Mapex Saturn Evolution Maple & Birch Drum Kits Head to Head - Full Comparison Video by Drumazon

Hey Everyone, in this video we are taking a listen to both of the very latest Mapex Saturn Evolution Series Drum Kits.

These were launched at NAMM 2020 as a complete game changer level of Saturn with new from the ground up shell, finish and feature options designed in collaboration with Russ Miller.

For this new series Mapex have stayed with the famous hybrid shell technology, the one remaining constant throughout the Evolution drums is the use of Walnut. Unlike all previous Saturn Series drums the Evolution ply lay up has been changed. There is a variety of shell thicknesses now used depending on size, shell blend and even finish. Every shell now has the Walnut in the centre. The Walnut is sandwiched by either Maple or Birch to varying thicknesses. Mapex say they have placed the Walnut at the centre of the bearing edge to enhance the warmth of the shells giving the Saturn Evo a darker tone.

As soon as we received the new Saturn Evo kits we immediately made these videos for them, this gave us our first chance to experience the mount. We're big fans of this. Firstly getting the tom position is a doddle, no more guessing where the drum will drop back to when setting it up. Secondly and more importantly design wise the under the lug line mount is designed to prevent the stiffness often caused by under the hoop mounting systems and also offers a unique resonance control feature.

The Adjustment Knob acts as a built-in Equaliser that can slightly dampen the resonance of the shell, the knob engages a rubber tube that makes light contact with the shell from the middle of the mount. This produces a tighter and quicker decay. This system works really well, when working with single ply heads during the video demo we were able to control that typical unwanted overtone you get with thinner heads simply by engaging the knob, it's a far more natural sound than using head damping techniques with a much more pleasing decay.

For more information on the Mapex Saturn Evolution Birch and Maple please follow our links here:

Our demonstration starts with the kits placed next to each other in a musical context, then we show you some isolated drum mixes with different mics engaged. Finally we show you isolated examples of each drum, same heads, same tuning so you can hear the shell differences. For the toms we have also shown examples of the Halo Mount resonance control feature at both extremes - fully off (most resonant) and fully on (least resonant).

Like with all our audio demos there is no limiting to enhance the dynamic response, no digital reverbs are used, the ambience is naturally captured with room mics. We recommend listening through headphones or speakers for the best detail.

The music used on this video is not a backing track. Dan put the drums down first and the music and vocals sections have been created and recorded afterwards, much like in a studio session to help demonstrate a more authentic feel.

We love talking drums so please do like, subscribe and comment. For even more information on this drum and to see so much more - you can visit our website here:

Drums | Dan Humphries
Drum Set 1 | Mapex Saturn Evolution Maple / Walnut
Drum Set 2 | Mapex Saturn Evolution Birch / Walnut
Cymbals | Paiste
Vocals | Mark Heenan
Keyboards, Bass Guitar & additional production | Josh Moon
Lyrics | Ross McInch
Guitar, Synth and Music | Dan Humphries

[oneworldonelife]

That's the most comprehensive sound test of any drumkit I've ever seen. Thank you!

[sgk]

Birch is thunderous. Great video. Thanks !

[gordonwilkinson]

I’ve got an old Saturn and I’m just about to order a Saturn Evolution but wasn’t too sure about the sizes and wood types until I saw this video. To all who worked on it, nice work guys, the kits sound monstrous

[christopherdonegan]

Phenomenal video Dan, great to see you behind the kits at last, been waiting on that for a while. Astonishing kits! Mapex have come so far

[DakotaHDrums]

Hey great video thanks for that. Since you seem to give good answers I was wondering how this evo kit compares to just the regular Saturn studioease kit ? The Saturn I’m looking at is about 2000 these are 2600 would u say it is worth getting these vs the regular Saturn or what is better about the evos that make it more expensive ?

[footnotedrummer]

Both kits sound amazing, but man... that birch has such nice low end. I assume both of these kits share the same proprietary Mapex bearing edges? They didn't change the edges on one of them to a more traditional edge, did they?

[youoob]

Thank you for this, thoughtfully put together and quite exhaustive comparison.. not to mention a great sounding track with really well performed drums!

[adamroy]

Really nice comparison video, shows that a lot of work was put into it! I have a bit of an interrogation however, I thought birch was supposed to be punchy and cutting whereas the birch kick drum sounds boomy warm and soft (not really defined punch) and gets a bit lost in the mix to my taste/needs. Was this due to a personal preference of yours in tuning/mic/mix or does this kick drum really like definition in punch? Asking because I was really interested in the birch before I saw this video.

[jametz]

thanks guys, great stuff here! cymbal breakdown please?

[benimopidi]

I would match that mapex shadow snare with the birch kit, but anyway i really loved this comparison. I have a soft spot for birch so for me the birch wins but the maple one also sounded fantastic 👌🏾👌🏾

[atomicslam]

Absolutely spectacular demo....very well done guys. Both kits sound great to me. I really like the controlled resonance of the birch. But, either kit would work great for just about anything. A bit more expensive than I had hoped, given I got my Saturn IV's for well under a grand...but, a great upgrade, none-the less. I really like the holo mount. I had to put RIMS on mine, as I didn't like the mounts on my Saturn IV's at all. Short of that, you can't go wrong with these kits. Very well done, guys.

[colejustesen]

Great video! Thanks for putting in the effort! I think I like the maple kit best, but both sound incredible.

[joseramos]

I have the Black Burl and it's freakin amazing! Had a DW prior to this kit and I'm very happy with my switch. Great song!

[christianpugsley]

Keep coming back to watch this, best comparison I think I’ve ever seen. That Maple/Walnut kick kills it, still can’t decide if I like the more open maple toms or the tighter punchier birch/walnut. Great job, you guys need more views! PS how do these kits compare vs the Saturn V?

[marcus_mayhem]

I would just like to say that this video and the music freaking rocks. Live the singers voice!!! The maple is amazing but it's the birch for me, all the way!!! I have both kits myself. I have the maple in yellow and the birch in grey. Love MAPEX. I have quite a few videos on my channel including a MAPEX Black Panther Black Widow maple kit.

[madsvetterlain]

I play mapex saturn myself, but man.. What a great song! Have you guys made a record? Love from Denmark!

[sylvester]

Mapex for Believe me I took down DW kits with a mapex mars

[devp]

Direct mics:
Maple - 4:18
Birch - 4:33

[frozd]

You really put lot of effort in this video. Great production ! Kits look really good and sound great but the Tom mounts kill the great look of the shells in my opinion.