13″–14″.
The traditional sizing for hi-hats is 13″–14″, with 12s, 15s, and 16s becoming more common in recent years. Ride — The ride cymbal is the other major timekeeper behind the kit.
In this post
What is the best hi-hat size?
Selecting your Hi Hat Cymbal: Size Wisely
When it comes to size, smaller Hi Hats like 13″ or 14″ will provide a more bright and crispy tone. If you’re looking for a dark and warm sound, go with a 15″ or 16″ Hi Hat. Although it’s not too common, I’ve used a 16″ top with a 13″ bottom and a 14″ top with a 15″ bottom.
What size crash cymbals should I get?
The best cymbal size is somewhere between 14″ and 16″. The larger the diameter, the greater the projection of sound. Pay attention to the “bell” or the curved area in the center of your cymbals too – a larger bell will have more projection and be louder.
How tight should my top hi-hat be?
A little loose gives a good “wash” too, when you want it. Rub your palms together…the looser you have the hats, the more of THAT action between the cymbals you get. The tighter the hats, the more the edges will stay in line with each other, and the result is more “clang” sound.
Are bigger cymbals louder?
Cymbal size refers to the overall diameter of a cymbal. Larger cymbals generally have more volume, longer sustain and slower response than smaller cymbals. Bigger Cymbals = Increased Volume, Slower response, and Longer Sustain. Smaller Cymbals = Lower Volume, Faster Attack and Faster Decay.
What is the most popular crash cymbal?
Zildjian 18” A Custom
The Zildjian A Custom is arguably one of the most popular crash cymbals that exists.
What cymbals should a drummer have?
Sizes typically range from 14” to 18”, and a nice 16” is a good size for starters. A general rule is the thicker the cymbal, the higher the pitch. If you’re playing a lot of rock music, a thicker cymbal may withstand the loud crashes better than a thinner cymbal (although the latter has more flexibility).
How much space is between hi hats?
About 3/4″ to 1″ on mine.
Should hi-hats be mono or stereo?
The kick and the snare should be mono, the open-hats and the toms should be panned, and the closed hi-hats can be both panned and stereo.
Should I pan my hi-hats?
Pan for feel and space for a vibrant hi-hat sound
By panning hi-hats to the sides, everything that’s left in the center will get more attention, simultaneously making the mix feel wider and more rhythmic. For hip-hop and electronic tracks, I like to pan hats 30–50% away from the center.
What Hi Hats Does Taylor Hawkins use?
DW 9000 Hi-Hat Stand
According to an interview with Guitar Center, Taylor Hawkins uses a DW9000 Hi Hat Stand.
What cymbals does Chad Sexton use?
Chad Sexton, drummer of 311, is endorsing Sabian cymbals again. Chad founded 311 in 1988 with his bandmates in Omaha, Nebraska. He began his career using Sabian cymbals on his band’s first three records. For a couple of years Chad used Zildjian cymbals, but he has now rejoined Sabian’s artist family.
What drummers use Zildjian?
Zildjian has a strong list of hundreds of professional drummers that endorse their brand of cymbals. Here is a small example of some of the professionals that use Zildjian brand cymbals: Travis Barker, Rick Allen, Alan White, Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, Elvin Jones, Jared Falk, and more!
When should you use a hi-hat pedal?
The hi-hat pedal is used to create different sounds when striking the hi-hats, and to keep time for yourself and the band during a song. Use the wing nut to adjust the cymbals about an inch apart. If your foot is on the pedal holding the cymbals together, lift it up so the cymbals are not touching each other.
Why is it called a china cymbal?
The name “China cymbal” comes from their shape, which is similar to the Chinese Bo. They are most frequently mounted upside down on cymbal stands, allowing for them to be more easily struck and for a better sound.
How big is a ride cymbal?
When struck, a ride cymbal makes a sustained, shimmering sound rather than the shorter, decaying sound of a crash cymbal. The most common diameter for a ride cymbal is about 20 inches (51 cm), but anything from 18 inches (46 cm) to 22 inches (56 cm) is standard.
How long do cymbals last?
Most drummers who have good playing techniques and do proper maintenance can use their cymbals for up to 20, 30 years, if not more. If quality cymbals break after a short time, you should replace them – but also consider purchasing suitable cymbals for the appropriate musical direction.
Do I need 2 crash cymbals?
I like to use my second for crashing while riding on a crash, if you have a different crash it’ll give you a different tone so you can accentuate on down beats or whatever while riding on a crash. Two crashes have infinite possibilities and you can experiment with many ways to use them.
Zildjian founded Sabian Cymbals in Meductic in 1981 after a legal battle with his brother over inheritance of the Zildjian family business. The two companies remain competitors and world leaders in the cymbal business.
Is Sabian vs Zildjian better?
Zildjian and Sabian both produce a wide range of comparable cymbals that are mostly similarly priced, though some Sabian models are slightly cheaper. Sabian is popular for genres like worship and metal, while Zildjian is more popular for classic rock, punk and is the go-to cymbal brand for jazz drummers.
Which cymbal brand is best?
The top 11 best cymbal brands in the world are:
- Zildjian.
- Sabian.
- Meinl Percussion.
- Paiste.
- Crescent.
- Hammerax.
- Istanbul Agop.
- Soultone Cymbals.