Good Crash Cymbals - Why You Need Them
Overview
Why You Should Invest in Good Crash Cymbals
In the epic world of drumming, each piece of a drum kit plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall sonic landscape and the drummers’ identity.
Among the arsenal of a drummer’s kit, crash cymbals stand out as key contributors to the rhythmic tapestry.
This blog delves into the importance of investing in good crash cymbals, exploring the advantages and potential drawbacks of going cheap and nasty.
We’ll also give some options for mid range cymbals, for those who are budget conscious.
Among the arsenal of a drummer’s kit, crash cymbals stand out as key contributors to the rhythmic tapestry.
This blog delves into the importance of investing in good crash cymbals, exploring the advantages and potential drawbacks of going cheap and nasty.
We’ll also give some options for mid range cymbals, for those who are budget conscious.
Quick Answers
At a Glance:
Get Sonic Definition
Sound More Advanced
Durability
Musical Versatility
Versatility in Live and Studio
- Possibly Cheaper in the Long Run
” More expensive Cymbals are NOT always the best Cymbals for the job. I have cracked, old, thrashed-out Cymbals as well as brand-new polished ones, sometimes old and cracked works better”.
Gavin Barracks, Educator, Session Drummer.
The Importance of Good Crash Cymbals:
1. Sonic Definition:
– Pros:
Good crash cymbals are essential for providing sonic definition to various elements in a drumming performance. They cut through the mix with clarity, ensuring that accents, transitions, and key moments in a song are highlighted effectively. – Cons:
Poor-quality crash cymbals may lack the clarity and brightness needed for distinct sonic definition. They tend to produce muddy or indistinct sounds, diminishing the impact of your drumming.
– Pros:
Good crash cymbals are essential for providing sonic definition to various elements in a drumming performance. They cut through the mix with clarity, ensuring that accents, transitions, and key moments in a song are highlighted effectively. – Cons:
Poor-quality crash cymbals may lack the clarity and brightness needed for distinct sonic definition. They tend to produce muddy or indistinct sounds, diminishing the impact of your drumming.
2. Expressive Playing:
– Pros:
Quality crash cymbals respond to the nuances of your playing style, allowing for expressive and dynamic performances.
They offer a wide range of tonal possibilities, from subtle crashes to explosive accents, enhancing your ability to convey emotion through your drumming and subsequently can make you sound like a more accomplished drummer.
– Cons:
Lower-quality crash cymbals may limit your ability to express yourself on the drum kit.
They may not respond well to variations in intensity and may lack the versatility needed for expressive playing.
In short, you can sound like a wannabe or a beginner.
– Pros:
Quality crash cymbals respond to the nuances of your playing style, allowing for expressive and dynamic performances.
They offer a wide range of tonal possibilities, from subtle crashes to explosive accents, enhancing your ability to convey emotion through your drumming and subsequently can make you sound like a more accomplished drummer.
– Cons:
Lower-quality crash cymbals may limit your ability to express yourself on the drum kit.
They may not respond well to variations in intensity and may lack the versatility needed for expressive playing.
In short, you can sound like a wannabe or a beginner.
3. Durability:
– Pros:
Investing in good crash cymbals often means choosing durable materials and construction.
Quality cymbals are more likely to withstand the impact of drumming, providing longevity and reliability even with regular use.
So even tho they are more expensive, they can save you money in the long run.
– Cons:
Cheaper or lower-quality crash cymbals may be more prone to damage, including cracks or chips.
This compromises their durability, leading to potential replacements, repairs and again, additional costs over time.
4. Musical Versatility:
– Pros:
Good crash cymbals offer versatility in terms of the musical genres they can complement.
Whether you’re playing rock, jazz, pop, or metal, quality crash cymbals adapt to the stylistic demands, contributing to a well-rounded and adaptable drumming setup.
– Cons:
Subpar crash cymbals may have limitations in terms of their adaptability across genres.
They might not offer the range of tones and characteristics needed for diverse musical styles.
It must be noted that some cheaper, older or “raw” sounding cymbals can work really well in particular styles such as folk, jazz or rock.
It really does come down to the sounds you like and are wanting to produce.
– Pros:
Investing in good crash cymbals often means choosing durable materials and construction.
Quality cymbals are more likely to withstand the impact of drumming, providing longevity and reliability even with regular use.
So even tho they are more expensive, they can save you money in the long run.
– Cons:
Cheaper or lower-quality crash cymbals may be more prone to damage, including cracks or chips.
This compromises their durability, leading to potential replacements, repairs and again, additional costs over time.
4. Musical Versatility:
– Pros:
Good crash cymbals offer versatility in terms of the musical genres they can complement.
Whether you’re playing rock, jazz, pop, or metal, quality crash cymbals adapt to the stylistic demands, contributing to a well-rounded and adaptable drumming setup.
– Cons:
Subpar crash cymbals may have limitations in terms of their adaptability across genres.
They might not offer the range of tones and characteristics needed for diverse musical styles.
It must be noted that some cheaper, older or “raw” sounding cymbals can work really well in particular styles such as folk, jazz or rock.
It really does come down to the sounds you like and are wanting to produce.
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5. Recording and Live Performance:
– Pros:
Quality crash cymbals shine in recording and live performance scenarios.
They translate well in different environments, providing a balanced and consistent sound.
Their superior sonic characteristics make them reliable choices for professional drummers.
– Cons:
Lower-quality crash cymbals may present challenges in recording and live situations.
Inconsistent sounds, undesirable overtones, or a lack of projection can hinder the overall quality of the drumming performance.
– Pros:
Quality crash cymbals shine in recording and live performance scenarios.
They translate well in different environments, providing a balanced and consistent sound.
Their superior sonic characteristics make them reliable choices for professional drummers.
– Cons:
Lower-quality crash cymbals may present challenges in recording and live situations.
Inconsistent sounds, undesirable overtones, or a lack of projection can hinder the overall quality of the drumming performance.
Want to know what the Best Cymbals on a Budget are?
Read our comprehensive article to find out more.
Read our comprehensive article to find out more.
1. Listen and Compare:
– Take the time to listen to different crash cymbals and compare their sounds.
Consider factors such as brightness, sustain, and overall character to find cymbals that align with your preferences.
2. Consider Material and Construction:
– Look for crash cymbals made from quality materials such as B20 bronze.
Consider the manufacturing process and craftsmanship, as these aspects contribute to the cymbals’ durability and sonic characteristics.
3. Test Responsiveness:
– Test the responsiveness of crash cymbals by varying your playing intensity.
Quality cymbals should respond accurately to different playing dynamics, allowing for a nuanced and expressive performance.
4. Evaluate Versatility:
– Choose crash cymbals that offer versatility across musical genres.
Consider whether the cymbals provide the range of tones and characteristics needed for the diverse styles you intend to play.
5. Factor in Budget:
– While good crash cymbals are an investment, consider your budget and explore options that offer a balance between quality and affordability.
Remember that the durability and performance of quality cymbals often justify the initial cost.
– Take the time to listen to different crash cymbals and compare their sounds.
Consider factors such as brightness, sustain, and overall character to find cymbals that align with your preferences.
2. Consider Material and Construction:
– Look for crash cymbals made from quality materials such as B20 bronze.
Consider the manufacturing process and craftsmanship, as these aspects contribute to the cymbals’ durability and sonic characteristics.
3. Test Responsiveness:
– Test the responsiveness of crash cymbals by varying your playing intensity.
Quality cymbals should respond accurately to different playing dynamics, allowing for a nuanced and expressive performance.
4. Evaluate Versatility:
– Choose crash cymbals that offer versatility across musical genres.
Consider whether the cymbals provide the range of tones and characteristics needed for the diverse styles you intend to play.
5. Factor in Budget:
– While good crash cymbals are an investment, consider your budget and explore options that offer a balance between quality and affordability.
Remember that the durability and performance of quality cymbals often justify the initial cost.
Summary
In summary, we know that good crash cymbals can make a huge difference in your performance and how you are even perceived as a drummer in some cases.
While the initial investment may be higher, the advantages of enhanced sound quality, expressive playing, durability, and musical versatility make good crash cymbals a wise choice for drummers who seek excellence in their craft.
As you embark on your drumming journey, remember that the sound of your crashes resonates beyond the drum kit, leaving a lasting impact on the overall musical experience.
So go forth and find the crash cymbals that suit you as a drummer but also the band or music you are playing.
As we drummers generally play in multiple bands, you’ll most likely find that you will collect quite a few over the years, old, new, cracked and sparkling new ones, they each have their place.
While the initial investment may be higher, the advantages of enhanced sound quality, expressive playing, durability, and musical versatility make good crash cymbals a wise choice for drummers who seek excellence in their craft.
As you embark on your drumming journey, remember that the sound of your crashes resonates beyond the drum kit, leaving a lasting impact on the overall musical experience.
So go forth and find the crash cymbals that suit you as a drummer but also the band or music you are playing.
As we drummers generally play in multiple bands, you’ll most likely find that you will collect quite a few over the years, old, new, cracked and sparkling new ones, they each have their place.
Q & A
Q. Can cheap cymbals sound good?
Like most other instruments, You Get What You Pay For.
In saying that there are a few fortunate exceptions, but generally, higher-priced cymbals typically offer superior sound quality and musicality compared to their more affordable counterparts. Personal taste is the key here, what type of sound are you wanting? Start here and see where you end up.
Don’t buy any expensive cymbal and expect one size fits all, it doesn’t.
Q. What cymbals sound the best?
This question is pretty unanswerable as it again depends on what sound you want.
Every cymbal has its own unique characteristics and should always serve a musical purpose.
Listen to your favourite band or drummer and listen to how they use their cymbals, what brand and size are they??
This is a great place to start.
Q. How many crash cymbals should I have?
Most drummers have two crash cymbals and sometimes use their ride as well.
Typically, one crash would be on the left side and one on the right near the ride cymbal.
How many and how you set them up is of course up to your own personal preference.
Like most other instruments, You Get What You Pay For.
In saying that there are a few fortunate exceptions, but generally, higher-priced cymbals typically offer superior sound quality and musicality compared to their more affordable counterparts. Personal taste is the key here, what type of sound are you wanting? Start here and see where you end up.
Don’t buy any expensive cymbal and expect one size fits all, it doesn’t.
Q. What cymbals sound the best?
This question is pretty unanswerable as it again depends on what sound you want.
Every cymbal has its own unique characteristics and should always serve a musical purpose.
Listen to your favourite band or drummer and listen to how they use their cymbals, what brand and size are they??
This is a great place to start.
Q. How many crash cymbals should I have?
Most drummers have two crash cymbals and sometimes use their ride as well.
Typically, one crash would be on the left side and one on the right near the ride cymbal.
How many and how you set them up is of course up to your own personal preference.
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