with sheet music. The triple-zone ride cymbal with choke is a huge bonus. Mesh heads, 100 kits, USB MIDI — great for quiet practice and lesson mobility.

🪘 Percussion Instruments

When I’m hired to play for singer-songwriters or small acoustic sets, these instruments take the performance to the next level. The Meinl Jumbo Subwoofer Cajon delivers incredible bass and snare clarity. I’ve gotten compliments every time I’ve used it.

• Meinl Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon

• Meinl Luis Conte Artist Series Shaker

• Meinl Foot Tambourine

• Meinl Medium Pitch Steel Cowbell (4.5")

• Meinl Hand Motion Finger Shaker

• Meinl 10" Traditional Tambourine (Goat Skin, 2-Row)

🎒 Accessories

• Meinl 22" Rip Stop Cymbal Bag

• Meinl Drum Stick Bag (with Floor Tom Hooks)

🔰 Drum Gear Recommendations for Students

If you’re just starting out, here are beginner-friendly kits I’ve recommended to students over the years. These options offer a balance of affordability, quiet practice, and great sound quality.

🥁 Great Beginner Electronic Drum Sets

• Alesis Nitro Max Kit
  10-piece set with Bluetooth, quiet mesh heads, and Drumeo access.

• Donner DED-200X
  Great starter bundle including throne, headphones, and sticks.

• Donner DED-200 MAX
  Upgraded pads and sounds — ideal for a more realistic feel.

🥁 Intermediate to Advanced Electronic Drum Sets

• Donner Beat Max (Same as my setup)

  Incredible value. The touchscreen allows you to tweak kits, view practice data, and read along with sheet music. The triple-zone ride cymbal with choke is a huge bonus.

• Roland TD-07KV V-Drums Kit
  Industry standard for electronic kits — dual-ply mesh heads and Bluetooth.

• Alesis Strata Core Electric Drum Set
  Touchscreen interface, active magnetic hi-hat, and premium sampling.