Cymbals

Discover the Cymbals That Define Your Sound

Nobody knows better than Sweetwater that the tone and touch of a cymbal can make or break a performance. Brightness, sensitivity, definition, complexity — these qualities can have a dramatic impact on the way you pang your pies and flourish your fills.

That’s why we’re proud to partner with the industry’s leading cymbal makers to bring you a bouquet of bronze and a symphony of sonics. Zildjian, Paiste, Sabian, Meinl, Roland, Wuhan, and more — you’ll find the sounds you’re searching for right here under one roof.

Are you searching for cymbals that have the soul and reach to connect with your audience? Low-volume cymbals to help tame a lively room? Electronic cymbals that choke and sway like the real things? You’ll find these and more right here at Sweetwater.

Clamoring for New Crashes and Hats? Start Here

If you’re new to cymbal shopping, then it can be a lot to take in. That’s why we’ve put together a handy buying guide for cymbals that walks you through the anatomy of a cymbal, the materials used in modern cymballurgy, and a whole glossary of cymbal-related terms to help you make sense of words like “partials,” “dryness,” “glassiness,” and more.

If you need quick recommendations for cymbals, sizes, and packs that will set you up for success in genres from heavy metal to worship music, a quick call or site search will get you what you need.

Cymbal Shopping FAQs

What are the three main types of cymbals?

Trap set drummers use three main types of cymbals: hi-hats, rides, and crashes.

• Hi-hats: the hi-hat is a set of two like-sized cymbals (typically 14 or 15 inches in diameter) mounted to a foot-operated stand; it’s used in count offs, timekeeping, and dynamic builds.
• Rides: the ride cymbal (around 20 inches in diameter) is much larger than the hi-hat and is used to create those spang-a-lang jazz patterns and washy subdivisions.
• Crashes: crash cymbals range in size from 14 inches to 24 inches and are used to establish downbeats and punch musical accents for added effect.

Keep in mind that these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to drum cymbals. Splashes, chinas, swishes, stacks, bells, and more — there’s a world of sounds to explore for today’s adventurous drummer on a quest for a signature sound.

What are electronic cymbal zones?

Zones refer to the mappable playing surfaces of an eCymbal. For instance, a tri-zone ride will activate different sounds whether you play on the bell, bow, or edge regions. Therefore, the more zones an electronic cymbal has, the greater its potential for acoustic realism and player customization.

Which cymbals are best for symphonic music?

If you’re assembling the cymbals for a percussion ensemble or a concert/symphonic band, then here are the major types to start with:

• Suspended cymbals: large and dark-toned suspended cymbals are voiced to produce increscent swells when rolled with soft mallets.
• Hand cymbals: some examples of hand cymbals include matched pairs of hand crashes, as well as finger cymbals and crotales.
• Gongs: no ensemble is complete without a gong or tam-tam; a percussionist will love being the player who gets to initiate the mystic growl of these ancient cymbals, even if it means waiting on standby for 80 measures for their chance to play.

Learn Why Pro Drummers “Ping” Sweetwater for Their Cymbal Needs

Are you shopping for the latest cymbals to elevate your beats, fills, and breakdowns? Sweetwater is here to help. Our cymbal-obsessed Sales Engineers are standing by at (800) 222‑4700 to make recommendations and answer questions about your next splash or cymbal pack.

Out for a little inspiration? Have a look at these cymbal guides and video demos:

• “Greyson Nekrutman’s Favorite Meinl Cymbals” | inSync
• “Zildjian K Sweet Cymbals: Distinctively Dark & Rich Tone” | inSync
• “Crash Course on Dark Cymbals” | inSync
• “Paiste 2002 Big Beat Cymbal Series Review” | inSync