Need Cymbal HELP !!!

[AllAboutTone]

For all you drummers that have been around the block I have a question ?
What cymbals can be used for live sound in a small /medium club that are not harsh or loud, yes the drummer plays pretty hard but does not beat the fu*k out of them, he just has a hard attack. Its really hard to play rock and roll silent.
We have tried the electronic style but I hate the cymbal sound, we did find a old Singularland set 20, 8,12,14 and these are just right drum wise with a little work on the heads.
I need cymbal help, what do I look for or buy? Please Nothing Bright.....
We only mic the kick for some bottom end live.....

[BLUElightCory]

I think it's a good idea to head over to the music store and play cymbals till you find a combination you like.

If you have the budget, Zildjian K's (and their competitors' equivalents) are pretty much cymbal heaven. They're on the dark side and very musical, and they aren't deafening. They ARE a bit pricey though, and if your drummer is a caveman they won't last a lifetime. But they sound great!

[chrisso]

+1
I've been using the thinner, darker K Zildjians for years (in a rock band setting).
Other cymbal company equivalents are fine too (Sabian HHX for example).
I can think of very few instances where you would need 'rock' or 'projection' cymbals.

[AllAboutTone]

Thanks for the help....anyone else ?

[mikethedrummer]

any guitar center or sam ash will have a wall of cymbals
bring your drummer in and have him check it out
its going to come down to preference
when you say you need to play heavy but quiet i think of the zildjian Ks as well
They are too light for my taste as I would destroy them on the daily and they would not cut with my band live. I use A customs. they are a little more durable, but i would consider them "bright" and airy, but thats what you would want for most genres other than jazz or something light like folk or bluegrass. When you say rock and roll, i say bright is necessary to cut through loud ass distorted guitars

anywho, maybe listen to some songs and try to find your ideal cymbal tone, put the song on your ipod, bring your ipod to sam ash and A/B every cymbal on the wall till you find it

[Grumblefoot]

Look in the Sabian HHX line. dark but still live enough to cut.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by mikethedrummer

any guitar center or sam ash will have a wall of cymbals
bring your drummer in and have him check it out
its going to come down to preference
when you say you need to play heavy but quiet i think of the zildjian Ks as well
They are too light for my taste as I would destroy them on the daily and they would not cut with my band live. I use A customs. they are a little more durable, but i would consider them "bright" and airy, but thats what you would want for most genres other than jazz or something light like folk or bluegrass. When you say rock and roll, i say bright is necessary to cut through loud ass distorted guitars

anywho, maybe listen to some songs and try to find your ideal cymbal tone, put the song on your ipod, bring your ipod to sam ash and A/B every cymbal on the wall till you find it

I see what you are saying but we have been playing a lot of clubs with a wood stage and the surrounding not having much padding even the non stage floors or cement painted somewhat, if we played in areas that were all carpet they would be no issues much at all. Rooms make a difference.

[tyro]

I recommend looking at Bosphorus cymbals also. They're a bit cheaper pricewise compared to Zildjian K (at least here), but in quality and sound I really like Bosphorus. For new cymbals, I look at them first of all now. Go for the Traditional or Master series for warmer classic tones; Gold series is the brighter/airier more modern line, though not as bright as Zildjian A Customs in my experience.
Have not played the Master Vintage and Antique series, but they might work for you as well I suspect. Depends on what kind of warmth/tone you like...

Samples are up at Bosphorus

[toolskid]

If your drummer has good technique he could try and find some Mel Lewis Istanbuls. All the modern Z's and sabians are not really anything like I would call 'dark'. If really dark isn't what you are going for and you want some of the modern clang and zing you could look at the Zildjian constantinople range, they are generally pretty heavy but on the darker side!!!

There are some good dark cymbals available from Bosphorous and Istanbul if you get an opportunity to search through a selection!

Good luck!

[tyro]

Originally Posted by toolskid

There are some good dark cymbals available from Bosphorous if you get an opportunity to search through a selection!

Good luck!

Yeah for sure, they can vary quite a bit within the same series and size... For me not a problem, I like the 'personality' aspect of it

[AllAboutTone]

I got a HHX and I love it, so far its a keeper over the A customs by far in a live setting.

[Jax]

HHX is cool. For heavy rock or metal I really like the hhXplosion crashes, but only one. A kit with 2 with be similar to having a couple of Chinas, which ain't really needed. Zildjian Oriental China Trash + Xplosion crash would be good because they sound different and complement each other.

Not saying they're right for your drummer, probably not if he's already a hard hitter. Depends on the music.

[pw2005]

Good advice here so far. I like Paiste dark crisp hi hats and signature fast crashes. The fast crashes are about ther quietest cymbals I have used. There is a bright top end to Paiste but they are ultra smooth sounding. The signature dry ride is amazing too.

Peter Warren