For the recording of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence and Train of Thought, Mike used a kit called the “Siamese Monster”. For Octavarium he used a white kit called the “Albino Monster”.
Mike uses TAMA Starclassic drums, Sabian cymbals, TAMA Iron Cobra pedals and hi-hats, Latin percussion, Remo heads and Pro-Mark 420 custom sticks.
He has a signature snare drum series from Tama called “Melody Master”; named after his daughter. There’s also a Sabian “Max Stax” symbals, which are named after his son.
You can find documentation of his drumkits while in Dream Theater here:
http://www.mikeportnoy.com/drums/mirage/ – The Mirage Monster, used for Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds & Silver Linings
http://www.mikeportnoy.com/drums/albino/ – The Albino Monster, used for Octavarium
http://www.mikeportnoy.com/drums/siamese/ – The Siamese Monster, used for Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence and Train of Thought
http://www.mikeportnoy.com/drums/purple/ – The Purple Monster, used for Falling Into Infinity and Scenes from a Memory
http://www.mikeportnoy.com/drums/mapex/ – Used for Awake and A Change of Seasons
