The 18 inch A custom crash has always been my favorite crash of all time. It works great for a main crash. I've started taking a liking to K's a lot more. Especially with the K custom dark and special dry crashes!!! Also the 20 inch K Cluster crash is a great cymbal. I have that in my cymbal arsenal as well as other A's and K's!!!!!!
Im the same way - my introduction to pro level cymbals were A customs. As I got older I started liking the darker K sounds, too. I only heard the k clusters in person when they were released at NAMM, so couldn’t really hear them. How are they? Are they in-between regular k’s and the custom special dry?
I use a zildjian dark ride and hi hats with a long time a custom 18inch crash. I added the 16inch cluster crash and am not disappointed. For live gigs they really sound good for rolls and the sound carries/cuts with some atmosphere is how I’d describe vs traditional hammering. Much fuller but still bright
I have a 16 a custom brilliant crash,16 k cluster crash, 17 k dark crash from 1985 and a 19 k sweet crash.last but not least a 19 a custom crash.dont use all the crashes at the same time but they all blend together great.I mix certain ones together,allways works!great job on your collection Nick! I especialy love your 18 a custom crash! Peace brother.
That’s a great collection! Always good to have variety so you can mix and match depending on the gig like you said. Many thanks for the kind words, and checking out the vid!
Hey I really appreciate this vid! Upgrading a lot of my gear right now and was a little overwhelmed. Quickly discovering I really like the darker sounding crashes
Great video sir! A great, educational, informative breakdown of the history of Zildjian A and K and the evolution since. I’ve come back to Zildjian crashes, hi hats and rides with the Sweet Ks and S family lines. So good! Just got the 18 trash crash S line yesterday!
Many thanks, Billy! Glad this provided insight on some different sounds that Z offers. The K sweets and S series are great sounds. K sweet give you a little bit brighter than a typical dark K, and the S series are the ideal shimmery cymbal.
Ive had a good amount of A customs. But slowly moving to K's. i got K hybrid, ride and hats. That K sweet, is sounding really sweet. Gonna have to get me some. ;) And even the K custom special dry crash sounds crisp.
You and me both - started out with Z customs, the same sweet ride and A custom master sound hats I still have today. Switched to all A customs, then slowly to K. The K dark thin crashes are my favorites at the moment - sound great both live and recorded. How are the K hybrids - is the ride heavy?
That's awesome! With all the sub-lines I definitely hear some similarities. I think the 19 A Medium Thin sounds very close to the 19 K dark thin. What's your go to setup?
I have: 17" A Custom 17" K Dark Medium Thin 16" A Medium Thin 18" K Dark Thin After hearing the 19" cymbals..I'm wanting either: 19" K Sweet 19" K Dark Thin 19" K Paper Thin
That's a great setup you have there! Do you set them all up at once, or mix and match? Although any of the 19"s would work, I love the K dark thin line. Sound beautiful in the studio, and still cut in a live setting. I still haven't played the paper thin's in person, though I'd love to try them out - I've heard great things!
@@NickCostaMusic Usually all set up together. I've been trying different combos when only using 2 at a time. Combos have been 17" A Custom and 18" Dark K Thin 17" A Custom and 16 A Medium Thin 17" K Medium Thin and 16" A Medium Thin 17" K Medium Thin and 18" K Thin
Love the 20" A Custom - it's got a beautiful blend of attack and sustain that cuts but isn't too harsh. I've always been a fan of 20" crashes - I really like the 20 K Dark Thin too. In my opinion it records better than the A custom since it doesn't cut as much. You're the 2nd person to mention the A series. I haven't looked into them since every drum teacher early in my journey had them - they were always super thick and not a sound for me. What size A should I check out?
@@garridoentertainmenttv9615 I'd have to check out the 18 medium thin, but that was the cymbal my ears gravitated towards listening on Zildjian's website.
@@garridoentertainmenttv9615 The 18" A Medium caught my ear on zildjians website. I'll have to see if I can find them at a store to check out in person. Thanks!
This only tells part of the story. I'm a jazz drummer and I play my crash cymbal in many different ways with the tips of my sticks as well as my brushes.
I started using Zildjian "A"'s back in the 60's and tried, thick and thin, large and small, in several brands over the decades. I've finally settled in on Zildjian K Custom Dark ride, crash and hi hats for soft acoustic, small venues. For the larger ones, I use Bosphorus Traditional ride, Zildjian K Dark Thin crash and Zildjian A thin (vintage) hi hats which are really versatile. In all cases, the rides are 20", crashes are 18" and the hi hats are 14".@@NickCostaMusic
@@NickCostaMusic I’m a fan of the K Sweets. It was great to hear them compared to some of the Darks, as I’m adding a crash and thought that might be a nice change. But in the end, I got another Sweet. I think they’re my soul mates.🤩
@@Msdivadev Awesome - great to hear that the K sweets catch your ear the most! K dark thin crashes do the same thing for me. What size K sweet crashes do you have?
@@NickCostaMusic I have a 17” and 19” and a 21” Sweet Ride. Things have changed a lot since I played in the early 70’s. So much more to choose from now. I took drumming back up just this year, after 47 years of not playing, so I’ve had a lot to catch up on.
@@Msdivadev That's a great setup! Couldn't agree more - there are a lot of options for drummers now, although good to hear you're picking up the sticks! Have fun, and enjoy the journey
I have a 19” K Dark Thin Crash, 17” Dark Thin Crash, 11” Custom Hybrid Splash and 22 K Light Ride. Would the 16” or 18” K EFX be a better fit to what I already have? I just subscribed!
It really comes down to what your ear prefers. Me personally, I would go for the 18” since it will be a little lower in pitch. Check out Zildjian’s website and listen to the 2 sizes - that should help you hear the difference side by side. Appreciate the sub and support! 🙏🏼 🥁
18" K Custom fast crash (brilliant) is my favorite! I also have a 19" but its a prototype, they don't officially make it any bigger than 18". They're perfect for me! And a 20" A Custom EFX crash when I want a pinch of China in my crash. You have a great drum sound BTW!
Nice! Have you compared the brilliant finish to traditional to see if it changes the sound? Appreciate the kind words, and Thank you for checking out the vid!
@@NickCostaMusic , no. That's why I'm here, lol. But I definitely wanna try that K dark thin crash you played. I think it would sound beautiful with my set up.
@@HermesTrismegistes369 The k dark thins are my favorite to record. They sit beautifully in a mix, and aren't as direct as A customs. If you're using K brilliants, they'll be a great addition!
Hey, great video. From those you have shown here I have an 18" A Custom and a 19" K Dark Thin. Mine are a slightly lower in pitch than yours, maybe it's the recording, I don't know. Also have a 17" A Custom Projection, a bit smaller but great when you need fast and bright accents, and a 20" K Custom Dark crash that is quick and a bit dry for a 20", but not as much as the Special Dry's, wich are too dry for me (I may like them as an occassional effect, but not as a regular crash). All of them are great cymbals anyway, and have their use. My next purchase, crash-wise, will most likely be a 20" K Dark Thin crash, just after a 23" K Sweet ride that I'm in love with... they'll have to wait, though, it ain't the best moment to spend some money now... 🤷🏻♂️
Appreciate the kind words! That is very likely that your cymbals won't sound identical to mine. Some companies that stamp their cymbals (paiste, some meinl) so they will sound identical. Other companies (Zildjian, Sabian) cast their higher end cymbals, so you could have identical cymbals that sound different. Weight, alloy composition, hammering can all be different and change the tone. Comparing the tones, do you prefer yours with a lower pitch, or the ones from the recording with a higher pitch?
@@NickCostaMusic I'd say I prefer mine, a bit lower (not much anyway) since I also have the 17" A Custom and also a 16" AA thin Sabian, that are higher, so with them I can cover a nice spectrum... but in fact, I like them both. As we say in Spain: "culo veo, culo quiero" (ass I see, ass I want).
Sounds like you have a great spectrum of cymbals, Isi. Definitely have something for all style types. I’m a big fan of the k dark thin crashes I have - great tone, pitch, and record beautifully. The 20” is pretty great! HA! What a rad saying - guess that can go for drums too?!
@@NickCostaMusic yes, those K Dark Thin sound gorgeous, and as I said, whenever the situation allows me, I want one of those 20". Your other cymbals ain't bad either, it's a nice collection. And yes, that can go for drums too, and for any other thing in life. It's often applied to someone who can't make a firm decision and is always changing his mind, but when I used it before I was meaning that I liked them all (some a bit more, some a bit less).
I guess im asking randomly but does someone know a method to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow lost my password. I love any assistance you can give me
@Arturo Davis Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm trying it out now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
Nick, have you had a chance to try out the recent k paper thin crashes? They come in 18,19,20,21 an22 size crashes.I recently tried out 18 an 20 paper thin crashes.they sounded fairly brite,crispy with some nice dark under tones.sustain was still full sounding but not at all short like a fast crash.awesom but to expensive for me nick.Check them out brother.
I played the prototypes at PASIC and they sounded fantastic (as fantastic as they can sound in a room with a constant drum rumble). I'm looking into getting a few - maybe the 18 and 21". I'm a huge fan of the k dark thin crashes so it would be nice to compare them!
Keep looking, one will come up at some point. Philly Drum and Percussion has both a 20 and 22" with demos of the actual cymbal for sale. They can ship too! www.phillydrum.com/products/cymbals-zildjian-20-oriental-crash-of-doom
@@NickCostaMusic thanks! but i’m gonna wait til a find a used one for a bit cheaper i’ve seen some go for like 200-250 but at the time i didn’t know much about this cymbal. i appreciate your help though.
@@horsejumperoflove I haven’t noticed any used Crash Of Doom cymbals since the pandemic started. If I wanted one I would buy one right now brand new. Not to mention with a cymbal that thin you want a fresh one. Find a 36 or 48 month 0% interest deal at one of the major retailers.
Fantastic video, and it's all Zildjian cymbals! Which ones would you recommend for a more punk style? Currently I have a 16" K sweet, 19" Avedis, and 21" A sweet ride for my main cymbals. I'm thinking about trading in my 19" Avedis for an 18" A custom or 18" K cluster... what are your thoughts? Thanks!
Appreciate the the kind words! Really it all depends on the sound you're going for - If you want brighter, I'd recommend A custom. If you want darker, go with K. Any pop-punk I play is usually A customs all around with a 21 A Sweet ride. They always cut through and fit the sound beautifully. The 18" or 20" A Custom would be a great option! As for sound, are you looking for something brighter or darker in tone?
@@NickCostaMusic Definitely a little brighter since my hats are a little darker and my sweet ride seems a little darker than most. I'm thinking I'm gonna go with an 18" A custom, thanks for the response!
@@DunsonDrums 18" is A Custom great choice! If the 18" is too bright/harsh for you, check out the 20" A Custom. Appreciate you checking out the vids and having a civil convo here on social media. Love this type of interaction!
The K Custom Session Crash sounds amazing - I never really considered that one but now I might have to. Still, the 19" K Dark Thin Crash is my favorite crash cymbal. Have you ever tried the normal A series crashes? I prefer those to the A Customs most of the time.
Yeah it’s got a nice sound. Not too dark or bright, with a solid sustain. A lot of my drum teachers when I started out had A series, and they always had a bright/thick sound. Maybe because they had 16” crashes and 20” rides? I’ll have to look into them again and see if I think they still sound the same. What size A series do you recommend?
@@NickCostaMusic I have the 19" and 20" Medium Thin Crashes and those two are amazing in my opinion. A little more cut than the A Customs, but not harsh or stiff under the stick. The A series was reworked a few years ago, the new ones are thinner and less harsh than the previous models.
@@andreaskuchle5468 Sweet - being too heavy/thick was the main set back. I'll have to look into the thins. If they're a little brighter than the k dark thins, I think I'll like em. Thanks for the insight!
@@NickCostaMusic An 18” A Medium Thin would be a good place to start if you thought the A series was too heavy in the past. Don’t forget the K Custom Hybrid series. Those lean closer to the brighter side but they’re amazing cymbals! Also the 20” K Custom Hybrid Ride can be used as a crash cymbal. The 14” K Custom Hybrid Hihats are my favorites.
The EQ is strictly to reduce the harsh frequencies from the microphones I use . That sound is what you hear in the room. Love the k dark thins - they have a decent projection, but not as harsh as brighter cymbals. Beautiful decay and a nice tone
Of course! If you wanted something similar, a 17 K Dark thin, 17 K Dark PAPER thin. If you wanted something dark but a bit brighter, 17 K sweet. If you wanted a bit more direct, I'd size up to an 18 K Dark Special Dry. All by @zildjiancompany , of course.
@NickCostaMusic I have the 18" and 19". Fantastic crashes 🔥🤟🏻 There's 3 variations on A customs: The classic A custom, Projection (Little more brighter and heavier) and the Medium (The brightest and the heaviest.... very similar to the A heavy series, but A heavy have metallic sound to it) The A customs are bright and clear but very musical and clean.
@@NickCostaMusic I actually like the A series better than the A Custom series. I have those and a couple from the Avedis series. I didn’t really like them together at first but the sound has grown on me. Quite the contrast in sounds.
Interesting - because I feel the same way about K compared to K Custom. A custom do project, and I feel you have to hit them a bit harder to really open them up. What A series crashes do you have?
@@NickCostaMusic I have Mastersound hi hats - 16 inch A medium crash- 20 inch A ping ride- 15 inch Avedis thin crash - 18 inch Avedis rock crash - and 10 inch K splash.
i really wanna buy the sweet kit, i am so unsure what to choose, i am one of those drummers that meet up to a gig with people asking why i dont have cymbals, so really need something nice. i love the sound of the sweet cymbals, they are just so warm and nice.
That's a good choice, but keep in mind there are additional options. Ask yourself what sound are you going for - if the K sweets give you that sound, then go for it! If you want something brighter go A or A custom, and if you want darker try K or K custom. Start out with getting a decent ride and set of hats, then build your setup from there - a lot of great options in the used market for reasonable prices!
All good - couldn’t agree more about how amazing this Ludwig Classic Maple kit sounds. Tom’s have Remo clear ambassadors on the bottom and white suede emperors on the top.
@@NickCostaMusic is there a lot of difference between the 18 and 20 special dry? I currently bought the k special dry box set and I’m curious about the 20 in special dry crash I also own the 19 in crash of doom an love the mellow washy ride sound but… there’s no bell!! To ride bell 😔
@@myaliasmakaveli1 I personally believe the 20" has a better decay. I feel in a live setting the 18" is straight attack, which can make me want to hit it harder than I should.
I Personally love the K thins - they're so blended they work both live and recorded. I prefer them more because they're definitely the greatest cymbals I have for recording!
All depends on the sound you’re looking for. If you want something similar, maybe a larger cymbal like a 19 or 20 k dark thin crash. If you want something contrary, maybe with a bright/short decay - something like a 16 or 17 K sweet crash. What type of sound would you prefer out of the crash?
Just got a 19" K Custom Hybrid crash and after a couple days living with, it I'm not liking it. I was going to use as a crash/ride above the hats, and it's "gongy" or "plungy" or something. After watching this, I think the 20" Kerope or a K Custom Session Crash is my move. Thoughts?
Going from more direct to washy, In my opinion it would be K Custom Hybrid, K Custom Session, then Kerope. Kerope's were originally marketed as a ride, but because they are very washy, they're now identified as a crash ride. If you're playing gigs that need a more mellow sounding attack with a long decay - definitely go kerope. If you want something that has more attack but not as harsh as the K Custom Hybrid, then go with the K Custom Session.
It really depends on the sound you’re going for. Do you want something brighter or darker? Also, do you prefer a cleaner sound vs something with a bit of trash to it?
Bigger the cymbal the better the k's got. A custom 18 sounded great but 20 inch did not sound good to my ears at all. 20 inch k dark sounded phenomenal.
Interesting! We both can agree the larger the cymbal gets the darker the sound can become, so I can see why a darker line like the Ks might sound more appeasing in larger sizes. Do you have a preference on darker vs brighter cymbal sounds?
Nick (and others), I need help. Want to buy two crash cymbals for a super-talented friend who can't afford them. He currently has older 18" Avedis Medium Thin Crash and 16" K Dark Crash Medium Thin. Both badly cracked. Plays with a metal band, a classic rock band, a Satriani/Hendrix/Santana-style instrumental guitarist. Like a wide variety of popular music. What's a good crash combo?
That really depends on the sounds they're going for, and that could drastically vary what would work. It sounds as if they're playing in situations where they need cymbals that not only cut through the mix, but would need to be a little more on the brighter side. I personally would recommend either A Custom or K Custom. A Customs are brighter, will easily cut through, and still fit the sound of everything they do. K Custom would be similar but slightly darker in sound. 17" and 18" or even 18" 19" or 20" would work just fine. Finally, keep an eye out for used cymbals on resale sites or the used section of the big box music stores. You can find some in decent shape for much cheaper than brand new. Hope this helps!
It’s a great cymbal - I got this one at least 10 years ago. Not sure what it weighs, though. Not looking to sell it. Appreciate you checking out the video!
Hello, Thanks for your video. I think your drums and your hi-hat sound great. Can you give me the references of your drums, as well as your snare drum and the cymbals of your hi-hat? Thanking you in advance, Dominica
Thanks! The kit is a Ludwig Classic Maple, snare is an 8x14 Black Beauty, and Hi-Hats are Zildjian 15” K Light Hats. All cymbals in this video are outlined in the video description - which ones did you like the most?
@@NickCostaMusic Hello Nick, Thank you for your quick reply. Regarding cymbals, I have a preference for the Zildjian: K Dark Thin Crash 20 ", and K Custom Session Crash 18", I also really like the A Custom Crash 20 ", and A Custom Crash 18". Personally, I watched your video because I hesitate to buy Zildjian or Paiste? I will see. Thank you anyway and happy New Year's Eve. Cordially, Dominica
@@Ronan-oq7nu That’s a great selection from the vid - nice blend of bright and dark! I personally have always played zildjian, and always got cymbals that sounded the way I expected them to.
Doesnt that special K dry crash sound like an ozone, i have an cheap 16" ozone custom crash/ride drilled, and they have the same explosive ring to them. Like it, a bit trashy sounding. You cant beat the 20 inch K dark crash, and that crash of doom creation!
I haven't heard the ozone's in person to compare them, but I can agree both have a drier sound. The K Dark Thin crashes are my favorites - such a well versatile cymbal both live and recorded. The crash of doom is pretty special too - works great as a ride in some situations, as well!
@@NickCostaMusic after watching your video i am more into A custom. Right now i played Meinl Byzance Jazz Crash and Dual Crash, i love their dry sound and the aesthetic of the cymbals!
@@bijikedelai Nice! A customs are fantastic if you're looking for a brighter sound that projects. Great contrast to the darker/dryer sound you're using now.
![Which Cymbals RECORD Better? [Zildjian A's vs K's]](/img/n.gif)
I love this guy, why does he not have more subscribers?
Appreciate it - make sure you hit that subscribe button and bell notification so you're notified when new content gets uploaded.
I am subscribed now, if I wasn't before. Thank you so much, your videos are amazing!
The 18 inch A custom crash has always been my favorite crash of all time. It works great for a main crash. I've started taking a liking to K's a lot more. Especially with the K custom dark and special dry crashes!!! Also the 20 inch K Cluster crash is a great cymbal. I have that in my cymbal arsenal as well as other A's and K's!!!!!!
Im the same way - my introduction to pro level cymbals were A customs. As I got older I started liking the darker K sounds, too.
I only heard the k clusters in person when they were released at NAMM, so couldn’t really hear them. How are they? Are they in-between regular k’s and the custom special dry?
I use a zildjian dark ride and hi hats with a long time a custom 18inch crash. I added the 16inch cluster crash and am not disappointed. For live gigs they really sound good for rolls and the sound carries/cuts with some atmosphere is how I’d describe vs traditional hammering. Much fuller but still bright
18 inch zildjian A thin is a great sounding cymbal. I have it mixed with my K's and K customs .
Nice! I almost grabbed one for Zildjian’s Black Friday deal, but wasn’t quick enough. What size K and K customs do you have to blend with it?
I have a 16 a custom brilliant crash,16 k cluster crash, 17 k dark crash from 1985 and a 19 k sweet crash.last but not least a 19 a custom crash.dont use all the crashes at the same time but they all blend together great.I mix certain ones together,allways works!great job on your collection Nick! I especialy love your 18 a custom crash! Peace brother.
That’s a great collection! Always good to have variety so you can mix and match depending on the gig like you said.
Many thanks for the kind words, and checking out the vid!
The 18” A Customs are where it’s at. Been rockin’ em for years. Durable as hell.
20” A Custom Crash 👏👍💪
It's one of my favorites too! Not super bright with a great sustain. the 20" K dark thin is a close 2nd
Wish i had one. My 16, 18" are pretty decent. Shops buy me have little to nothing.
Hey I really appreciate this vid! Upgrading a lot of my gear right now and was a little overwhelmed. Quickly discovering I really like the darker sounding crashes
I recorded various b20 crashes (but I have had hundreds) and I can say the Amedia vintage are the best ever.
Sounds like you found your sound - nice!
Great video sir! A great, educational, informative breakdown of the history of Zildjian A and K and the evolution since. I’ve come back to Zildjian crashes, hi hats and rides with the Sweet Ks and S family lines. So good! Just got the 18 trash crash S line yesterday!
Many thanks, Billy! Glad this provided insight on some different sounds that Z offers. The K sweets and S series are great sounds. K sweet give you a little bit brighter than a typical dark K, and the S series are the ideal shimmery cymbal.
My favorite crash combinations in this video are the 20" K custom Special Dry crash and the 20" Kerope ride!
That’s a great combo. Both dark, but contrasting sustains that match up beautifully!
Thanks for the video, a very good help for the main and most popular Zildjian lines. Subscribing now from Sweden 🇸🇪.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Appreciate you tuning in and subscribing
Ive had a good amount of A customs. But slowly moving to K's. i got K hybrid, ride and hats. That K sweet, is sounding really sweet. Gonna have to get me some. ;) And even the K custom special dry crash sounds crisp.
You and me both - started out with Z customs, the same sweet ride and A custom master sound hats I still have today. Switched to all A customs, then slowly to K. The K dark thin crashes are my favorites at the moment - sound great both live and recorded.
How are the K hybrids - is the ride heavy?
I’m borrowing a friends 20” sweet crash and it’s great
I’m a Paiste guy forever. I kinda like my 21” A Zildjian Sweet Ride, but it doesn’t cut when playing rock. For that I need my Paistes.
Great cymbal comparison! Very informative and helpful.
Appreciate the kind words! Any cymbal in particular catch your ear?
Love the sound of both 19"
Me too (it's my favorite cymbal size)
I happen to have A Custom crashes even sizes and K Dark Thin crashes in odd sizes. It was interesting to me that the 20" of both sound identical.
That's awesome! With all the sub-lines I definitely hear some similarities. I think the 19 A Medium Thin sounds very close to the 19 K dark thin.
What's your go to setup?
I'm a 2002 guy, but I do like the dark thin K series.
They're my favorite crashes - easy to record, sound great live, and overall a great tone
Loved the efx
It’s a dope cymbal, makes a great bottom for a stacker too!
20 inch A custom, and the 20 K dark thin❤️
Those are my go to crashes! A if I want bright, K if I want darker and more versatility (can hit it a little softer and still have it wake up)
I have:
17" A Custom
17" K Dark Medium Thin
16" A Medium Thin
18" K Dark Thin
After hearing the 19" cymbals..I'm wanting either:
19" K Sweet
19" K Dark Thin
19" K Paper Thin
That's a great setup you have there! Do you set them all up at once, or mix and match?
Although any of the 19"s would work, I love the K dark thin line. Sound beautiful in the studio, and still cut in a live setting. I still haven't played the paper thin's in person, though I'd love to try them out - I've heard great things!
@@NickCostaMusic Usually all set up together. I've been trying different combos when only using 2 at a time.
Combos have been
17" A Custom and 18" Dark K Thin
17" A Custom and 16 A Medium Thin
17" K Medium Thin and 16" A Medium Thin
17" K Medium Thin and 18" K Thin
great video !! A custom 20' is a beast!!! Great for big places . The A custom crashes mixed with the A medium thin crashes are great !!
Love the 20" A Custom - it's got a beautiful blend of attack and sustain that cuts but isn't too harsh. I've always been a fan of 20" crashes - I really like the 20 K Dark Thin too. In my opinion it records better than the A custom since it doesn't cut as much.
You're the 2nd person to mention the A series. I haven't looked into them since every drum teacher early in my journey had them - they were always super thick and not a sound for me. What size A should I check out?
@@NickCostaMusic Hey nick what do you think about
This mix for a powerful cutting loud cymbals:
A zildjian medium thin crash 18'
A custom.19'
@@NickCostaMusic check out the 18' A medium thin crash and the 19' A medium thin crash.
I like them.
Let me know
@@garridoentertainmenttv9615 I'd have to check out the 18 medium thin, but that was the cymbal my ears gravitated towards listening on Zildjian's website.
@@garridoentertainmenttv9615 The 18" A Medium caught my ear on zildjians website. I'll have to see if I can find them at a store to check out in person. Thanks!
A's Medium Thin Crashes (18,19,20) That is my current crashes.
AWESOME JOB!!! Thank you!!!
This only tells part of the story. I'm a jazz drummer and I play my crash cymbal in many different ways with the tips of my sticks as well as my brushes.
Nice! What are some of your preferred cymbals to use?
I started using Zildjian "A"'s back in the 60's and tried, thick and thin, large and small, in several brands over the decades. I've finally settled in on Zildjian K Custom Dark ride, crash and hi hats for soft acoustic, small venues. For the larger ones, I use Bosphorus Traditional ride, Zildjian K Dark Thin crash and Zildjian A thin (vintage) hi hats which are really versatile. In all cases, the rides are 20", crashes are 18" and the hi hats are 14".@@NickCostaMusic
id take the EFX as left crash and special dark on right combo
That's a great setup! I'll have to give that a shot
That oriental crash of Doom... wow
It's a saucy little thing, isn't it? So glad to see they're making a resurgence! What did you like the most about it?
Zildjian K Custom Special Dry! And K Dark
Both are great sounds! What in particular made them your favorites?
This is incredibly helpful, thank you!
You're welcome! Were there any crashes that caught your ear?
@@NickCostaMusic I’m a fan of the K Sweets. It was great to hear them compared to some of the Darks, as I’m adding a crash and thought that might be a nice change. But in the end, I got another Sweet. I think they’re my soul mates.🤩
@@Msdivadev Awesome - great to hear that the K sweets catch your ear the most! K dark thin crashes do the same thing for me. What size K sweet crashes do you have?
@@NickCostaMusic I have a 17” and 19” and a 21” Sweet Ride. Things have changed a lot since I played in the early 70’s. So much more to choose from now. I took drumming back up just this year, after 47 years of not playing, so I’ve had a lot to catch up on.
@@Msdivadev That's a great setup! Couldn't agree more - there are a lot of options for drummers now, although good to hear you're picking up the sticks! Have fun, and enjoy the journey
what do you think the better crash to match with my 17 k sweet crash?
I have a 19” K Dark Thin Crash, 17” Dark Thin Crash, 11” Custom Hybrid Splash and 22 K Light Ride. Would the 16” or 18” K EFX be a better fit to what I already have? I just subscribed!
It really comes down to what your ear prefers. Me personally, I would go for the 18” since it will be a little lower in pitch.
Check out Zildjian’s website and listen to the 2 sizes - that should help you hear the difference side by side. Appreciate the sub and support! 🙏🏼 🥁
18" K Custom fast crash (brilliant) is my favorite! I also have a 19" but its a prototype, they don't officially make it any bigger than 18". They're perfect for me! And a 20" A Custom EFX crash when I want a pinch of China in my crash. You have a great drum sound BTW!
Nice! Have you compared the brilliant finish to traditional to see if it changes the sound?
Appreciate the kind words, and Thank you for checking out the vid!
@@NickCostaMusic , no. That's why I'm here, lol. But I definitely wanna try that K dark thin crash you played. I think it would sound beautiful with my set up.
@@HermesTrismegistes369 The k dark thins are my favorite to record. They sit beautifully in a mix, and aren't as direct as A customs. If you're using K brilliants, they'll be a great addition!
Hey, great video. From those you have shown here I have an 18" A Custom and a 19" K Dark Thin. Mine are a slightly lower in pitch than yours, maybe it's the recording, I don't know.
Also have a 17" A Custom Projection, a bit smaller but great when you need fast and bright accents, and a 20" K Custom Dark crash that is quick and a bit dry for a 20", but not as much as the Special Dry's, wich are too dry for me (I may like them as an occassional effect, but not as a regular crash).
All of them are great cymbals anyway, and have their use. My next purchase, crash-wise, will most likely be a 20" K Dark Thin crash, just after a 23" K Sweet ride that I'm in love with... they'll have to wait, though, it ain't the best moment to spend some money now... 🤷🏻♂️
Appreciate the kind words! That is very likely that your cymbals won't sound identical to mine. Some companies that stamp their cymbals (paiste, some meinl) so they will sound identical. Other companies (Zildjian, Sabian) cast their higher end cymbals, so you could have identical cymbals that sound different. Weight, alloy composition, hammering can all be different and change the tone.
Comparing the tones, do you prefer yours with a lower pitch, or the ones from the recording with a higher pitch?
@@NickCostaMusic I'd say I prefer mine, a bit lower (not much anyway) since I also have the 17" A Custom and also a 16" AA thin Sabian, that are higher, so with them I can cover a nice spectrum... but in fact, I like them both. As we say in Spain: "culo veo, culo quiero" (ass I see, ass I want).
Sounds like you have a great spectrum of cymbals, Isi. Definitely have something for all style types.
I’m a big fan of the k dark thin crashes I have - great tone, pitch, and record beautifully. The 20” is pretty great!
HA! What a rad saying - guess that can go for drums too?!
@@NickCostaMusic yes, those K Dark Thin sound gorgeous, and as I said, whenever the situation allows me, I want one of those 20". Your other cymbals ain't bad either, it's a nice collection.
And yes, that can go for drums too, and for any other thing in life. It's often applied to someone who can't make a firm decision and is always changing his mind, but when I used it before I was meaning that I liked them all (some a bit more, some a bit less).
@@isihernandez9752 Very cool. Appreciate the convo - if you ever have questions on cymbals feel free to give a shout!
Definitely the crash of doom!
Beautiful sound!
Trashy.
Dark
Great as a ride to!
Crash of doom is rad! I’ve had this one for about 15 years now. I agree with you, super versatile!
I guess im asking randomly but does someone know a method to get back into an Instagram account?
I somehow lost my password. I love any assistance you can give me
@Bowen Reed instablaster =)
@Arturo Davis Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm trying it out now.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Arturo Davis it worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thank you so much you really help me out !
Very helpful video. Thank you sir 🙏
You're very welcome! Which cymbal fit your sound?
Nick, have you had a chance to try out the recent k paper thin crashes? They come in 18,19,20,21 an22 size crashes.I recently tried out 18 an 20 paper thin crashes.they sounded fairly brite,crispy with some nice dark under tones.sustain was still full sounding but not at all short like a fast crash.awesom but to expensive for me nick.Check them out brother.
I played the prototypes at PASIC and they sounded fantastic (as fantastic as they can sound in a room with a constant drum rumble). I'm looking into getting a few - maybe the 18 and 21". I'm a huge fan of the k dark thin crashes so it would be nice to compare them!
THANKS!
No problem, George! Which crash(es) did you prefer?
love the sound of the crash of doom, but i can’t find a deal anywhere. good demos!
Keep looking, one will come up at some point. Philly Drum and Percussion has both a 20 and 22" with demos of the actual cymbal for sale. They can ship too! www.phillydrum.com/products/cymbals-zildjian-20-oriental-crash-of-doom
@@NickCostaMusic thanks! but i’m gonna wait til a find a used one for a bit cheaper i’ve seen some go for like 200-250 but at the time i didn’t know much about this cymbal. i appreciate your help though.
@@horsejumperoflove Anytime! I'm sure one will pop up soon.
@@horsejumperoflove I haven’t noticed any used Crash Of Doom cymbals since the pandemic started. If I wanted one I would buy one right now brand new. Not to mention with a cymbal that thin you want a fresh one. Find a 36 or 48 month 0% interest deal at one of the major retailers.
Fantastic video, and it's all Zildjian cymbals! Which ones would you recommend for a more punk style? Currently I have a 16" K sweet, 19" Avedis, and 21" A sweet ride for my main cymbals. I'm thinking about trading in my 19" Avedis for an 18" A custom or 18" K cluster... what are your thoughts? Thanks!
Appreciate the the kind words! Really it all depends on the sound you're going for - If you want brighter, I'd recommend A custom. If you want darker, go with K. Any pop-punk I play is usually A customs all around with a 21 A Sweet ride. They always cut through and fit the sound beautifully. The 18" or 20" A Custom would be a great option!
As for sound, are you looking for something brighter or darker in tone?
@@NickCostaMusic Definitely a little brighter since my hats are a little darker and my sweet ride seems a little darker than most. I'm thinking I'm gonna go with an 18" A custom, thanks for the response!
@@DunsonDrums 18" is A Custom great choice! If the 18" is too bright/harsh for you, check out the 20" A Custom.
Appreciate you checking out the vids and having a civil convo here on social media. Love this type of interaction!
The K Custom Session Crash sounds amazing - I never really considered that one but now I might have to. Still, the 19" K Dark Thin Crash is my favorite crash cymbal.
Have you ever tried the normal A series crashes? I prefer those to the A Customs most of the time.
Yeah it’s got a nice sound. Not too dark or bright, with a solid sustain.
A lot of my drum teachers when I started out had A series, and they always had a bright/thick sound. Maybe because they had 16” crashes and 20” rides? I’ll have to look into them again and see if I think they still sound the same.
What size A series do you recommend?
@@NickCostaMusic I have the 19" and 20" Medium Thin Crashes and those two are amazing in my opinion. A little more cut than the A Customs, but not harsh or stiff under the stick. The A series was reworked a few years ago, the new ones are thinner and less harsh than the previous models.
@@andreaskuchle5468 Sweet - being too heavy/thick was the main set back. I'll have to look into the thins. If they're a little brighter than the k dark thins, I think I'll like em. Thanks for the insight!
@@NickCostaMusic An 18” A Medium Thin would be a good place to start if you thought the A series was too heavy in the past. Don’t forget the K Custom Hybrid series. Those lean closer to the brighter side but they’re amazing cymbals! Also the 20” K Custom Hybrid Ride can be used as a crash cymbal. The 14” K Custom Hybrid Hihats are my favorites.
20 inch beast. I see how it's for large venues or out doors. One would not be smart with 20 inch crashes inside a trailer sized bedroom
I love 20" crashes, and truly feel you should practice with what you'll play with. Appreciate ya checking out the vid!
I would love to hear raw sound, no EQ...btw. owe K18'' sweet and K17'' dark thin...looking for 19'' or 20''
The EQ is strictly to reduce the harsh frequencies from the microphones I use . That sound is what you hear in the room.
Love the k dark thins - they have a decent projection, but not as harsh as brighter cymbals. Beautiful decay and a nice tone
Could you suggest a 17" crash which can go along with the 19" K Dark Thin shown in the video?
Of course! If you wanted something similar, a 17 K Dark thin, 17 K Dark PAPER thin. If you wanted something dark but a bit brighter, 17 K sweet. If you wanted a bit more direct, I'd size up to an 18 K Dark Special Dry. All by @zildjiancompany , of course.
A custom crashes are the best 🥁🤟🎼
Super bright, and cut through anything! Do you have a preferred size?
@NickCostaMusic I have the 18" and 19". Fantastic crashes 🔥🤟🏻
There's 3 variations on A customs: The classic A custom, Projection (Little more brighter and heavier) and the Medium (The brightest and the heaviest.... very similar to the A heavy series, but A heavy have metallic sound to it) The A customs are bright and clear but very musical and clean.
Is this the straight sound of the cymbals? Or was there eqing afterwards?
Minor EQ-ing to get rid of some harsh frequencies from the mics
18 inch A Custom had the best tone imo.
It's a nice one! I currently have that setup on my kit for an upcoming musical - clean tone with beautiful projection.
@@NickCostaMusic I actually like the A series better than the A Custom series. I have those and a couple from the Avedis series. I didn’t really like them together at first but the sound has grown on me. Quite the contrast in sounds.
Interesting - because I feel the same way about K compared to K Custom. A custom do project, and I feel you have to hit them a bit harder to really open them up. What A series crashes do you have?
@@NickCostaMusic I have Mastersound hi hats - 16 inch A medium crash- 20 inch A ping ride- 15 inch Avedis thin crash - 18 inch Avedis rock crash - and 10 inch K splash.
@@jamescharles1588 That's a killer lineup!
i really wanna buy the sweet kit, i am so unsure what to choose, i am one of those drummers that meet up to a gig with people asking why i dont have cymbals, so really need something nice. i love the sound of the sweet cymbals, they are just so warm and nice.
That's a good choice, but keep in mind there are additional options. Ask yourself what sound are you going for - if the K sweets give you that sound, then go for it! If you want something brighter go A or A custom, and if you want darker try K or K custom. Start out with getting a decent ride and set of hats, then build your setup from there - a lot of great options in the used market for reasonable prices!
Ik this is out of the vid, but what resonant head do you use? Sounds amazing and punchy!
All good - couldn’t agree more about how amazing this Ludwig Classic Maple kit sounds. Tom’s have Remo clear ambassadors on the bottom and white suede emperors on the top.
K custom special dry!!!
Nice! I really like the 20" special dry because it's got a slightly longer decay. Still quick, though.
Thanks for checking out the video!
@@NickCostaMusic is there a lot of difference between the 18 and 20 special dry? I currently bought the k special dry box set and I’m curious about the 20 in special dry crash
I also own the 19 in crash of doom an love the mellow washy ride sound but… there’s no bell!! To ride bell 😔
@@myaliasmakaveli1 I personally believe the 20" has a better decay. I feel in a live setting the 18" is straight attack, which can make me want to hit it harder than I should.
K Custom Session & A Custom
Both great choices. What size A Custom did you like the most?
Torn between k sweet and k thin. Both sound great! What did you like better?
I Personally love the K thins - they're so blended they work both live and recorded. I prefer them more because they're definitely the greatest cymbals I have for recording!
Could you suggest a suitable crash for 20” K Con Med Thin Low Ride?
All depends on the sound you’re looking for. If you want something similar, maybe a larger cymbal like a 19 or 20 k dark thin crash. If you want something contrary, maybe with a bright/short decay - something like a 16 or 17 K sweet crash. What type of sound would you prefer out of the crash?
Just got a 19" K Custom Hybrid crash and after a couple days living with, it I'm not liking it. I was going to use as a crash/ride above the hats, and it's "gongy" or "plungy" or something. After watching this, I think the 20" Kerope or a K Custom Session Crash is my move. Thoughts?
Going from more direct to washy, In my opinion it would be K Custom Hybrid, K Custom Session, then Kerope. Kerope's were originally marketed as a ride, but because they are very washy, they're now identified as a crash ride. If you're playing gigs that need a more mellow sounding attack with a long decay - definitely go kerope. If you want something that has more attack but not as harsh as the K Custom Hybrid, then go with the K Custom Session.
@@NickCostaMusic Appreciate the response and insight
@@jsspears Of course, and thank you for checking out the vid!
I'm a R&B drummer, what is the best crash symbol for that kind of music?
It really depends on the sound you’re going for. Do you want something brighter or darker? Also, do you prefer a cleaner sound vs something with a bit of trash to it?
R&B...I would think the K Sweets would be good, personally. I DO love my K Darks.
The A custom was my best
Nice! Did you like the 18", 20" or both?
It was the brightest
Bigger the cymbal the better the k's got. A custom 18 sounded great but 20 inch did not sound good to my ears at all. 20 inch k dark sounded phenomenal.
Interesting! We both can agree the larger the cymbal gets the darker the sound can become, so I can see why a darker line like the Ks might sound more appeasing in larger sizes. Do you have a preference on darker vs brighter cymbal sounds?
Thx a lot❤
You're welcome! Hope this helped you find a sound you prefer. Which one was your favorite?
Although the K fame, and using z3 for years...now i want the A customs.😂
I was the opposite - started out with A customs, and the older I got I shifted to K 😂
Nick (and others), I need help. Want to buy two crash cymbals for a super-talented friend who can't afford them. He currently has older 18" Avedis Medium Thin Crash and 16" K Dark Crash Medium Thin. Both badly cracked. Plays with a metal band, a classic rock band, a Satriani/Hendrix/Santana-style instrumental guitarist. Like a wide variety of popular music. What's a good crash combo?
That really depends on the sounds they're going for, and that could drastically vary what would work. It sounds as if they're playing in situations where they need cymbals that not only cut through the mix, but would need to be a little more on the brighter side. I personally would recommend either A Custom or K Custom. A Customs are brighter, will easily cut through, and still fit the sound of everything they do. K Custom would be similar but slightly darker in sound. 17" and 18" or even 18" 19" or 20" would work just fine. Finally, keep an eye out for used cymbals on resale sites or the used section of the big box music stores. You can find some in decent shape for much cheaper than brand new.
Hope this helps!
Anyone liked the 20” crash of doom? 😎
I did!
Wsp costa this is cool watching this
Appreciate it! Great way to hear a few cymbals. Which one did you like the most?
That crash of doom is beautiful, what dose it weigh?............would you sell it?
It’s a great cymbal - I got this one at least 10 years ago. Not sure what it weighs, though. Not looking to sell it.
Appreciate you checking out the video!
Which hi hat you use there?
They were a pair of 14" A Custom Mastersounds.
Appreciate you checking out the vid!
Hello,
Thanks for your video.
I think your drums and your hi-hat sound great.
Can you give me the references of your drums, as well as your snare drum and the cymbals of your hi-hat?
Thanking you in advance,
Dominica
Thanks! The kit is a Ludwig Classic Maple, snare is an 8x14 Black Beauty, and Hi-Hats are Zildjian 15” K Light Hats. All cymbals in this video are outlined in the video description - which ones did you like the most?
@@NickCostaMusic Hello Nick,
Thank you for your quick reply.
Regarding cymbals, I have a preference for the Zildjian: K Dark Thin Crash 20 ", and K Custom Session Crash 18", I also really like the A Custom Crash 20 ", and A Custom Crash 18".
Personally, I watched your video because I hesitate to buy Zildjian or Paiste?
I will see.
Thank you anyway and happy New Year's Eve.
Cordially,
Dominica
@@Ronan-oq7nu That’s a great selection from the vid - nice blend of bright and dark! I personally have always played zildjian, and always got cymbals that sounded the way I expected them to.
Anyone notice the first two cymbals sound almost the same ?! A custom and k session
They may sound close, but the K custom session definitely has a lower timbre than the A Custom.
Appreciate you checking out the vid!
Can you do china cymbals next?
I'd love to - just would need more than the 1 china I currently have, lol!
@@NickCostaMusic lol
This guy is amazing but why does he give that one guy from the minions movie in the green suit
Cost a lot of money to pay your way onto an animated movie 😉
Great sounding drums, they kind of stole the show away from the cymbals...hahaha
The beauty of Ludwig Classic Maple!
Doesnt that special K dry crash sound like an ozone, i have an cheap 16" ozone custom crash/ride drilled, and they have the same explosive ring to them. Like it, a bit trashy sounding. You cant beat the 20 inch K dark crash, and that crash of doom creation!
I haven't heard the ozone's in person to compare them, but I can agree both have a drier sound. The K Dark Thin crashes are my favorites - such a well versatile cymbal both live and recorded. The crash of doom is pretty special too - works great as a ride in some situations, as well!
@@NickCostaMusic Yes that crash of doom, always a treat! Thanks for response. Oh and now they even have a Mega Bell Crash of Doom.
Yeah - the mega doom ride from their concept shop! I reviewed one here - ua-cam.com/video/Ca2GtZnXpvw/v-deo.html
Unique sound for sure
a custom 16" 17" 18" 19" 20"
Nice - sounds like you like brighter crashes that can project well. Out of those 5 you ID'ed, do you prefer the smaller or larger diameters?
@@NickCostaMusic 16 17 18 is explosive cutting, 19 20 is killer tone enough to play Sweet child or mind cymbals groove 💗
i like larger diameter sounds
You and me both - although I noticed larger A customs I gotta hit em a bit harder to get them to really open up
00:50 i am a meinl guy but i would not be mind if someone gives me zildjian K or A custom cymbals 😁
Love both A and Ks - both have different sounds that work for various situations. What’s your preferred line of cymbals?
@@NickCostaMusic after watching your video i am more into A custom. Right now i played Meinl Byzance Jazz Crash and Dual Crash, i love their dry sound and the aesthetic of the cymbals!
@@bijikedelai Nice! A customs are fantastic if you're looking for a brighter sound that projects. Great contrast to the darker/dryer sound you're using now.
Ottimo video ....suoni eccezionali....ma quanto parla questo signore...
Io parlo. Apprezzo le belle parole e spero che ti sia piaciuto 🙏🏼
@@NickCostaMusic suoni dei crash eccezionali.....sono innamorato dell A custom
@@giusepperomano3392 A Custom sono stati i miei primi piatti professionali. Ama la loro chiarezza e proiezione
In Italia costano tantissimo mi manca un 19 k thin crash....devo fare un mutuo😂
custom crash
Which one? There were a few a customs and some k customs
چقدر ور ور کردی
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Timestamps in the description can help you get past the blablabla.
Appreciate you checking out the vid!