Everyone likes to complain about how things are not how they used to be but here is one way being a drummer in the new millenium kicks some digital ass.
Pretty much every cymbal manufacturer has sound samples of EACH unique product line they offer. Now this is something I have known for a while but never really bothered with until recently. Here is how us drummers USED to have to try and choose cymbals.
Back when I started drumming the only way to hear a cymbal was to find one in a local store and tap it . This is usually met with frowns and questioning looks from the local music store staff. Plus – it is FAR from a real world sound test when you are away from your drums and cymbals. Even using different sticks will give you a different sound from a cymbal.
Another alternative was to check out the reviews in drum magazines. I have put a lot of stock in these reviews for the better part of my drumming life and have not been steered wrong, however this is still very far removed from personally taking a cymbal for a test drive. Plus sometimes the gear you want will take months to be reviewed – if ever!
If you are lucky enough to have a drummer “buddy” or perhaps a drum teacher with good cymbals – you can get good feedback from them and also check them out yourself. This would be a pretty decent way to “learn” how a cymbal sounds and if it works for you. I never really had access to a buddy like this – and teachers might be into jazz and symphonic percussion while you are into Blink 182 and Slipknot. Probably not even in the same ball park for cymbal sounds!
The only other way to choose a cymbal besides just choosing what looks the best ( or is the cheapest) would be to simply purchase the cymbals that your favourite drummer used. Again far from ideal for too many reasons to get into here and now. It might work for you, but you are your own drummer right?
Recently I have wanted some new sounds to go along with my trusted and loved cymbals that I have played for years. This will likely happen to anyone the longer they play. You evolve as a drummer and learn new styles or get into different music and suddenly your old cymbals can’t give you all that you need anymore.
I spent a few hours pouring over different cymbals from various companies to find the sounds I was hearing in my head. Yes I said hours! I started out just checking out a cymbal or two and next thing I know I was checking all kinds of cymbals – even checking out the cymbals I already have to see if they sounded (on computer) the way I remembered them sounding.
This was an eye opening experience for me. You can try out all the cymbals you want – whenever you want. You can do immediate A/B comparisons. You can go away and come back later to see if the cymbals STILL sound as good as you thought. This is something only big time endorsers could do at a cymbal company’s vault of cymbals. With the added bonus that you do not have to just stick with one company as you can open up mulitple browsers and check out Sabians right next to Zildjians or Paistes. In fact I’d say you can be a LOT more discerning over a cymbals sound when it is not right in front of you. No more buying a cymbal for the brand or the way it looks but for the BEST reason….how-it-SOUNDS!
Nothing is perfect. I have to say that a digital file is recorded by itself, likely in a high quality studio environment which again – is a far cry from a local metal gig with no miking. I am not saying that you will know exactly how a cymbal will sound in such a hostile environment just by listening to a sound file. It must also be noted that no two cymbals will sound EXACTLY the same. There very well could be some differences between the “sample” and the cymbal you end up with even if it is EXACTLY the same (what drummer doesn’t already know this?). I will say that you will have a damn good idea of what direction you want to go in. These sound files could get you down to a handful of cymbals to try out when you are ready to buy. In a time where there are so many brands and sizes of cymbals out there, this is a real valuable tool.
In the end, I would save the final verdict for my own ears and own hands, playing the cymbal in the same room. Especially for “complicated” cymbals like a set of hi hats or a ride cymbal. Honestly splashes, bells, chinas and even some crashes could very well be chosen online with no regrets.
Today I have an excellent idea of what my next ride cymbal, set of Hi hats and a series of effects splashes/cymbals will be. I’m hoping this post will help you along in your eternal quest for the “right” cymbal sounds as well!
Drum-nut is a place for me to share my drum thoughts/ideas online. I live in Guelph, Ontario Canada.
