Complementing Your Drum Setup with the Best Low-Volume Cymbals 

By  //  January 5, 2021

Low-volume cymbals can be of great benefit to you. Most drum cymbals, regardless of size, have one thing in common: they are loud. But this property is not always necessary. For example, if you play jazz, you may want a quieter cymbal.

Also, you may wish to perform in a building with other residents. If you’re an aspiring drummer, you probably would like some advice on choosing these set elements. 

This is where low-volume cymbals come in handy. Here we will tell you how to choose such cymbals.

Take the Weight into Account

The volume of any cymbal is determined by how the vibrations pass through the material after you hit it. It doesn’t matter whether cymbals are handmade or not. They are all designed to produce a specific sound at a particular volume.

The weight of the plate, in this case, plays a significant role. Quiet cymbals, like all others, are made of metal or alloy. However, parameters such as resonance and weight are controlled by drilling hundreds of holes in its surface.

Due to its lightweight and reduced resonance, the vibration generated by the cymbal is reduced. So the first thing to remember is that the lighter the cymbal, the quieter it is.

Are They for You?

There are several uses for low-volume cymbals. You can use them if you want a quiet sound. For example, you play in an apartment, but you do not want to scare away all the neighbors and make their dogs bark in unison.

Cymbals of this type will allow you to train almost anywhere, while your standard set can cause a flurry of anger. Is this all about training? But what about acoustic concerts or playing in small cozy bars?

These are not worth giving up if you have cymbals with a low volume level. They will not destroy such evenings’ intimacy and will be the perfect accompaniment to highlight the performance.

What About Characteristics?

Specifications vary by brand, size, and type of cymbals. Specific loudness characteristics specified in decibels are challenging to find. This is usually noted as a 20-decibel drop in volume. Some brands claim that their quiet plates are 80% quieter than standard. In any case, you should always follow the next point.

Always Test 

Think about where and how you will play the cymbals. Play them in the store as you usually would, as a light swipe of your finger will not produce the desired sound. Create a work environment. Start with medium-weight plates. From there, you can move on to lighter ones until you find a sound that suits you.

Place the cymbals on the racks and tilt them the way they are tilted in your setup. Then play them as usual. It is the only way to feel the cymbals and hear their real sound.

Advantages

In general, low-volume cymbals have many advantages in addition to the obvious. It’s significant to name the following:

▪You have the feel of an acoustic cymbal as opposed to a rubber pad. You can keep the dynamics of the game.

▪You can hear exactly which cymbal you’re using.

▪Impact sound will not penetrate walls to neighbors.

▪Can be used with electronic triggers.

Find Your Perfect Sound

Choosing low-volume cymbals can be a real challenge. But don’t despair. It’s worth it because you’ll get more fascinating opportunities together with these cymbals. After all, you can train and play without any problems wherever you need a quieter sound. Do not forget about the weight of the plates and also test what you choose.