Frequently Asked Questions...
Is there anyway I can make my crash cymbal decay faster?
I don't want to lose the volume or the tone though so is there anything i can buy or any household items i can use to make it decay faster?
Answer:
The short answer to make a cymbal decay faster is muffing.
Here's where things get really subjective. Many drummers over the years have employed some really wacky methods of muffling cymbals. The reasons for doing this usually fall into three categories:
1- Getting rid of that nasty ringing overtone.
2- Muting the sound and shortening the decay.
3- Getting a warmer, rounder, "fatter" tone.
The list of how this is achieved is endless. Tape, goopy stuff, felt, band-aids, blankets...
There are commercial solutions for muffing cymbals that are called cymbal pads. Many volume reduction pads for cymbals are attached to the wing nut of the cymbal stand and actually flop around on top of cymbal, impeding your ability to play properly. These types of mutes have a number of functional and technical problems. First, they flap around on cymbals, only partially muffling the sound. The unpredictable nature of this movement creates technical concerns, because the flapping rubber alters the natural cymbal reflex motion and interferes with feel.
The best cymbal mutes attach, adhere, and connect directly to cymbals, allowing them to flow with the rhythm of your playing. This connectivity is a huge technical advantage because it eliminates unwanted variables such as flapping, obstructed mute position, noise issues and secondary impact problems.
We recommend PI Cymbal Mutes that offer players a great feeling cymbal mute that moves and grooves with the natural movement and flow of the cymbal: http://www.percussiveinnovations.com/vcd_cymbal.htm
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Crash Cymbal
Drum Sets : Drums Sets: Crash Cymbal
7 Tips When Choosing To Buy Cymbals
7 Tips When Choosing To Buy Cymbals
If it has finally come time to buy cymbals for your drum set, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Knowing ahead of time what type of cymbals and what sound you are looking for is very important. Often, the cymbal will sound drastically different in the store than it does in a live setting or while practicing with your fellow band mates.
When testing very thin cymbals for example, they may sound great during the testing phase, which is due in part to the fact that thin cymbals respond very easily. Take that same cymbal and start slamming away on them at the local rock scene and they simply won't stand up to the punishment that heavier music demands.
With that being said, here are seven tips to keep in mind when purchasing a new cymbal for your set-up.
1. Consider carefully where and how you will be utilizing the cymbal you are thinking about buying. It would benefit you greatly to create as normal of an environment as possible. Although the shop is much different than a live location you can still test it out like you would on stage. Tapping it with your finger isn't going to help much, so don't be afraid to give it a good smack with some solid drumsticks.
2. A nice medium model is an excellent way to start, making it much easier to move up or down in weight until you find the cymbal that suits your needs. Ride cymbals tend to be the ones that are relied on for the rhythm patterns, where as crashes should explode more when struck, and are better for accents.
3. Walk around to various places in the store while having a salesperson play the cymbal at different levels. This will help you get more of an overall feel of how that cymbal might sound.
4. Smaller or thinner type cymbals really are better for low to mid volume playing, and sound better when tapped with your finger. They are also not as durable and should not be played like your main crash with heavier volumes. Let the heavier hi-hats or rides carry that burden. They are better for sticking and will allow a cleaner stroke.
5. When setting up the cymbal to test it out, put it on a good stand and angle it just how you would if you were putting it in your own drum set-up. Playing it like this will reveal exactly how it feels and how much sound you will get when in the actual playing position.
6. Don't get too attached to one single cymbal. The cymbal you may have become partial to, may not be the best one for your needs. If you tend to hit the cymbals harder or play louder and heavier music, make sure you choose larger and heavier cymbals. Heavier models will be more durable and will give off a bigger sound as a whole.
7. Lastly, make sure you take into consideration the opinions of others, especially the drum specialists in the store, as they can be extremely helpful in your decision making. Don't be shy, the more questions you ask the better off you are.
I hope these tips will come in handy if you decide to buy cymbals for your drum set. Ultimately the decision is up to you though as there are many great manufacturers and a vast array of types and styles to choose from.
About the Author
Hi, I love percussion, and everything that has to do with guitars. If you would like to find out more about the many different types of cymbals please visit:
Cymbal Percussion
7 Tips When Choosing To Buy Cymbals
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