Cymbals Direct

Cymbal choices are some of the most exciting and overwhelming decisions that must be made when customizing a drum kit. For the drummer ready to move beyond basic cymbals and start building a personal sound, or the professional drummer looking to enhance a drum kit with a brighter sound or a trashier vibe, a drummer has a wide range of styles, sizes and brands to choose from.

Many cymbals are geared toward specific styles of music, and have descriptive terminology that can ultimately define the sound. When looking for the right sound, emulating a favorite drummer or artist can be an effective tool to help discover the desired harmonics. Cymbal brands like Meinl, Zildjian and Sabian all have information throughout their websites that list the artists and the cymbals they endorse. It can also help to research videos of artists, or the different videos that these companies have developed in order to help drummers choose. If you are lucky enough to live near a music store that stocks cymbals, testing the sound in person is a great way to find the right cymbal, but it should be noted that the sound of a cymbal in a music store is different than the sound heard during a performance or recording session

It can also help to understand the basic structure of a cymbal and how its resonance and sustain are affected by the different weights, lathing or even the finish of a cymbal. Louder music like heavy metal, or that played in a marching band typically requires a heavier cymbal that can stand a beating and keep up with the rest of the music being played. Lighter rock, jazz or country can be enhanced through the sound of a thinner cymbal.



Professional, student and amateur drummers must all look to enhance the sound of a drum set, eventually, whether through wear and tear, or the desire to customize a personal sound. By researching the types of cymbals available and the differences in design, construction and feel, drummers of any level of experience can find the cymbal that completes the overall sound of the rhythm as well as the music.

Labels: Cymbals Guide

The thought of Brazilian drumming may bring to mind fantastic Latin rhythms and the integration of world drums into edgy and driving beats that make even the shyest spectator want to dance. In the case of Vera Figueiredo, this stereotype is absolutely true, yet not the complete picture of sound. Vera Figueiredo is not only an accomplished Latin drummer, but  she also bridges the Latin and Rock genres together, beautifully, giving her the presence of an edgy, driven and overtly talented and entertaining drummer.

Figuiredo may have cornered the market on Latin drumming with her Afro-Cuban style, but as a self-proclaimed fan of bands like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, Figuiredo’s style is a culmination of Latin, fusion, jazz, rock and funk drumming. Known in Brazil as the “Queen of Drumming,” her unique style of drumming and astonishing personality are also known across the world. Not only an accomplished drummer and performer, Figuiredo also has her own drumming school:  The Vera Figueiredo Drum Institute (Instituto de Bateria Vera Figueiredo), located in Brazil.



As a Sabian artist, Vera Figueiredo’s drum rig consists of a multitude of different cymbals, including several HHX Evolution series cymbals and her favorite, the Vault V-FX Distortion Hi-hat. As an accomplished drummer, Figueiredo has taught and played around the world in various ensembles, orchestras and with her own band, and it is her unique style and rich sound that she has become one of the greatest Latin drummers today.

Labels: Artists, Sabian Cymbals

Whether bright and shiny, subtly matte, lathed, dark or mysterious, the way a cymbal looks has more than a visual effect on a music performance. Cymbals are complicated instruments that are crafted according to standards that have been improved upon for centuries. From the angle of the cymbal, the size of its bell and the metal alloys used, a cymbal can produce a wide range of sounds, tones and harmonics to suit the drummer and music being played.

The finish used on a cymbal has more than an aesthetic function. In fact, the finish can be the finishing touch on a cymbal, giving each cymbal style or series a voice and overtone of its own.  Unfinished cymbals have a dirty, trashy or otherwise dark feel to the sound, one that is especially evident in cymbals that are hammered by hand or roughly lathed. The Meinl Byzance Dark Splash cymbal is a great example of the sound quality and tone available in a cymbal that is unfinished.

Finished cymbals provide an entirely different sound to the drumming continuum than an unfinished cymbal. Polished, buffed and lathed to perfection, these cymbals give the sound a more refined, glassy and clear tone. Finished cymbals epitomize the drum set, shining in their splendor amidst the toms, snare and bass drum. The Sabian APX Cymbal gives a quality and dynamic sound while not compromising volume or appearance.



Cymbals bring a finishing touch to any drum solo or fill, giving songs a harmonic tone and emotional pulse through crashes, splashes and hard-hitting rhythm. Whether a finished, hammered, unfinished or otherwise specially-crafted cymbal, the final appearance and finish on the instrument can be the final note to a supreme musical composition.

Labels: Cymbals Tips

The effortless splendor of a cymbal produces a complex range of tones and resonance that adds to the emotion and spirit of a song.  Whether a crash, splash, hi-hat or ride, the cymbal has a dynamic ability to change the tone of a song to fit a specific genre or style of music.  For musicians and percussionists looking to add a little more action to the cymbal sound, the Sizzle cymbal brings a unique flavor and tone to a studio, stage or garage performance.

Sizzle cymbals help bring out a more vibrant, but less sustained sound through the addition of chains, rattles or rivets on the cymbal. Many Sizzle cymbals are standard Ride cymbals freely affixed with a ball chain on the surface that changes the overall tone of the cymbal. Rivets can also be drilled into the cymbal to create a similar, but different rattle. This rattle sound can be heard over the basic tone of the cymbal, combining together to produce a probing sound with a quick decay and decadent rasp. As a type of effects cymbal, the Sizzle can be heard in swing, jazz, early rock and even punk music.


When looking to personalize a drumming style or create a new sound, a Sizzle cymbal brings out the unique qualities and dynamics inherent in cymbals. Tapping into the harmonic possibilities of metals, alloys and a skilled drummer, Sizzle cymbals produce effects like no other cymbal can.

Labels: Cymbals Guide, Sizzle Cymbal