# What's In Matt Halpern's Periphery Kit: Complete Gear Breakdown > Discover the exact drums, cymbals, and gear behind Matt Halpern's groundbreaking Periphery sound. Complete breakdown of his Mapex Saturn setup, Meinl Byzance cymbals, and the philosophy that defined modern djent drumming. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** [Matt Halpern](/llms/drummers/matt-halpern.md) **Band / Album:** Periphery **Genre:** Progressive Metal / Djent ## Overview Matt Halpern doesn't just play drums for Periphery — he helped define an entire genre's rhythmic vocabulary. Since joining the Washington D.C.-based progressive metal pioneers in 2009, Halpern has become one of the most influential drummers in modern heavy music, his powerful grooves and intricate polyrhythms setting the template for what djent drumming could be. Born August 30, 1984, Halpern's journey to progressive metal stardom wasn't conventional. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he brought a fusion of jazz education, rock sensibility, and technical precision to a genre that was just beginning to define itself. When he joined Periphery — the band founded by producer/guitarist Misha Mansoor that would become synonymous with djent — he found the perfect vehicle for his musical vision. What sets Halpern apart isn't raw speed or complexity for its own sake. It's groove. While many djent drummers focus on mathematical precision, Halpern brings pocket and feel that makes Periphery's most technical passages sound musical rather than mechanical. Listen to "Icarus Lives!" or "Marigold" — the patterns are intricate, but they breathe and swing. Beyond Periphery, Halpern has become one of modern drumming's great educators. His Drumeo appearances have millions of views, his clinics sell out worldwide, and his approach to teaching — focused on groove, feel, and musical drumming rather than just chops — has influenced a generation of players. He's also a founding member of the progressive instrumental project The Contortionist's touring band. With six studio albums, countless world tours, and an ever-growing educational legacy, Matt Halpern represents the evolution of metal drumming: technical but musical, powerful but groovy, modern but timeless. This is the gear behind the djent revolution. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Mapex Mapex Saturn V MH Exotic (Custom finishes (varies by tour) finish) - **Snare:** Mapex Mapex Black Panther Design Lab / Various snares, 14" x 6" and 14" x 5.5" (primary rotation) - **Cymbals:** Meinl — Byzance (Traditional, Extra Dry, Dual, Pure Alloy) - **Heads:** Evans UV1 (batter), Evans Hazy 300 (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** Medium-high for sensitivity and crack ### Matt's Mapex Saturn V Setup Matt Halpern's partnership with Mapex has produced one of the most recognizable setups in modern metal. The Saturn V series — Mapex's flagship line — provides the perfect balance of warmth, attack, and projection that djent drumming demands. The Saturn V's hybrid maple/walnut construction gives Halpern the best of both worlds: maple's warmth and sustain combined with walnut's focused attack. For music that requires both thunderous low end and articulate ghost notes, this shell composition is ideal. The SONIClear bearing edges ensure maximum resonance and sustain, while the slightly thicker shells provide the durability needed for Periphery's aggressive playing style. Halpern's 22" x 18" bass drum is deep but not unwieldy, delivering the punchy low end that modern metal production demands while remaining responsive for complex foot patterns. The extra depth compared to standard 16" kicks gives each stroke more authority without sacrificing articulation. His tom configuration — 10", 12", 14", and 16" — spans a wide melodic range, essential for Periphery's harmonically sophisticated compositions. These aren't just accent drums; Halpern often uses tom patterns melodically, requiring instruments that can sing at various pitches. What's notable about Halpern's setup is how standard it appears. No massive kit, no exotic sizes — just well-chosen drums that serve the music. This philosophy extends to his entire approach: musical choices over flashy gear. ### The Signature Weapon Matt Halpern rotates through several snare drums depending on the musical context, but his primary choices come from Mapex's Black Panther Design Lab series — premium snares designed for demanding professionals. His most-used snare is a 14" x 6" model with exceptional crack and projection, essential for cutting through Periphery's dense guitar tones. The extra depth compared to standard 5.5" snares provides more body without losing articulation — crucial when you're playing grooves that require both ghost notes and powerful backbeats. Halpern tunes his snares medium-high for maximum sensitivity and crack. In live situations, he often uses a Snareweight dampener to control overtones while maintaining the drum's fundamental character. This approach allows him to get consistent results in different acoustic environments — essential for a touring drummer. What's interesting about Halpern's snare philosophy is versatility. Unlike some drummers who find "their" snare and never deviate, he adapts to the song's needs. Periphery's music ranges from brutal to beautiful, and different snare voices serve different emotional goals. For recording, Halpern has been known to swap snares multiple times per album to find the perfect voice for each track. This attention to detail reflects his Berklee education — he thinks like an engineer and producer, not just a drummer. ### The Meinl Byzance Arsenal Matt Halpern's Meinl Byzance cymbal setup represents the modern standard for progressive metal. The Byzance series — handmade in Turkey using traditional methods — delivers the complexity, darkness, and musicality that Periphery's music demands. The foundation of his sound is the 14" Byzance Dual hi-hats. "Dual" cymbals feature two different surface finishes that create complex harmonics and a distinctive voice. These hi-hats are articulate enough for intricate patterns yet full enough for open crashes. They've become one of the most popular choices among modern metal drummers. Halpern's crash selection spans the Byzance range. The Extra Dry crashes provide fast attack and quick decay — essential when crashes are hitting frequently in dense arrangements. The Dual crashes add complexity and sustain for moments that need more wash. This variety allows him to choose the perfect cymbal for each musical moment. His 22" Byzance Extra Dry Medium Ride is the workhorse of his setup. It provides a clear, defined ping for riding patterns while controlling wash buildup. The Extra Dry finish gives it a slightly trashier, more complex character than traditional bright rides — perfect for music that blurs the line between metal and jazz. The effects cymbals — chinas and trash stacks — are essential for djent's rhythmic punctuation. That quick, trashy sound you hear on Periphery's syncopated accents? That's strategic stack and china placement. ## Key Facts - Mapex Drums endorsee since 2014 - Meinl Cymbals artist with extensive signature line collaboration - Vic Firth drumstick endorser - Berklee College of Music graduate - Drumeo educator with millions of views - Defined the rhythmic vocabulary of djent drumming - Maple/walnut hybrid shells for balanced tone - SONIClear bearing edges maximize resonance - 22" x 18" bass drum for punchy modern sound - Standard 4-tom configuration for melodic playing - Custom finishes for each album cycle - Estimated kit value: $4,500-6,000 (Saturn V MH Exotic kit) - Estimated snare value: $450-800 (Black Panther Design Lab snares) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-matt-halperns-kit **More LLM resources:** [Site index](/llms.txt) · [Full database](/llms-full.txt) · [Master FAQ](/llms/faq.md) · [Drummer index](/llms/index.md) *Last updated: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*