What material is the Paiste Color Sound 900 Blue 18 China made from?

The cymbal is manufactured from 2002 bronze, which is a CuSn8 alloy. This material is known for its durability and its use in many of Paiste's professional cymbal lines.

How does the blue finish affect the sound of the cymbal?

The Color Sound coating acts as a slight dampener on the surface. This results in a drier tone, a more focused attack, and a slightly shorter sustain compared to standard cymbals.

What is the typical price for this cymbal?

The Paiste Color Sound 900 18 China Cymbal typically retails for approximately GBP 195. Prices may vary slightly based on the specific retailer and current market conditions.

Is this cymbal suitable for recording?

Yes, its focused attack and controlled sustain make it an excellent choice for studio recording sessions. The drier sound helps it sit well in a mix without overwhelming other frequencies.

How would you describe the 'trashy' sound of this China cymbal?

In cymbal terms, 'trashy' refers to a complex, white-noise-like wash that lacks a clear musical pitch. The Color Sound 900 China delivers this exotic wash with a dark and energetic character.

Does the blue coating wear off easily?

Paiste uses an extremely tough and durable coating process for the Color Sound series. While all cymbals show wear over time, this finish is designed to withstand regular playing without significant chipping or peeling.

What size is this specific China cymbal?

This specific model has a diameter of 18 inches. This is a standard size for China cymbals, providing a balance between volume, speed, and pitch.

Is the Paiste 900 series considered a professional line?

The 900 series is built from the same 2002 bronze used in professional lines, offering authentic playability and high-quality sound. It is positioned as a high-value series suitable for both professional and intermediate drummers.

How does the stick sound differ on this coated model?

The stick sound is described as 'exotic.' Because of the blue coating, the initial contact of the stick is more pronounced and focused rather than bleeding immediately into a long ring.

Can this cymbal be used for live performances?

Absolutely. Its energetic sound and the brightness of the 2002 bronze allow it to project well in live settings, while the blue finish adds a unique visual element to the drum kit.

How does this compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series?

The Paiste Color Sound 900 is generally more energetic and based on B8 bronze, whereas the Byzance Extra Dry is often darker and made from B20 bronze. The Paiste model will typically have more projection in loud settings.

What is the primary difference between the standard 900 China and the Color Sound 900 Blue China?

The primary differences are visual and acoustic. The Blue China features a unique finish that causes a drier sound and shorter sustain, whereas the standard 900 China has a more traditional, open resonance.

Gear article

Paiste Color Sound 900 Blue 18-inch China Cymbal

The Paiste Color Sound 900 Blue 18-inch China is an effects cymbal manufactured from 2002 bronze, featuring a distinctive blue coating that modifies the instrument's acoustic properties. It is designed to provide a dark, energetic response with a complex, trashy wash and a focused attack suitable for both live and studio environments.

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Background and History

Paiste first introduced the Color Sound series in the 1980s, exploring how visual aesthetics and surface coatings influence cymbal harmonics. The Color Sound 900 series is a contemporary iteration of this concept, based on the architecture of the standard 900 Series. By applying a translucent colour coating to the 2002 bronze base, Paiste offers a variant that provides both a unique visual identity and a specific set of tonal modifications compared to the natural bronze finish.

Technical Specifications and Construction

The cymbal is constructed from 2002 bronze, an alloy renowned for its durability and bright, cutting presence. The 18-inch China model features the traditional inverted-edge profile characteristic of the category. The 'Color Sound' element involves a thin, durable coating applied to the surface. This coating is not merely aesthetic; it acts as a subtle dampening agent that alters the vibration of the bronze, resulting in a slightly drier sound and a more controlled sustain.

Sound Character and Performance

The sound profile of the Color Sound 900 Blue 18-inch China is described as dark and energetic. The primary characteristics include:

Attack: A focused and immediate strike response due to the surface coating.
Wash: A complex, 'trashy' wash that is typical of high-quality China cymbals.
Decay: The sustain is slightly shorter than its non-coated counterparts, allowing for quicker rhythmic accents.
Feel: Despite the coating, the cymbal maintains an authentic playability and stick feel associated with the 900 series.

Suitability and Applications

Because it balances an exotic, trashy sound with a focused attack, this cymbal is versatile enough for multiple musical settings. In a live environment, the blue finish offers a striking visual presence while the 2002 bronze provides enough volume to cut through amplified instruments. In the studio, the slightly shorter sustain and drier character make it easier to control in the mix, reducing the need for external dampening or post-production processing.

Comparative Analysis

When compared to other effects cymbals, the Color Sound 900 18-inch China occupies a mid-to-pro tier niche. It differs significantly from ultra-dry options like the Meinl 19" Byzance Extra Dry Thin Crash, which lacks the brightness of the 2002 bronze. Unlike entry-level brass options like the Meinl HCS series, the 900 series uses professional-grade bronze alloys. While it shares some DNA with the Paiste Giant Beat series, the Color Sound's coating gives it a more specific, controlled frequency range than the wide-open resonance of a Giant Beat hi-hat or ride.

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Frequently asked questions

What material is the Paiste Color Sound 900 Blue 18 China made from?: The cymbal is manufactured from 2002 bronze, which is a CuSn8 alloy. This material is known for its durability and its use in many of Paiste's professional cymbal lines.
How does the blue finish affect the sound of the cymbal?: The Color Sound coating acts as a slight dampener on the surface. This results in a drier tone, a more focused attack, and a slightly shorter sustain compared to standard cymbals.
What is the typical price for this cymbal?: The Paiste Color Sound 900 18 China Cymbal typically retails for approximately GBP 195. Prices may vary slightly based on the specific retailer and current market conditions.
Is this cymbal suitable for recording?: Yes, its focused attack and controlled sustain make it an excellent choice for studio recording sessions. The drier sound helps it sit well in a mix without overwhelming other frequencies.
How would you describe the 'trashy' sound of this China cymbal?: In cymbal terms, 'trashy' refers to a complex, white-noise-like wash that lacks a clear musical pitch. The Color Sound 900 China delivers this exotic wash with a dark and energetic character.
Does the blue coating wear off easily?: Paiste uses an extremely tough and durable coating process for the Color Sound series. While all cymbals show wear over time, this finish is designed to withstand regular playing without significant chipping or peeling.
What size is this specific China cymbal?: This specific model has a diameter of 18 inches. This is a standard size for China cymbals, providing a balance between volume, speed, and pitch.
Is the Paiste 900 series considered a professional line?: The 900 series is built from the same 2002 bronze used in professional lines, offering authentic playability and high-quality sound. It is positioned as a high-value series suitable for both professional and intermediate drummers.
How does the stick sound differ on this coated model?: The stick sound is described as 'exotic.' Because of the blue coating, the initial contact of the stick is more pronounced and focused rather than bleeding immediately into a long ring.
Can this cymbal be used for live performances?: Absolutely. Its energetic sound and the brightness of the 2002 bronze allow it to project well in live settings, while the blue finish adds a unique visual element to the drum kit.
How does this compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry series?: The Paiste Color Sound 900 is generally more energetic and based on B8 bronze, whereas the Byzance Extra Dry is often darker and made from B20 bronze. The Paiste model will typically have more projection in loud settings.
What is the primary difference between the standard 900 China and the Color Sound 900 Blue China?: The primary differences are visual and acoustic. The Blue China features a unique finish that causes a drier sound and shorter sustain, whereas the standard 900 China has a more traditional, open resonance.