Gong Drum Review! Play Grooves like Simon Phillips or Thomas Lang! Song Examples!

In this Gearcheck edition, Dirk Brand introduces you to a rather unusual instrument: the 20" Terra Gong Tom from Gear4Music. This handy yet versatile addition is an exciting option for anyone wanting more bass in their setup – whether in the studio, on stage, or in the rehearsal room. Whether as a sonic extension to an existing drum kit or as a creative tool, this gong tom opens up new possibilities for drummers of all styles. Dirk tests the gong tom in his studio and compares its sonic characteristics to classic bass drum sounds. The instrument is used not only in a solo test but also in a musical context with backing tracks. The 20" drum is made of six-ply birch, has eight tension rods, and comes with a Powerstroke-style batter head. The open shell allows for maximum resonance and punch. It can be mounted using L-rods or typical floor tom legs. In the video, Dirk demonstrates a setup with two snare stands, which is particularly is practical. Unlike other gong toms on the market, which are often priced in the premium range, this model scores points with its attractive price-performance ratio: Dirk paid around €150 including shipping. In the video, he demonstrates various applications, from a low-tuned sub-effect to powerful backbeat support. In addition to the raw sound test (without EQ, compressor, or effects), the video also offers insights into its practical use within three studio productions: an electronic-influenced EDM track, a tom-based banger, and two songs by Dirk's prog-rock band Subsignal ("The Sea" and "Marigold"). This clearly shows how the instrument holds its own in a musical context and what tonal color it adds to the drum set. Dirk cites Simon Phillips' legendary use of the gong tom on Toto's "I Will Remember" as one of his sources of inspiration. In his own interpretation of this groove, he demonstrates how to add extra depth to your playing with appropriate sticking and sound design. If you'd like, we could even turn this into a lesson. So, let us know in the comments if you'd like to see more! In the video, the gong tom was intentionally recorded without any sound processing—no equalizer, no compressor. This gives you an authentic impression of the instrument's raw sound. All sound samples are undamped, just as the instrument sounds straight out of the box. This is important to us in all our gear reviews: honest impressions instead of overproduced sound aesthetics. Do you already have experience with gong toms or are you considering getting one? Then please share your thoughts in the comments; we look forward to the exchange! Watch the video now, don't forget to subscribe, and leave your feedback! Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and activate the bell icon so you don't miss any future gear reviews and podcast episodes. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and activate notifications so you don't miss any future gear reviews or podcast episodes. Links to Dirk Brand and Timo Ickenroth: Dirk Brand - Host of "Schlagabtausch" - The Podcast for Drummers / @drummybrand www.dirkbrand.com @pearldrumseurope @PearlDrumsUS @SabianVault @Gear4musicdrums @VicFirthCompany @pearldrumsglobal6995 @sEElectronicsofficial