Selecting and maintaining your cymbals as discussed
in the previous sections of this guide are essential
parts of developing a professional drum sound and
attitude. Making sure that you, your band and your
audience can hear your cymbals is equally important.
Any acoustic instrument has physical
limitations and forcing it to compete
with amplified instruments on stage
puts it at an often overwhelming
disadvantage. Today more
than ever, it is up to the
drummer to ensure that
the cymbals, as well as the
drums and other percussion
effects, are properly heard.
Combining acoustic drums
and electronic technology is the
modern, practical and intelligent
approach to handle the situation.
In studio applications, a drummer will work with the
producer and sound engineer to find the right mics and
recording techniques to capture the full range of drum
and cymbal sounds. In live rehearsal and performance
situations, it is in a drummers best interests to understand
how to mic, mix and monitor his or her own
drumsetand possess the necessary equipment.
For the modern drummer, acoustic drums and
microphones go hand-in-hand. Beyond the obvious
benefit of amplifying the drums in live situations and
recording them in the studio, there are other reasons to
mic the drums.
Even in low volume conditions, drum miking can add a
higher level of comfort to your playing and presence to
your sound. Miking gives you control of your sound
letting you balance the volume of your kit separately and
with the band. Plus, with your own mics you wont be
at the mercy of a sound person who may not have the
right quality or quantity of mics to cover your set-up.
Optimum live cymbal miking is accomplished through
the use of a dedicated mic on the hi-hat and two
overheads. These mics are then mixed with the rest of
the drum mics and sent to the drummers in-ear or
external monitor speakers and the house PA system.
Use a separate mic with a tight frequency range,
sensitivity and pattern for the hi-hat (A). Position the
mic 3-4 above the open, top hi-hat cymbal at 10
oclock and pointing straight down.
To capture the sound of the other cymbals, position
two mics with a wider range, response and pick-up
pattern on boom stands over the drums and 12 to
18 above the highest cymbals (B). Place one at
10-11 oclock and the other at 1-2 oclock. For the best
overall coverage pattern, angle the mics downward at
around 45 and pointing towards the middle of the kit.
Purchasing your own mics, a mixer or monitors may
not seem high on your priority list at first but its an
investment that will pay off quickly by saving you money
on replacing sticks, heads and cymbals. More than that,
it may ultimately save your hearing and your hands while
advancing your knowledge and your career.
After your drums, your cymbals are the most important
part of your sound and most expensive part of your kit. In
addition, where the sound of your drums can be modified
by the use of different heads, tuning and muffling,
cymbals perform best in their natural state. Therefore,
keeping them in optimum condition is critical for a number
of musical, visual and financial reasons.
Cymbal Position and Playing Techniques
Two basic yet often overlooked aspects of cymbal care
are correct positioning and playing techniques. Applying
the following simple rules will protect your cymbals and
allow you to get the best sound, performance and lifespan
from them.
Keep your cymbals tilted at a slight angle so that
you are striking them on the face; not directly on
the edge (A).
Use a glancing stroke to pull the sound out
of the cymbal rather than a straight stroke into the
edge of cymbal (B).
Relax. Developing a smooth, fluid playing style
will enhance your sound while protecting your
cymbals and your hands.
Cymbal Stands
It is important to maintain the parts of your cymbal stands
that contact and support the cymbals because they also
help protect the sound and condition of the cymbals.
This includes the wingnuts, seats, felts and sleeves on
the tilter section of the cymbal stand (C) as well as the
clutch, felts and seat on the hi-hat. These parts tend to
wear out over time and should be inspected and replaced
as needed. Individual parts and repair kits are offered
by cymbal, hardware and accessory companies and
available at most drum shops and music stores.
Cymbal Bags and Cases
A top-quality, well-padded cymbal bag or hard case
(preferably with soft dividers) will protect your cymbals
during storage and transport. For local gigs, a soft bag
or light to medium-weight hard case offer protection and
practicality without breaking your back or bank account.
Major tours require the strength and protection of heavyduty
road cases. A full range of hard and soft cases
are available from a wide variety of cymbal and case
companies. Compare prices and features and choose the
one that best meets your needs.
Cymbal Cleaning
Regular cleaning will help keep your cymbals looking
and sounding like new. For light dirt, fingerprints and
tarnish, try gentle cleaning with warm, soapy water. In
more extreme instances, a specially-formulated cymbal
cleaner may be required. Several good cymbal cleaning
and polishing products are commercially available,
including Groove Juice, which is highly recommended
for TRX and other B20 cymbals. Be sure to consult the
manufacturers directions and try cleaning a small test
area before using any polish or cleaner on your cymbals.
Care
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