Best cymbal mutes?

A

AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken

Silver Member
I posted a while back for advice about best drum mutes, and I ended up going with the Aquarian SuperPads. If you're interested, this was for two reasons: the fact that I don't like the feel of mesh, and the convenience of being able to drop it on and take it off so I can use the same snare for band practice.

So far they're fine. The bass drum one is really nice, with a pillow behind the kick it's very quiet and the response is good. The only issue is that the bass mute is so thick it effectively moves your beater 1" closer to the head, so you have to adjust a bit. No big deal.

Now I'm looking for cymbal mutes. I expect to get some of the L80s when they're available again, but even then I'll probably need mutes (apartment living is horrible). And right now I definitely need them.

There are lots of options out there, just wondering if people have preferences? It's not a difficult technology and many of the brands are similar so I'm mainly wondering about feel, and specifically wondering about the hi-hat. For example the Evans SoundOff has a different design. Does it work better than the other general approach of two pieces, a small strike surface for the top cymbal and a slab to go between the hats?

Thanks!
 
I've been using the Dead Beat mutes. The ride and crash ones are ok. The hi-hat mute pretty much eliminates any sound when closing the hi-hats, but to me it seems to effect the feel of them when you depress the hi-hat pedal, like there's an odd air vacuum or something. My next purchase is definitely going to be the Zildjian Low Volume cymbals.
 
The drum tee's look and sound good, but I'm guessing they'll tear through with regular practice and playing. The edge of your cymbals, when played regularly with a stick, will cut through the fabric, probably within a week or so.

Go to the fabric/crafts store and buy a few yards of 4-inch wide elastic (something like this). Make a lengthwise crease down the center of the elastic with your hands, and then stretch and wrap it around all your cymbals (except the bottom hi-hat cymbal). Cut the elastic to the appropriate length, and then staple the ends together.

Total cost = about $5 per cymbal, and they should hold up for 6 months to a year. The hi-hat and crash usually wear through first, but are so cheap to replace it's not a concern. The volume reduction on the cymbals is better than the drum tee's volume reduction, however, on the ride, you'll still be playing the top and/or bell of the cymbal, which is loud. Maybe buy just one drum tee for the ride (to be used in addition to the elastic fabric)?
 
Not true at all. Drumtees are very durable and long lasting. I appreciate feedback, but it's not really fair of you to make a statement about a product that you have never even seen or tried. What are your assumptions based on?
 
Not looking to join the Drumtee Wars, but it's not an option for me now because I'm using Cymbomutes. I'm sure the Drumtees are a fine product but I went with the Cymbomutes so I could still directly strike the cymbal surface.

However! At this very moment and for the next few months I need to use a rubber pad in addition to the edge mutes, apartment living is rough. Looks like Vater has a set, I think they're all the same basic material so that will probably do. Thanks!
 
those drum pads to place on toms can also be made cheaply. i get a yoga mat for $15 and cut out exact sizes 12 14 16 using drum heads
 
I recently got the L80s and you really don't need to mute them any further. They are pretty quiet and don't have much sustain. I really like them just for the feel of hitting a real cymbal vs one with a pad on it. Since there is no real ride cymbal, I do have one of those full rubber pads that fits over the whole cymbal for my ride that I'm still using.
 
elaine said:
Not true at all. Drumtees are very durable and long lasting. I appreciate feedback, but it's not really fair of you to make a statement about a product that you have never even seen or tried. What are your assumptions based on?
Click to expand...

Apologies!

But in the videos, the drums and cymbals ring out more than they do with the elastic fabric wraps. It follows that they must be thinner, and would wear out sooner. Maybe not as soon as a week, but the elastic wraps wear through after a few months of steady, daily bashing.
 
The fabric is over 10 oz., which is pretty heavy. It's not t-shirt material as the Drumtee name may mislead some to think. A LOT of fabric was tested in the development of the product. The right durability, sound and rebound were what we wanted, and found.

Thanks for the reply Brent. Apologies accepted.
 
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