Daniel Bernard's Drum Gear

Here's an overview of the gear I use (most of the time) for my drum videos!

Yo! Thanks for checking out this newsletter. I’m going to try to go through a list of gear that I use all the time for drumming, recording, and filming video. If you’ve got questions, feel free to comment below or email me directly!

1. Mapex Saturn Kit - Although my kit is a generation old now (I have a Saturn 4, they have the Saturn 5 and “evo” now), I still love these kits. I love the short stack toms, deep bass, the maple/walnut hybrid, everything. They track amazing, hold up really well, and are not crazy expensive for what you get.

2. Ludwig Universal Snare Drum - 6.5 x 14-inch - Mahogany - I used this snare at Youth Congress and gave it away after, but it was a great snare! And for $350, a great value!

   1. $279 snare that’s great

   2. $550 “black beauty killer” snare

3. Paiste Cymbals!

   1. Masters series

      1. 22” Master thin crash - this is an amazing crash for contemporary, especially if you’re looking for a really musical undertone to carry your song

      2. 20” Master thin crash - same thing but a little bit trashier

      3. 15” Masters Dark Hats - amazing hats. Big enough for contemporary, but articulate enough for gospel

      4. 18” Masters Dark Crash - great all around crash

   2. Dark Energy Series

      1. 21” Dark Energy MKI Ride - As far as gospel ride and strong bell, this is the one. If you want to crash it, this is not the one, lol.

      2. 18” Dark Energy Crash - perfect blend of attack and character. Mixes and tracks so well

   3. Signature Traditionals

      1. 22” Signature light traditional ride - great for crashing, great bell as well

   4. Big Beat - great utility cymbals, they’re basically all crash/rides and they’re a little more affordable

   5. PST 7 - the affordable cymbals that actually still sound good!

4. Microphones - I know this is such a subjective thing, and the differences in price and style and quality are vast, so let me give you 3 recommendations from cheap to expensive that I’ve personally used and would continue to use!

   1. $299 - Presonus DM-7 Drum Microphones Set

   2. $1,099 - Audix DP7 7-piece Drum Microphone Package

   3. $2,999 - Earthworks DK7 Gen 2 Drum Kit Microphone System

This is just an overview! If you have any questions, or have a question about a piece of gear that I didn’t cover, please comment below or shoot me an email and I’ll send you the link

My Sweetwater Page

My B&H Page