Stuart Williams
I'm a freelance member of the MusicRadar team, specialising in drum news, interviews and reviews. I formerly edited Rhythm and Total Guitar here in the UK and have been playing drums for more than 25 years (my arms are very tired). When I'm not working on the site, I can be found on my electronic kit at home, or gigging and depping in function bands and the odd original project.
Latest articles by Stuart Williams
![Man sits at a drum kit viewing Drumeo on his laptop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hv5WodpgYL5DYUq6zCA2YM-320-80.jpg)
Best online drum lessons 2025: Our pick of tuition platforms for beginner to advanced players
By Stuart Williams last updated
Learn drums how and when you want with these excellent online drum lesson resources, tried and tested by us
![Roland VQD106 electronic drum set in our testing facility](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zg5oK9c7Sd76pFCCf3jHUo-320-80.jpg)
“The VQD could well unlock drumming for people who otherwise can’t possibly play a kit at home”: Roland VQD106 review
By Stuart Williams published
If noise annoys those around you when you’re drumming, this ultra-quiet electronic set has the solutions - plus, watch our volume comparison video with a standard e-kit
![Dave Grohl recording in Hilversum Studios, posed at drums](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pvkpXDecEuxYMDpSy9MLo4-320-80.jpg)
“We’ve got a new drummer, his name is Dave, he’s the best drummer in the world!”: the story of Dave Grohl's drums on Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
By Stuart Williams published
Best of 2024: The drum part that introduced Nirvana and a drummer named Dave Grohl to the world was released on this day in 1991
![Harley Benton ST Modern Seafoam Green](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y6DdftaBrVLzFs8KKAMsUU-320-80.jpg)
“If this is your first guitar, you’ll be keeping it for a long time to come”: Harley Benton Pro Series ST-Modern HSS review
By Stuart Williams published
Beggars can apparently also be choosers, according to Harley Benton and its sub-£150 versatile doublecut
![Squier Paranormal Troublemaker Telecaster](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H8tEXcR23LVxwUkqs2RQCf-320-80.jpg)
"It’s the most impressive Squier guitar I’ve played this year, and probably my favourite in a few": Squier Paranormal Troublemaker Telecaster Deluxe review
By Stuart Williams published
Squier's affordable Tele Deluxe is a mash-up of Fender and Gibson design points
![Squier Paranormal Troublemaker Telecaster Deluxe](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wZaNVvjF2BwhnxwesVe24i-320-80.jpg)
I recently bought a Les Paul, but the Squier Troublemaker Tele I’m reviewing has just been reduced by a whopping $136. Now I need to find space for another guitar before the price goes back up
By Stuart Williams last updated
Forget the name on the headstock, this Squier is the Telecaster for die-hard Gibson fans
![Thomann Cyber Monday deals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DVja9pW7PkykfH34fpgyZD-320-80.jpg)
Thomann Cyber Monday deals 2024: The Cyberweek sale is over, but there are still a few ways to save
By Chris Barnes last updated
Thomann's massive 2024 Cyber Monday deals has ended with a bang. These re the bargains you can still get your hands on
![UAD amp bundle graphic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y6FPFPZEyimgDLvXgBgnfJ-320-80.jpg)
I banned myself from buying plugins this Cyber Monday, but Universal Audio’s UAD Amp Bundle is about to undo that: £91 for Ruby ’63, Lion ’68 and Dream ’65, saving hundreds on the list price!
By Stuart Williams published
This insane one-day deal from Thomann won't exist for long, so get looting while you can
![Roland SPD-SX Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/26efTWL4UPX7FkSos6q4UV-320-80.jpg)
Roland’s SPD-SX Pro electronic drum pad is an industry standard for hybrid drumming, and you can save $200 on one: but only if you’re quick!
By Stuart Williams published
Never play cajon again - the most powerful sample pad on the planet is reduced, but it'll be going back up by 20% after Cyber Monday
![Behringer P2 personal monitor amplifier](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EVWoJs5Nj8yChQRe4n6qPF-320-80.jpg)
I've used this Behringer Powerplay P2 in-ear monitor amp on every gig since I bought it. At £27 with this Cyber Monday deal, it’s an essential for your live rig
By Stuart Williams published
Bag this industry standard, battery-powered in-ear monitor amp for 35% less than what I paid for it
![Superior Drummer 3 Black Friday](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YpVTm6itDZpeDcywj3K3Ri-320-80.jpg)
“I have a 15-year Superior Drummer addiction”: with this killer Cyber Week deal from Thomann, you can too - for just £249
By Stuart Williams published
Climb aboard the Superior Drummer train this weekend with some massive savings on Toontrack Superior Drummer 3 and SDX sound expansion packs
![EZDrummer 3 Black Friday deals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4Nr7mQ7A2KuVtAECSMetgR-320-80.jpg)
You can vastly improve the sound of your electronic drum kit for just over £100 with this mega Black Friday VST sale from Thomann
By Stuart Williams published
Drummer? Guitarist? Songwriter? Up your drum sound game with some crazy prices on Toontrack EZDrummer 3 and EZX sound expansion packs this Cyber Weekend!
![Electronic drum sets round up](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JKbi3eWNrZDrEUmgaxJKZm-320-80.jpg)
4 of our highest-rated electronic drum sets are still on sale this Black Friday weekend, with reductions of up to $400
By Stuart Williams published
Still going for a song: From mid-level practice solutions to road-ready pro setups, save on a quartet of killer electronic drum sets
![Evans Sensory Percussion](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RqfwjDNgU2jRDZfdtzu9k3-320-80.jpg)
Evans’ Sensory Percussion Sound System is a mind-blowing hybrid drumming setup, and you can save $500 on a complete rig right now with Guitar Center's Black Friday deal
By Stuart Williams published
Unlock some serious creative power with a third off the regular price
![Chris Shiflett with his signature Fender Cleaver Telecaster](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MRoHtKEawnhfNpFwMCjQ3J-320-80.jpg)
Chris Shiflett on how he found weapon of choice with the P-90 cut of his Fender Cleaver Tele Deluxe
By Stuart Williams published
Here is Shiflett on his P-90 epiphany, why everyone should have 500K pots on their guitar, and everything you need to know about his new signature Tele
![Man in white t-shirt playing a Roland electronic drum set](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7vywkhT5ZucWkJESWqBJSe-320-80.jpg)
10 common electronic drum set issues and how to troubleshoot them
By Stuart Williams published
Don’t let annoying gremlins spoil your playing. From no sound to too much noise, most problems can be solved with some simple settings or affordable upgrades - here’s how
![Man plays Roland TD716 electronic drum set](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PX5sH34VNd4nserFKqiZwf-320-80.jpg)
Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers
By Chris Barnes last updated
Our expert guide to the best electronic drum kits available today - plus full reviews, buying advice and video
![Drum kit in recording studio](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yKUvDMA7vetoquMdqsC9eG-320-80.jpg)
How to recreate classic recorded drum sounds from The Beatles, Metallica, Nirvana and more
By Stuart Williams published
ArtOfDrumming shows you how to make your drum recordings sound like the greats
![Man plays the Alesis Strata Core drum kit with a bass player and guitarist](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NmSHXjGeQcsGVR9z7b9saJ-320-80.jpg)
“What we get here is the essence of Alesis’ flagship electronic drum set, with all the great features, minus the stuff that is likely to be ‘nice-to-have’ rather than essential”: Alesis Strata Core review
By Stuart Williams published
Alesis is back with a cut-down addition to the Strata line-up, but with BFD multi-sampled sounds, a touchscreen and a saving of around $/£1,000, I’m looking for the catch
![Roland VQD106 V-Drums Quiet Design](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TNBHskcAbw9rYLZzRn8KnK-320-80.jpg)
Roland just unveiled its V-Drums Quiet Design VQD106 kits, delivering “the lowest playing-noise in the history of electronic drum kits”
By Stuart Williams published
The electronic drums giant claims the VQD106 is 75% quieter than a regular electronic kit
![Roland TD-716 e-kit in a rehearsal room with a Marshall cab in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TXPWHSgTT2yekgNfqX8myb-320-80.jpg)
“Sounds aren’t just ‘good for a module’, they’re genuinely useable, realistic and ultimately very enjoyable to play": Roland TD716 review
By Stuart Williams published
Roland is back with a flagship replacement for the TD-50X. There’s a new module and new pads, but does it have the same old problem?
![Roland 7 Series electronic drum sets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tT5TEo2q7ZUjJwPjfw6Qcc-320-80.jpg)
Roland overhauls its high-end electronic drum sets with the introduction of the 7 Series V-drums and VAD kits: “a dynamic new chapter in the V-Drums legacy”
By Stuart Williams published
The TD-716, TD-713 and VAD716 are powered by the new V71 module and there’s a lot of new features!
![DrumCraft Bell Brass 14"x6.5" snare](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YNRtWPTxD36bNJxQM5QVij-320-80.jpg)
DrumCraft reintroduces its Bell Brass snare drum, offering you the snare sound of Metallica, Nirvana, RATM and more for under £800!
By Stuart Williams published
At 12kg, it might break your back, but it won’t necessarily break the bank
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