Paiste has several Signature lines, including the Dark Energy. The cymbal reviewed here is the 22" Dark Energy Mark II Ride. Sometimes consumers may think that the word "Dark" means that not only the wash will have intense low frequencies, but also that the ping does not have intense high frequencies. That is not always true. Although the low frequencies are always there in a dark cymbal, the ping can be bright, which is the case with this cymbal.

Tags: Cymbal Reviews | Paiste | Ride Cymbals | Spectral Analysis

The Paiste Twenty line has been around for some time, and about a year ago, they introduced the Masters Series in the Twenty line. They are B20 alloy, and are some of the most musical cymbals I have ever tested.

Tags: Cymbal Reviews | Paiste | Ride Cymbals | Spectral Analysis

INDEX TO PEARL DRUM REVIEWS

Tags: Pearl | Snare Drums

One of Pearl's most popular series of snare drums is called "Free-Floating", meaning that the batter and snare hoops are attached to each other with the lugs, but the lugs are not attached to the shell. This increases resonance, giving more body to the sound. The model reviewed here is 3.5" x 14", also known as the "Piccolo". It has a tight "Pop" to the sound, making it ideal for rock, but also, it is extremely sensitive due to the lack of suppression that attached lugs would cause. So, it can be used for jazz as well, with very nice results.

Tags: Pearl | Snare Drums

Paiste's Giant Beat series consists of a 24", 18", and 20" "Multi-functional", and 14" and 15" Hi-Hats. They have a very distinctive sound that one might call "Retro Rock", as the ping is crisp. The 18", 20", and 24" are labeled as "Multi-functional" because they can be used as rides or crashes. Here, we review the 24" version, which is essentially a ride cymbal.

Tags: Cymbal Reviews | Paiste | Ride Cymbals | Spectral Analysis

INDEX TO TAMA DRUM REVIEWS

Tags: Drum Reviews | Snare Drums | Spectral Analysis | TAMA