Travis Orbin vs Mike Mangini — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour / ex-Periphery) vs Mike Mangini (Godsmack (2026-present); Dream Theater (2010-2023)). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Travis Orbin use?
Travis Orbin uses SJC Custom Drums with Zildjian K Custom Series (14" K Custom Dark Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" K Custom Dark Crashes, 21" K Custom Ride, 18" K Custom China). Travis Orbin plays SJC Custom Drums with an SJC Custom 14x6.5" Maple snare and Zildjian K Custom Series cymbals (14" K Custom Dark Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" K Custom Dark Crashes, 21" K Custom Ride, 18" K Custom China), paired with a DW 9000 Series double pedal, a Roland SPD-SX sampling pad, and Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks. Mike Mangini plays a Pearl Reference Series kit with a Pearl Reference 14x5" & 14x6.5" Brass snare and Sabian HHX & AAX Series cymbals (14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, 17", 18", 19" HHX Evolution Crashes, 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride), powered by a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal and a Roland SPD-SX sampling pad — both drummers rely on a Roland SPD-SX for electronic triggering despite otherwise very different rigs.
What drum kit does Mike Mangini use?
Mike Mangini uses Pearl Reference Series with Sabian HHX & AAX Series (14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, 17", 18", 19" HHX Evolution Crashes, 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride). Travis Orbin plays SJC Custom Drums with an SJC Custom 14x6.5" Maple snare and Zildjian K Custom Series cymbals (14" K Custom Dark Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" K Custom Dark Crashes, 21" K Custom Ride, 18" K Custom China), paired with a DW 9000 Series double pedal, a Roland SPD-SX sampling pad, and Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks. Mike Mangini plays a Pearl Reference Series kit with a Pearl Reference 14x5" & 14x6.5" Brass snare and Sabian HHX & AAX Series cymbals (14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats, 17", 18", 19" HHX Evolution Crashes, 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride), powered by a Pearl Demon Drive double pedal and a Roland SPD-SX sampling pad — both drummers rely on a Roland SPD-SX for electronic triggering despite otherwise very different rigs.
Which is better, Travis Orbin or Mike Mangini?
Travis Orbin and Mike Mangini both built reputations on polyrhythmic precision at extreme tempos, arriving from different corners of progressive metal. Orbin built his own polymetric template independent of Periphery's recorded discography before becoming a prolific session and playthrough artist. Mangini brought world-record speed and biomechanical rigor to Dream Theater's drum chair, replacing showmanship with scientific optimization. Both share a Roland SPD-SX-equipped hybrid setup, but Orbin's influence runs through his solo and session catalog while Mangini's runs through progressive metal's technical mainstream.