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

Zildjian has re-introduced the K. Zildjian Constantinople series of rides and crashes, described as being mellow, dry, dark, and warm. The 22" ride comes in two versions, the medium thin high and the medium thin low. We have already reviewed the high version, and now we cover the low version. The words high and low refer to the tonal balance, not the shape of the bell or curvature. They both have a nostalgia "K" sound that so many drummers, particularly jazz drummers, are looking for.

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

Dream Cymbals are manufactured in China, being totally hammered and lathed by hand, directly from the cast bronze disc, rather than put through rollers to flatten them before hammering. The results are cymbals that have a very strong wash that sustains. The current review covers their 24" Bliss Half Cup Ride Cymbal. This basically means the bell is about half the size it normally would be. This gives the cymbal a strong ping, and just enough wash to make it interesting.

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