3 Ways to Dampen Cymbals - A Sound Comparison
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When we think 'Dampening' we often think drums, but cymbals can take well to dampening too! It can help us bring a lively cymbal under control, and take those wild overtones and sustain down a notch.
But how do you dampen a cymbal, and how to the different methods sound different? Let's find out!
Contents (Quick Navigation):
0:00 - Introduction
0:46 - The Methods
2:15 - Undampened
2:37 - Cymbal Tuners
3:17 - Moongel
3:58 - Tape
4:40 - Undampened (Solo)
4:54 - Cymbal Tuners (Solo)
5:20 - Moongel (Solo)
5:52 - Tape (Solo)
6:30 - Our Thoughts
Gear Featured:
Tama Starclassic Bubinga Elite - 22, 10, 12, 16"
Tama Starclassic Copper 14x5.5" Snare
Meinl Byzance 15" Dual Hats
Meinl Byzance Extra Dry 19" Thin Crash
Paiste Signature Dry 20" Ride
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Пікірлер: 48
The tape wins it for me. I think the Moongel would work better if it was 1/2, 1/4 or even lesser sized piece. The Cymbal Tuner are a no go for me. I've been sceptical of them from the release and haven't convinced me that they are worth it. I have a 20" ZBT ride I still use from time to time and it does need some dampening. I use gaff tape on the bottom of the ride in a square around the bell. I find it helped a lot killed a lot of the excess wash while still keeping the tone and sound. Also did the electrical tape in a big a on the bottom as well. That did the job too, sometimes the cheap and easy solution is the best.
@drumdog
2 жыл бұрын
Very true
I have tried most of those dampening materials, I always end up, so far, with a plain cymbal, no dampening, working on my technique. Narrower sticks, hitting with just the tip, angle the cymbal so easier to hit with less of the stick, hitting with rebound/loose grip. I like this video, good discussion at the end.
Good Video guys, regarding the difference in sounds your cymbals make when Dampened.I found it difficult to hear the difference, while the rest of the kit was being played loudly.Its hard enough trying to listen thru the tiny speakers on a Mac. Maybe its me!! Im very OLD.
I have used a clothespin on the top edge of my ride for many years. The spring has enough flex to have some give if dynamics increase in intensity. It leaves no residue or marks and can be easily removed. The drawback is that I have to adjust it between songs every now and then. Tape residue is a no-go.
Light tape if you have too. Best sound still was no damping! Magnets were horrible.
@drumdog
2 жыл бұрын
right there with ya 👍
Nice but I’d like to hear an example for the guy who goes full arm swing 1/4 note crash ride, most of the time running audio I don’t get guys with as nice of a touch as you play with
What about a 3M foam rubber tape in two strips?
Super helpful video, thanks.
Agree, tape best, I have the tuners and they’re too much and with tape you can finesse it properly in terms of how much and where on the cym. Great vid thanks
@drumdog
2 ай бұрын
Absolutely, @MumboJumbo45! Tape offers that perfect adjustability. We appreciate your feedback and are glad you found the video useful!
I really like the zildjian ping ride. It has a nice bright ping and clear stick definition. What would you recommend to slightly dampen it
I completely agree. on the tuners significantly choking out the majority of the tone. Only for certain specific circumstances do I think you'd want that kind of sound. I think the tape works better, and think you should reassess the size and thickness of the cymbal if you want a quieter thing. Cheers for the vid! Would like the video but it's on 69 and I don't wanna be the one to ruin that.
@drumdog
2 жыл бұрын
😂😂 nice
The heavy taping was just enough to make the wash controllable. The moongel surprised me but it just looks so terrible on top of such a beautiful cymbal. At least the tape is on the under side.
Could these magnetic things destroy the cymbal?
Do I have an enhanced risk that a cymbal gets cracked when I dampen it with moongel?
@drumdog
2 жыл бұрын
I very much doubt it, I would be far more concerned with over tightening and playing technique.
@gerhardgammla3460
2 жыл бұрын
@@drumdog ok thank you very much :)
Guys you'r brilliant
@drumdog
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoy the videos. thanks for watching
ok ,I use ducktape to damp but also want to reduse the soundlength of my cymbal. The length is now over 7 sec! I like to reduce it till 1 or 2! Using now the paiste402 12" splash Any technique that can help for any kind of cymbal? (except placing your hand on it ;) ) Or do i have to look for cymbals made with short soundlength?
@drumdog
Жыл бұрын
Try a smaller splash size for a shorter response 🙂
problem is plumbers taope wont stick to a symbol, what about Duct tape?
@drumdog
2 жыл бұрын
Duct tape can leave some nasty residue unfortunately, but electrical tape (as seen in vid) is a nice low-adhesive option 🙂
@97warlock
2 жыл бұрын
@@drumdog wont Black tape .......fall off
@markielinhart
Жыл бұрын
No, not plumbers tape. Try electricians tape…✌️
Proper tool & proper technique. ( At least that's what she said last night. ) Cheers.
Honoust and usefull
Is it just me, or did the moongels make it sound more like a cowbell or a gong? My money's on the tape. Dampened without giving it chonk.
FYI, the actual term is "damping". :)
The tape was the least bad and, on all of the different options, the lighter dampening was better.
Agreed… tape wins but why kill that beautiful sound??? Go lighter sticks no dampening 👍
@drumdog
2 жыл бұрын
Yep Yep Yep
@jamesdoctor8079
2 жыл бұрын
lighter sticks actually make the cymbal definition higher in my experience… if anything, blunt end of a 5a played super lightly/dynamic
@Shaker4x4
2 жыл бұрын
Silicone stick heads are another option. They look like a honey dipper head.
👍👍👍
the nicest sound by far was un dampened
You should use a bigger and better cymbal for the demonstration. Like, a jazz (real) cymbal. This is a one dimensional tour rock n roll toy crash cymbal.
The most musical option was the tape
@drumdog
2 ай бұрын
Agreed, @tmappe! Tape can be surprisingly versatile for finding that 'just right' sound. Glad you found the option musical!
Actually amazed at how bad those magnets sound
4th method=tip a bucket of watter on them🤣
Tape sounded best
i just play more on the tip of my sticks rather than sticking the edge of the cymbal ...
Hmmm 😂 none of the methods you talk about will dampen them, unless you're a heavy sweater and fling some on them!