Wanting to give Paiste cymbals a try. Where should I start?

[yammyfan]

So, my early impressions are VERY positive. I'm loving the 18" medium crash already. It's "rock" pedigree is clear.

The 20" light ride is nice as a crash too. I've never played anything bigger than an 18" before so finding its place in my setup will take a bit of time.

The cymbals themselves are well made and feel good in the hand. They sound much more sophisticated than I thought they would. Really, they sound like you would expect typical rock/pop cymbals to sound. That's a good thing.

I also like medium cymbals much more than I expected. I tend to play cymbals a little too loudly but because the mediums take a bit more energy to excite, they take some of the edge off of my playing. Also a good thing I appreciate the higher pitches too. I mistakenly assumed that thinner generally meant higher pitched.

Can't wait to get the rest of the set this week. I'm waiting for the Hi Hats, the Ride and another crash to arrive. I'll add the 19" crash, 10" splash and 18" china next week, if I can.

 

[jdavis]

Paiste have a comparison video on youtube that'll give you a general idea of how the different lines sound. It doesn't include the newer lines like PST 7 or Big Beats but it's still pretty good:

FWIW, I loaded the audio into a DAW to help me better compare them. If it helps anyone, I'll share the session file here.

All you need is a copy of the session folder and download a copy of Reaper (which is free to demo indefinitely): https://www.reaper.fm

All the loops are split up onto their own tracks so simply click the "solo" button on any of the tracks and compare away. Enjoy!

 

[theseer2]

Those videos are entertaining but the sound is too compressed to really hear the differences.

 

[jdavis]

Those videos are entertaining but the sound is too compressed to really hear the differences.

Yes, that video is definitely compressed... but, so is virtually ALL recorded popular music these days.

Compression or not, you can clearly hear the differences in the video if you listen.

 

[theseer2]

Yes, that video is definitely compressed... but, so is virtually ALL recorded popular music these days.

Compression or not, you can clearly hear the differences in the video if you listen.

True, there's a newer video on YT with some older dude that includes the PST 7's and less compression.

Paistes site has great samples that truely represents the sound of their cymbals, amazing how consistent their stuff is and captured so well.

Btw, I just picked up a 22" Big Beat 2002 for $100 off the going price. Cant wait for it to arrive!

 

[jdavis]

True, there's a newer video on YT with some older dude that includes the PST 7's and less compression.

Cool, I'd love to hear that too. I'm a sucker for comparison videos, LOL!

The thing that I found by watching a lot of these videos is they reinforce my preference for Giant Beats. To me, GB's sound like the best parts of the 2002 and 602 lines. What I wasn't expecting was how much I liked the Signature, Dark Energy and the even the old Alphas.

Paistes site has great samples that truely represents the sound of their cymbals, amazing how consistent their stuff is and captured so well.

Btw, I just picked up a 22" Big Beat 2002 for $100 off the going price. Cant wait for it to arrive!

Sweet! Please let us know how you like it when it arrives.

 

[yammyfan]

Yup, I like the PST7's. The medium hats and ride are a nice surprise. The shop let me trade the 16" crash for a 17" at no extra charge. The 17" and 18" are pretty similar in timbre but different enough to be distinctive.

The real test will be when I hear them on a recording which I will after tomorrow night's gig. I think they're going to be fine.

I've ordered the 19" crash, the 10" splash and 18" China already. That should give me plenty of options!

I know myself and I'm going to want the pro grade Paiste's sooner than later. Better start saving now

 

[jdavis]

I know myself and I'm going to want the pro grade Paiste's sooner than later. Better start saving now

You can say that again! I'm in the same boat, LOL

 

[Bonzo_CR]

Out of the Paiste lines I love the Big Beats, and the 602's best

 

[Jeff Almeyda]

The Signature Full Crash Line is the cymbal crash sound I hear in my head. The perfect balance of power and shimmer. They are also a favorite of many producers. I have the 17",18" and 20".

Whatever you do, don't go for thick crashes. They suck.

 

[Destroyer772]

I'm currently using 15in 602 ME hats, 17in Sig Fast, 19in full, 20in 602 thin, and a 22in Sig full Ride and they have been my favorite combo I've ever played. I would love to try out the Giant and Big Beat line someday.

 

[braincramp]

2002’s I prefer the Thin crashes and standard ride

 

[kevinmac]

My likes are 602’s, 602 modern essentials, Signature Traditional, Master series

 

[GetAgrippa]

I was getting bad Paiste GAS but finally got happy with my Zildjian's again-till the Hi Hat comparison and those Dark Energy hats appeared. Now the "Dark" side of the force is echoing Paiste, Paiste, Paiste............

 

[jdavis]

I was getting bad Paiste GAS but finally got happy with my Zildjian's again-till the Hi Hat comparison and those Dark Energy hats appeared. Now the "Dark" side of the force is echoing Paiste, Paiste, Paiste............

Hahaha, I hear that too.

 

[yammyfan]

I was getting bad Paiste GAS but finally got happy with my Zildjian's again-till the Hi Hat comparison and those Dark Energy hats appeared. Now the "Dark" side of the force is echoing Paiste, Paiste, Paiste............

Yup. I detoured a bit and picked up a nice big Zildjian crash recently to more or less "finish" that collection before moving on to Paiste's good stuff.

 

[yammyfan]

Grabbed three more PST7's today: the 19" medium Crash plus the 18" China and 10" Splash. That gives me four decent size crashes (17,18,19 and 20") plus the ride and two effects cymbals to play with. That should cover just about every situation I find myself in.

My ears are still acclimatizing to the PST7s though I definitely like them. They're not quite as rich and complex as my Zildjian K's when played in isolation but when played live with a band, they're great. I keep reading that they're difficult to distinguish from 2002's in live situations so I'll take that as a good sign, having never played 2002's myself. I also hear that they're a bit quieter than the 2002's which is fine by me. I'm a rank amateur who plays smaller stages so my bandmates won't mind a bit

 

[Ruok]

The PST 7 thins/light sound pretty dog gone good for jazz/big band in this video. The original cymbals on the recording can still be heard, so I don't know if that makes the 7's sound "better"?

 

[yammyfan]

I decided to put them ALL up for giggles today. I never play with this many cymbals though having done so I can understand why you would want to.

Also, I noticed something interesting. I put the 17 and 18 inch together on one side and the 19 and 20 inch together on the other side. One those occasions where I would hit say, the 17 inch then go back to it moments later, I struck the 18 inch instead and got a very similar but slightly different tone on that second hit. It was a really neat effect and it worked for the 19 and 20 inch too. It was more musical, essentially. I think I'm going to stick with that for a while.

Anyway, I'm really liking these Paistes. If their midrange stuff sounds this good I can only imagine how good the top of the line stuff sounds.

 

[theseer2]

I decided to put them ALL up for giggles today. I never play with this many cymbals though having done so I can understand why you would want to.

Also, I noticed something interesting. I put the 17 and 18 inch together on one side and the 19 and 20 inch together on the other side. One those occasions where I would hit say, the 17 inch then go back to it moments later, I struck the 18 inch instead and got a very similar but slightly different tone on that second hit. It was a really neat effect and it worked for the 19 and 20 inch too. It was more musical, essentially. I think I'm going to stick with that for a while.

Anyway, I'm really liking these Paistes. If their midrange stuff sounds this good I can only imagine how good the top of the line stuff sounds.

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Do a search for Paiste pst 7 19" vs Giant Beat 18" on youtube, you'll be surprised how good the Pst 7's are !

And they look beautiful, like the rest of your set.