i would have 2 say that now, my favorite company would be yamaha. for sessions and live, Yamaha Maple Custom for it ill put triggers on them 2 give me various drum sounds. Many ask, dont u meant Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute? I tell them, its not the fact that i dont like them, its just that the original Maple Custom have thicker shells, ( toms are 7 ply and the bass drum is 10 plys.) for the hoop, i really know much, is that they are power hoops. if u wanna know more get at me