"Crash" without the "wash"

[logancircle]

Definitely tape different odd shit to it and see when/if you're getting the sound you like. I use 1 rubber band or duct tape or a playing card or 1 or 2 loops of string around the bell or a dress sock in different places, try it all out all over the cymbal. Don't buy new gear yet!

[PaulWells]

I've thought about this before when listening to recordings where the cymbals seem to sort of "dissappear" after the initial attack.
It seems this could be done using either a compressor or a gate.

Let me add my disclaimer that I have to date not owned or uses any compressors, but these will be my next purchase and I've been paying attention to allot of recordings trying to listen for differnt types of compression in the mix.

The rapid cymbal cut-off was something I noticed that just sounded like compression. Not what cymbals really sound like, but cool. Sort of sounded like somebody just turned the level down after a second or two.

If anybody uses this technique please elaborate.

Thx
Paul

[Dave Nutz]

if you are going to pick up some new cymbals, check out the Zildjian K Custom Dry Crashes....they have the shortest decay ive ever heard in a crash larger than 14"

you might also want to check out Paiste signature fast crashes, or sabian HHX studio crashes.

[Mark]

I was watching Jools Holland's Hootenanny show last night and the drummer from Franz Ferdinand was physically silencing his cymbals. IS that an option?

[theslumlord]

I didn't start this thread, but I must admit, this has been very helpful to me. I keep running into the same problems, and these suggestions are great.
thanks for sharing.

[SKEETER]

You might try recording the crash onto two channels, then EQing out the sounds that you want to supress on one channel, and add them back on the other channel with a gate on it, so that the "wash" gates out on the channel it is Eqed into the mix, before it has a chance to sustain too long.

[masterfader]

everyone seems to be forgetting the obvious problem. . .get the monkey with the sticks to stop hitting the cymbals so hard and so much. ever since dave grohl appeared, these idiots have traded closed hi-hats, rides, and the occasional crash for all crash--all the time. even more frustrating is trying to get angry-drummer-man to change his style in the studio. . .and it is impossible to convince them that drums and cymbals actually sound better the lighter and more consistent that one hits them. . .i'm not bitter.

[AGCurry]

I think Mark hit the best cost-effective way to reduce the wash. If you've ever seen a drummer schooled in old-time jazz and dixieland, they grab the cymbal after hitting it. I've seen this many times with splash and hi-hats. If your drummer can't do this, you could have an assistant standing by to do it for him/her.

[lancebug]

[/i]"Anyone ever notice how terrible the cymbals sound on "Sister Christian?"

No, and I never could listen to the whole song.

How can you slag Sister Christian? Did you never see Boogie Nights?

[lancebug]

sorry that last one was supposed to start with a quote.