Is This The BEST Starter Drum Set You Can Buy? Mapex Venus Review/Demo
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- Опубліковано 8 кві 2022
- Drum Only Version: • The New Mapex Venus Dr...
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Mapex Venus (Finish & Configuration Shown in This Video):
imp.i114863.net/b3rkrb
Other Configurations & Finishes:
imp.i114863.net/kj14P3
Other Gear Used:
Earthworks DK7 Drum Mic Kit:
imp.i114863.net/mP25y
Lewitt DTP 640 REX Bass Drum Mic
imp.i114863.net/jW3Odn
Vic Firth Freestyle 5b Drum Sticks:
imp.i114863.net/045EO
Music used (background & playalongs)
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Nothing like a good ole' beginner drum set review! Today we take a look at the new Mapex Venus
drum set. This drum kit is the rock configuration with 10" 12" toms, 16" floor tom, 22" bass drum, and 14" snare in Aqua Blue Sparkle. But also comes in a Fusion Configuration with 10" 12" toms, 14" floor tom, 20" bass drum, and 14" snare drum, plus it comes with 4 different wrap options. This kit is a great option as an entry level drum set since it comes with everything you need. The drums, hardware, cymbals, drum key, and even a pair of sticks! This kit is waaaaay better than my first drum set!
Is This The BEST Starter Drum Set You Can Buy? Mapex Venus Review/Demo
What was your first drum set?
Drum Only Version: ua-cam.com/video/82Hf1cTX8mM/v-deo.html
Follow on IG: instagram.com/davidraouf/
My first kit was a no name black 22, 12,13,16 kit with a 14 snare
It was an Enforcer kit, whoever that was. It was $100, wine red and sounded like poo. So did my cymbals, which were mostly junk and cobbled together from Craigslist. Still gigged with it though!
A blue pulse kit that was $200 and I’ve turned into into a $3000 kit with all the upgrades I’ve done
A Thunder kit, then I moved up to Mapex ironically
Ludwig back beat
For an entry level kit, that sounded surprisingly really good. well done Mapex.
There not entry level popular wood is found on entry level drums
@@erictorres4889 These are poplar wood.
popular wood lol
I'm a DW guy and was going to buy a PDP concept kit, but decided to get a Mapex Armory because I fell in love with the finish and the quality you get for the price point is much better than PDP right now, not to mention they give you a virgin bass drum and a tomahawk snare. Mapex has definitely stepped up their quality in recent years.
I got this kit as an alternative to the tama superstar classic because Sweetwater was not receiving a lot of Tama products but my God am I in love with the set that I am glad it happened
Yep, I’ve owned a Mapex Armory. It can sound just as good as any high end kit in my opinion. The virgin bassdrum sold me also.
I’m also a Dw guy I’m going to disagree the shells on the concept series are much better and the hardware is also a higher quality material! The only thing that’s better is the snare, but that’s my opinion.
Sorry man, try gigging with one for a year… they are complete junk and that’s their Saturn SE. the lacquer cracks, threads strip, shells have gaps in the ply’s and they use wood filler!! WOOD FILLER in the shells, chunks actually work loose and fall out… screw plates fall from the stands, cross threaded tension rods… Chinese crap… NEVER buy Mapex…
Mapex always made the same great quality IMHO, they've been slept on...! The older Saturns are arguably the best drums I've heard in a mix and one of the very few sets where I can immediately tell what it is even mixed as a sound engineer and drummer. They hit the right level of punch/decay. I've never seen a player using any dampening on Mapex tom and floors, which tells you a lot...! The Saturn IV and V exotic where the favorites of Will Calouhn for years with emperor clear heads. There's a tribal quality to it, Always the right articulation without ever sounding dead. Mapex are like the Ibanez of drums, they just refine their own thing, they don't think about the trends of the hype. Every few years we remember it, then people sort of forget how ridiculous their kits are... so good, so professional, nothing in particular stand out about them. It's just overall incredible.
My first drum set was also a Mapex, a now discontinued Voyager. Still with me, still in gigs, I switched the throw-off for a Trick one, and will be adding some more stuff to it.
Edit: For those curious, it's been with me since 2012, and it has the very standard-ish 12", 13", and 16" of toms and floor tom.
My first was also a voyager! Sold the drums about a year ago, but still have all the hardware and stands they're still going strong!
@@conormorrissey8987 I did the exact opposite! I kept the drums, sold of the rest of the hardware (even the pedal, and now I resent not having a light, portable pedal), but I love it. I wish I had the 10" tom for it.
Mine is a Mapex now-discontinued Pro-M; still my main kit, but I recently got a basic Ludwig 5-piece to set up a mirror kit to practice lefty
What you guys have now?
@@Andresmorph I haven't changed kits. Still with me old Mapex.
Your videos are always bangers, continue that way David!
Appreciate it!
My first kit was a Pearl Soundcheck, over 12 years ago. I still have it actually, and only the shells and lugs are original now. The availability of starter kits vs shell packs in today's age is amazing. Also, that blue color you got is 🔥
Not even in the market for this kit but I still found this review really interesting and watched it from start to finish. Great video!
It's also amazing to see the level of build quality and features in entry kits these days!
Awesome. Love mapex stuff!! I really feel they deliver the highest quality at their price points vs other brands
So does Tama and pearl
By far Kyle.
Try sonor dude. They are exceptionally good at every price point.
@@08mlascelles my dream snare...t Benny Greb. Salivate over that puppy.
Yamaha
Mapex is the best bang for the buck. I've owned many of their drums. Solid drums and sound.
In 2008, they had over 100 high end snare drums in their catalog.
I own 2 maple and one seamless steel 6.5 x 14" snare drums and they have all received numerous compliments over the years.
Mapex have always had just gorgeous colours on their drums. I almost bought a purple wood finish kit back in the 90s, it was stunning.
my first drum set wad the Mapex Mars Crossover!
My first kit was a CB700 way back in the 70's. It's crazy how far things have come with price and technology with drums. I bought a Mapex Pro M some years back and that's my baby. It sounds killer it's a good looking set and it's super durable. I'm a huge Mapex fan! Great video!
started on a very similar mapex starter kit quite a few years ago and honestly it served me really well. still using some of the hardware, and the floor tom had a sound i really loved. awesome video and great starter kits from mapex
My first drum set was a secondhand Ludwig Standard... complete with Ludwig standard stands and cymbals! Got it in 1978 and still have it!
I have a strong affinity to Mapex Venus kits. Our church had one for years (22x18 12x9 16x16 14x5.5 steel) and then they got a Pearl kit, so I took it home and used it myself. Best kit I ever played on, although I did use my own Sonor Force 13x7 snare.... It also had old Meinl Classics on it, so I bought some modern ones to add to it a bit.
Best kit I ever had. And I miss it.
I'm glad to see you making videos for the beginner drummer, trying to direct them to the best tools possible for longevity and sound. As someone who was inspired to start drumming years ago by your channel,, one of the hardest parts of getting started was finding beginner gear. You literally just don't know what you're looking for or what questions to ask. I love your channel Dave, and I will keep watching loyally because of how accessible you have made the drums to underprivileged people like myself. P.S. My first kit was the Sound Percussion Labs Unity 5 piece. The current listings are a lot more expensive but when I bought in 2016 it was about 130 dollars.
Great video!
My first kit was a Pearl Rhythm Traveler, and it served me well for 16 years for what I needed out of it.
I now own a Mapex Saturn V that I absolutely love.
Mapex, send this man a Saturn V so he can experience the greatest drum kits on the planet.
My first kit was also a Mapex. I bought it used and it sounded pretty good.
Excellent channel! My first drum was a snare, because I joined the school band. It was a six lug 1963 Slingerland in marine pearl. Still have it, still gorgeous! Then I got a Slingerland bass and one tom, in blue agate (1966) and that was my kit.
My dads first kit (and my current kit) was an old Mapex Venus from the mid 90s, same throne, pedals and some of the stands (none broke, just replaced). It's still going strong and has held up amazingly well
Used to be a 7 piece kit but he sold two toms once he moved out of his parents place
Great to hear you playing ALL the kit in the test 👍🏻
Thanks for providing great content as always, David! Good choice of glasses also :D
just bought a used mapex maple kit! can't wait to step on stage with it. Awesome video as usual 🤟
What a great video Dave. The kit sounds fantastic and the cymbals sound decent too. Thanks
My first drum set was a Mapex Saturn Series. Great video I always love watching your content
Yo this sounded like a great kit. I love the channel and the track at the end was beautiful
Man, that thing sounds great. Doesn't sound like it cuts, but it's got a nice airy quality in the highs. Absolutely gonna work for a beginner, and you could even gig with it. That crash ride is also not terrible. Won't be recording any platinum albums with it, but I'm super impressed.
Veo tus vídeos desde hace años y siempre me inspiran, sigue así, amigo, saludos
Great video and drums sound amazing for an entry level kit. Mapex makes some of the best drums for a fair price. My first kit was a Mapex Mars and I have since moved to the Armory series. I dig that finish too!
I have a 6 piece Mapex birch kit. I've had it since 2007. It has never let me down. It tunes up easy and stays in tune. The Mapex hardware is sturdy as hell too. I've played in many bands in many venues and drummers are always asking me which series Mapex kit it is. It sounds way better than so many high end kits. Just bought a Gretsch kit last week so now my Mapex will be my backup/ practice room kit. Mapex quality is outstanding.
The first drum kit i've ever used was a Mapex Q in 2008 - 9. They sound nice, Mapex hasn't let me down since. These kits are popular here in Latin America. Cheers.
I bought a 2002 Mapex M series brand new when it was still a maple/basswood combination and still have it. It's a keeper.
Tasty fill at 10:11. Great sounding kit! I used to own a Venus Voyager kit when I played in a jazz trio. That's probably the kit you used in the church. Amazing how entry level kits of today would have been considered intermediate kits back in the day...
In 1996, my mom bought me a set of Burgundy Mapex Venus Series drums, still have those, still use them for gigs all these years later. Love Mapex drums and their quality, you should do a video on their Armory series drums, the Drum of Center of Portsmouth, said they were the best kit under $1000, they did a video comparing them to the other big manufacturers. Thanks for the videos, enjoy them, thank you for sharing your passion with us!
I would freaking LOVE to see how much would take to transform this great entry level kit into a profesional(ish) kit for studio recording. Great video as allways!
Probably just some new heads and cymbals
Just new heads and good cymbals for sure
The mics he's using do most of the work, I bet if you heard these drums in person they'd sound like garbage....remember he's producing this video with seriously high-end drum mics.
@@Sugarsail1 it's like seeing some hot chick in a porno, but if you saw her in person with no makeup, she would be removed from your spankbank.
@@Sugarsail1 lol what? the better the mics get the better they capture exactly what's there, that's what they're supposed to do. are you joking?
Entry Level Kit ? Unbelievable! Fantastic sound, and that's with stock heads ! Mapex is truly underrated.
Mapex is fighting for the crown. I’ve been watching them for a few years now and beside the quality improvement, they’re coming up with some really good features. I use a drum bank of DWs, but for a second set, I’ve been seriously considering a very nice set at a great price point at Sweetwater; they do some exclusive deals.
This is an awesome entry level kit. I don't think I've seen a Mapex kit at this price before, but it still looks like a solid kit like their more expensive options.
Awesome! I recently got a mapex tornado as a secondary kit to use when I’m at university. I ended up using another drummers kit at a gig but used the snare and cymbals from the mapex gig and they definitely got me through it. They snare was pretty impressive, the cymbals had sparks flying off them but the crowd didn’t seem to care 😂 nothing special but it works as a cheap kit
I have that same tiny mapex kit you were talking about. It has an 18” kick. I LOVE that kit for gigging around town. I think it’s a Venus series. I put die cast hoops on all the drums and they sound phenomenal
This guy can make literally any kit sound godly
I bought that little "baby-sized" Mapex you mentioned when it was new,(mid-2000's maybe?), & it actually just happened to be the Venus series as well in a very cool Red Pearl.
Still wish I had kept that little thing plus I ordered a 16" floor tom to go with it. Just looked though & noticed those are out there & going for reasonable price so still possible!
Good vid, Great content!
I,m always learning something from your Channel!👍
My first kit was a Pulse wine red set that my older sister's friend gave me when he left for college and I was in 9th grade. I saved up to get heads and cymbals and it made a bit of difference but after saving up to buy my own kit I got a Mapex Mars kit that I absolutely loved and had to leave when I left home. I still miss it even though I have a nice Gretsch Catalina Club kit for gigging and a 7 piece Ludwig Element that stays at home to practice.
I have a Mapex Storm and I've been loving it! Of course not the greatest kit I've ever played on, it is an entry-intermidiate level kit, but it works perfectly fine. The hardware is great and very solid for the price, and the overall sound is pretty much what I would call "decent". So as far as that goes, I would expect the Venus to perform the same :)
I like how you play, I always learn something.
Right now, I own an early 4 piece Mapex Series V Bop Kit. It has a goldish tiny flake finish that changes color slightly depending on the light hitting it. It sounds very similar to the Mapex kit you tried out many years ago at a Christmas gig. My kit has an 18" kick, 10" rack tom, 12" floor tom, and a 12" snare. I have tried for a long time to get a bit of history about this kit, but not even Mapex could help me. It is a fun kit to play, and it sounds quite good. Thanks for sharing the info on the new Venus series.
Your new glasses do wonders for your snare sound :)
Nice kit!
I love that riff he was playing!
For a starter kit that you can play out of the box, that sounds amazing! I had a Tama Rhythm Mate and had to buy cymbals and a throne, so definitely had to spend more than I expected.
My first kit was a 2004 Mapex V-Series. I still own that as my practice kit and my gig kit is a 2018 Mapex Mars, which isnt high end by any means but these kits are a banger for the price when you put new heads on. The hardware is solid and the lugs hold tuning no matter what.
Love the groove as always :))
I am impressed with the remake of the Venus. I have a Venus Bop kit that I use. It has to be from the 80's.
It sounds great for the music I play. Although I did some upgrades on heads and other things. For the revised Venus this is very good kit. Thanks for the video...!!
Mapex is awesome. Very affordable gear that sounds phenomenal imo
Gorgeous drumset
I’m learning to drum and am fortunate enough to have a Mapex Saturn V - I use a Tama hydraulic throne & Tama hardware. Great kit, this Venus thing - but my comment is here because of your review mate… luvvit ❤️ greetings from Oz 🇦🇺
That kit sounds pretty good, including the cymbals. I'd buy this one if I was starting out.
The glasses fit your personality! Definitely a welcome addition to go along with the beard lol
That kit sounds really nice
Mapex makes some great drums!! That floor tom sounded big and beefy. Great starter kit!!
Hey Dave, the little kit that you giged on it's a mapex m series kit. I also have the m series but in bigger sizes, it's my first drum set and I love it!!! A great starter kit, and I think the venus is even better now.
My first drum set was a pearl export in chrome with Sabian B8 cymbals. In HS, it did its job!
haha i feel you on the mixing up sizes depth perception really changes when you getting used to seeing stuff correctly for the first time
I bought a Mapex Venus kit way back in March 1993. My first kit
Same here, the QR series was the first one, bright red) Really loved it and the brand itself.
I personally love how dw sound but I used to play a mapex starter kit back in 2015. I really like the hardware holding the 8’ and 10’ Toms. Once I had it tuned it sounded great and felt great
Awesome demo! 👍
I always like the way you tune your toms, no matter what level kit you're featuring in the video. I wonder if it is pure sound in the room or if you are applying any digital effect (EQ, Compressions, etc.) to the audio tracks after/while recording. Thanks!
The drums sound great! I’d say the weak link is really those hats but you can’t really expect the cymbals that come included with a kit to be superb. I will say that crash or crash/ride sounds decent!
Beautiful finish. Nice sounding drums.
Mapex are such an underrated brand. I have a Saturn V which I absolutely adore and has served me so well for 5 years.
Sounds brilliant...Good tuning I reckon.
That black galaxy sparkle though! 😍
I would love this to be my first kit back in the day
I have the old Mapex V Series kit with the 8" & 10" rack, 12" Floor, 12" snare, and 18" bass drum! I added a 13" rack tom from a larger kit from the same series to use as a 2nd floor tom
I did the same thing!
Found a matching orphan 13”
And got two more mounts to make it a floor tom.
Mounts and badge technically upside down for a floor but no body will see or know.
@@inka0268 oh i just mounted it to a cymbal stand
Mapex is some of the best you can buy. Would love to see you do some more videos maybe on a full mapex armory kit
You played a Voyager kit. I have various Mapex kits made over the last 20 years including Pro M and Saturn Pro. They are great sounding drums & the hardware is very durable. Love my Mapex drums!
My very first kit was a Mapex QR series, I loved that kit, it had an 18' bass drum that sounded awesome, it was also a deeper shell than usual, but can't remember the exact depth, wish I kept it.
My first kit was a Mapex Venus series, with a classic configuration of 22" BD, 14" SD, 12", 13" and 16" Toms, really nice hardware and i loved it.
I used to called it "la Mapita".
I wonder where she is now.
Wow this is very interesting that Mapex is reintroducing the Venus. I have a Venus Bop kit that I think is pretty awesome. That kit sounds pretty awesome for an entry level. I hope they reintroduce the Bop kit. Nice ...!
Ha sounds great! Mapex is a cool brand. Those round over bearing edges also hold up along time, because they are not as sharp on the top, and therefore dont wear off as much as other kits. Even the cybmal sounds absolutly decent. I even dig the ride sound alot!
Snare sounds pretty good, I like it
So, for an entry level kit, this really does sound pretty good, especially considering the meh drumheads that come with these kits. New high quality heads would make a very big difference. Those cymbals, though, were more impressive than I was expecting!
Like you said, this set is light years ahead of the entry level stuff I started on.
Mapex so underrated proud owner of the black version hardware and black armory pedals great quality
My first drum
Kit was a Mapex Venus with B8 pro cymbals. I am not sure if it came with the cymbals I bought it from a pawn shop in 1999. I still have it and it has held up great. I use it for the out side not so great gigs. Glad to see they have brought the line back.
My first kit was a Frankenstein kit made up of assorted used drums from a local music store. One of my Toms was even made by gluing two snare shells together and covering it with contact paper. This was mid 70s and I was probably around 14 years old.
Those stories are the coolest, how did it turn out?
Sounds damn good. Even with the original skins. The toms and the floor. 🤩🤘🏻🤩
Hey Dave I really like the tuning on your toms I’ve been following for years now and I’ve never been able to make mine sound like yours. Could you make a specific video on just exactly how you tune your toms?
My first Drumset was a Yamaha 7000. Great Set.
PDP Spectrum is another good one to review. It’s really cheap and doesn’t come with extra hardware or cymbals, but it sounds amazing and is made of a unique combination of maple and poplar. With and without good heads, it really sings. Curious about the build quality
Mapex is killer when it comes to price/performance and it is no surprise the Venus is a pretty good beginner kit. Love the light blue also.
First kit I bought from a friend in ‘97. It was a 12”, 13”, 16”, 22” Cosmic Percussion kit with an added 10” Percussion Plus tom. Stands were single braced, and the cymbal stand which held the 10” tom couldn’t hold the extra weight. Over time, it sagged. Kick pedal was flimsy and held together with a small metal bar extending from the heel to the clamp, and if it came loose at the clamp, the heel would move and the footboard would give out. The hi hat stand was flimsy with a latch style clamp. No matter how hard I tightened the latch, the post holding the bottom hat would slip under pressure when I brought the top hat down. Also the screw on the underside of the clutch kept coming loose, so I’d have to tighten it between songs. I eventually wrapped a twist tie below the screw to stop it from moving.
Then I bought a wine red Tama Rockstar with all Tama double braced hardware in ‘99. That kit was light years ahead of the first one.
And to think, I almost started out with bass guitar. I would have missed out on all that entry level fun.
Got a Mapex Armory on layaway can’t wait!
For a starter kit sounds amazingly good!! And the cymbals even if it is brass it's not bad so the conclusion with many sets if someone needs a set to make covers or playing in a small venues the important is the mics and the User Interface and not the Drums!!My first kit is a Maxtone Basswood kit with overtones like go to hell!! I do some upgrades - Hacks and the set sounds acceptable muffling the contact of the bassdrum batter head at shell with foam tape and a pillow inside , muffling the reso heads with a glued towel at toms and floor tom and set at all pinstripes clear and pinstripe ebony at bass drum and powerstroke 3 coated on snare and evans hazy 300 at reso with glued towel near the hoop.With these improvements the kit sounds awesome!! At 20years i change the bass drum spare foots with Pearl cause they breaks.The next year i sell this kit for 200euros with 14" brass hihat and a 16" crash and a Dixon bass pedal and buy a Gabriel Maple 7ply Jazz kit with a huge difference in sound!!!
My first drum set was a Tama Stagestar in a solid blue wrap. 18” kick, 14” floor tom, 12” and 10” rack toms, and a 13x5 snare. Sold it after owning it for seven years because I was moving away. After many years with different drum sets, I finally have a similar kit but in red. No snare drum, because I have two or three. Something about the small size that is really appealing to me. Great sound as always with Tama.
I still play my stagestar snare as my primary. That was also my first kit. I still have it but it’s in storage. When I was a kid I used to have the snare CRANKED thanks to Joey Jordisons influence on me. I think I actually bent the shell a little out of shape but i still love the sound.
Yoooo I just got glasses too and I can totally relate I’ve been looking at stuff I look at every day and I’m like oh wow look at all that detail
I worked in a mom & pop music store 20 years ago. The owner had started to carry Mapex Venus kits to beef up the selection. They were easy to tune well, had decent hardware, nothing amazing but they were a big improvement over the other starter sets they sold at the time
Great vid...as always🍻. My 1st kit. Mapex armoury. 10. 12. 14. 16. 22. Still my number 1 kit. Actually annoyed I bought another diff company. Nothing surprises me with how good Mapex sounds.
Love my Mapex Meridian Birch set