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Quiet cymbals are innovative products that feature unique metal alloys that produce smooth and harmonious sounds as compared to regular cymbals. If you are doing home practice, you need something quieter to prevent disturbing other family members or neighbors. Similarly, if you are practicing at a studio where there are restrictions in regards to noise sensitivity, a quiet cymbal will get the job done perfectly.
Keeping your drum set at a low volume can be a struggle at times, especially if you live in a place where noise is an issue. Cymbals have a unique characteristic of producing a high pitch and sustained sound for long. The market is awash with dozens of such products and finding the right one that suits your needs may not be easy. Worry not, in here I’ve analyzed the best quiet cymbals to make your shopping hassle-free. Don’t go yet, read on.
Best quiet cymbals reviews
1. Zildjian L80
You can still experience a full acoustic tone with the Zildjian L80, which produces a smoother sound than traditional cymbals estimated at 70 to 80 %. It made to the top of our recommendation list since it allows you to play for long without damaging your ears. Music teachers, students, beginners, and experienced drummers find them quite useful since noise is reduced to manageable low levels, thereby preventing ear damage and fatigue.
Nothing will stop you from having a fun-filled drumming experience whether you live in an apartment, dorm, studio room, or any other noise-sensitive environment. They are a perfect fit for your drums to drastically reduce the volume and give you a full musical session. They are superior quality made from premium metal alloy and are ideal in delivering a natural feel. Play your drum with style with the Zildjian L80 since they are elegant with a matte finish that gives them a sophisticated appeal.
Getting ready for the last minute performance and learning new drumming concepts is much more comfortable with Zildjian L80 since they blend well in drumheads with low volume to deliver a perfectly pitched sound. For the price, these options have a manufacturer’s warranty that gives you confidence as you shop.
2. WHD Low Volume
The WHD which plays quietly while still allowing you to experience the same audio feel of a high quality crash cymbal. It is a fusion of functionality, elegance, and sophistication since it features a nickel finish that gives it a classy look.
It is quite noticeable with a perforated top surface and a measurement of 16 inches. It is quite useful to both beginners and experienced users willing to practice at home and the studio. If you want to have the same feel at home without disturbing your neighbors, this pack here fits the perfect description of a robust and noiseless piece of equipment.
You can never go wrong by picking the WHD Low Volume since it’s a low-cost cymbal when you compare to the Zildjian L80 but will nevertheless give you value for your money. If you are low on budget or just starting, this is a deal breaker and is 100% money back guarantee. You can buy as a pack or as an individual pick, and it is every drummer pick whether you are playing rock, jazz metal or indie.
3. Sabian QTPC501
At a glance, it resembles the classic cymbals; however, the most notable features are the many holes feature on its surface. These give you a quieter playing session necessary for home practice or any place that needs some silence. It is quite sturdy, hard as a rock and made from a high quality metal alloy, that guarantees durability.
It will still look as good as new even after years of use since it has a perfect finish that protects it from rusting and tarnishing. You don’t have to hit hard when playing since it has a unique design that produces a soft tone, unlike the regular cymbals.
It is made for low resonance sessions with tones perfectly balanced. Some cymbals produce dull and muffled sounds when hit; however, with the Sabian, it remains relaxed while keeping the sound levels quite low without affecting the quality.
You will appreciate the reduced sonic during your practice sessions, and it is portable; therefore, you can play anywhere without worrying about noise and disturbance.
4. Zildjian L80 with Remo Silentstroke Drumheads
If you are looking for something quiet that will give you the genuine cymbal feel, we would highly recommend the Zildjian L80. It takes the trophy for creating low volume and smooth sound. It is a good pick if you are looking to play some drum in a serene environment. It is 70 to 80 % quieter than the traditional cymbals, yet it produces the same level of superior tones and sounds.
It gives you a real experience and allows you to have a long lasting play. It is gentle and prevents ear damage and fatigue. If you are doing some rehearsals at home or in a quiet place, it is a perfect choice. You can also stay up late at night and have a fun-filled silent drumming session.
It is quite flexible and made from high quality alloy that allows you to play with a mallet, stick, or brush. Furthermore, it is suitable for any skill level, whether you are a beginner, a student, a professional drummer, or a music teacher.
5. Bosphorus Cymbals MV20R
If it looks like it, sounds like it and gives you the same experience, then it’s a cymbal. The Bosphorus Cymbals MV20R is a classic definition of a cymbal only difference is that it’s quieter than the traditional types.
It is handmade, compact, and elegant with a vintage appeal. It creates a warm, thick, and low pitched volume that settles down in a woody slap of its body to give a relaxed feel.
Go back in time with the Bosphorus which resembles the old early 20th-century shallow belled cymbals that generally released dark undertones in relaxed tempos.
It is perfect for small spaces such as apartments, dorms, and tiny studios where there are restrictions on noise levels. If you want an excellent jazz ride, grab this piece for a warm crash. For the price, this is a deal of a lifetime, worth every penny and that which will bring back your money for sure.
6. Paiste Formula 602
Drummers have had a problem trying to lower the volume of their cymbals, especially when practicing and doing smaller gigs. For the sake of sensitive neighbors, it’s imperative to be mindful and keep the noise at acceptable levels. In your household, you may want some extended practice sessions which may run late after everyone has slept. It sounds pretty good if you can play quietly. The Paiste Formula 602 will serve your needs perfectly than most other options available on the market today.
This state-of-the-art piece of equipment is quieter than the traditional cymbals and provide the same acoustic and deep tones that will blend through various mixes. It is quite phenomenal and premium product made from high quality alloy formulation.
It has a perfect finish that makes have a stylish with a modern appeal. It will blend perfectly with your drum set. It is not only environmentally friendly but also protects your eardrum from damage. It is arena-worthy and a favorite if you want to experience an outstanding musical performance.
7. Dream Vintage VBCRRI22
Coming in at the bottom of our recommendation is the Dream Vintage VBCRRI22. If you have been searching for the ideal cymbal, you couldn’t be happier once you lay eyes on this deal. You will fall in love with the antique wash to its sound. It has a sleek design and feels amazingly great to crash on.
This cymbal will innovate your tones since it produces quiet sounds and ideal for use at home and the studio for practice. It is dark with a variety of overtones.
When it comes to durability, the Dream vintage will last and last. It is made from high quality aluminum alloy free from denting and tarnishing. If you are a beginner, you do not have to break into a bank to buy this piece of equipment. It is a low-cost alternative, much cheaper and will nevertheless give you the same experience as the classical types. It is a good value for the money that will provide you with rich, deep, and quiet sounds.
How to choose the best quiet cymbals for apartment practice
Cymbals play a crucial role in shaping the output sound of a drum kit and are as vital as the drums themselves. A well tuned premium drum kit can sound awful with a poor selection of cymbals. Once you’ve bought a cymbal, there is very little that you can do to manipulate sound. Therefore it’s important to choose cymbals for quiet practice wisely. Below are some of the factors that you should consider when shopping for quiet cymbals.
Low volume cymbal sizes
Each cymbal on the market is specifically designed for a given role. They are also available in different sizes with each giving out the particular sound. Below is a guide to respective sizes.
- Hi-hats- they are two cymbals of the same sizes played together. The bottom hi-hat is often heavier and thicker than the top. Common ones are available from 13-15 inches in diameter.
- Ride- it is the most important ones for jazz music. The size ranges from 19-24 inches in diameter.
- Crash cymbals are often largely used for accents. Sizes range from 14-20inches
- China- they come in both crash and splash sizes with a curved bow.
- Splash cymbals similarly resemble crash cymbals and range from 6-12 inches.
A basic quiet cymbal set mainly consists of a pair of hi-hats, a ride, one crash. After you’ve mastered everything, you may wish to advance with more splashes, crashes, or china cymbals.
Budgeting
Cymbals come at different prices. You can get some good quality ones for cheap, around 250-300 USD. You can also get some expensive ones at around 500-600dollars. So it’s always important to decide on the amount you are willing to spend and stick to the budget.
If you’re tight on a budget, I would recommend you to go for a cymbal pack. Some so many manufacturers offer entry levels cymbals packs at fair prices. If money isn’t a problem, go for quality ones. It might feel like a huge investment, but it will save you cash in the long run. Spending less on low quality cymbals will cost you more in the long run.
Brands
The market is flooded with a variety of cymbals sold at different prices. Unfortunately, some brands don’t meet the cut and sell to its customers low quality cymbals. Here are the top brands that I would recommend to anyone, beginner or a pro.
- Sabian
- Zildjian
- Istanbul Agop
- Paiste
- Bosphorous
Zildjian and Sabian are available anywhere in the world. These are two brands any pro drummer would endorse. Bosphorous and Istanbul are less known but still offer quality cymbals at competitive prices.
What’s the right noiseless cymbals pack for you?
There’s no precise answer to this question. However, the budget and the music you play should be the primary consideration. In the end, your ears are the deciding factors. The cymbals you pick should complement your musical tastes and match with the rest of your drum kit.
Metal or hard rock drummers probably will want different cymbals arrays than those in jazz bands. A good starting point is confirming cymbal setup of your favorite drummers. This will give you important clues on what works and what doesn’t. Once you have identified the right quiet cymbal type and size, you can proceed to buy the models that match your budget. Just like with most things, you get what you pay for with cymbals.
Quiet cymbals: final thoughts
As we have seen, having a muffled or quiet cymbals will keep volumes quite low and allow you to experience the same feeling like a traditional one. But what makes a good cymbal? Notably, the quality of the material matters a lot. All the options discussed here are made from a quite sturdy alloy metal.
Perfect finishing with matte is necessary for durability and to ensure it does not rust or corrode. Perforated cymbals with special coating have proved to be better alternatives since they absorb the sound and allow you to experience a quiet drumming performance. As a last resort, you can soundproof your music room
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