What is the weight of the Sabian 18" Stratus Dry Crash?

The cymbal is categorised as extra-thin. This weight ensures a very fast response and allows the cymbal to be activated with minimal physical effort.

What kind of sustain does this cymbal have?

It features an extremely short sustain. The sound is designed to be tight and focused, decaying quickly to prevent the wash from cluttering the mix.

How does the hammering affect the sound?

The cymbal undergoes deep hammering. This process creates a darker, lower-pitched voice and adds a textured attack to the cymbal's response.

Is the Sabian 18" Stratus Dry Crash suitable for loud rock music?

While it can cut through a mix, it is designed for controlled accents rather than overpowering volume. Its dry character and quick decay are best suited for contemporary styles requiring precision.

What is the typical price range for this model?

The Sabian 18" Stratus Dry Crash typically retails for approximately £355. This places it in the professional tier of Sabian's cymbal offerings.

Does this cymbal have a 'trashy' sound?

Yes, it is described as having a trash-accented character. This adds definition and personality to the attack without becoming overly aggressive or abrasive.

What drummers would benefit most from this cymbal?

It suits drummers who need fast, controlled accent crashes in modern or busy setups. It is ideal for players who prefer darker, drier tones and clean articulation.

How does it compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Thin Crash?

Both cymbals share dark and dry characteristics. The Sabian Stratus Dry Crash is specifically designed for quick, sharp accents and immediate response due to its extra-thin profile.

Can this cymbal be used in a dry cymbal configuration?

Absolutely, it is specifically mentioned as being useful in dry cymbal configurations. Its short sustain helps maintain the tight, articulate sound required for such setups.

What pitch does the 18" Stratus Dry Crash produce?

It produces a lower-pitched voice. The deep hammering and extra-thin weight work together to keep the frequency response dark rather than bright.

Is this cymbal responsive to light playing?

Yes, because of its extra-thin weight, it provides an immediate response with very little effort. This makes it highly sensitive to different playing dynamics.

How does the sustain compare to a Paiste Giant Beat Hi-Hat?

While both are professional cymbals, they serve different roles; the Stratus Dry Crash is designed for a specifically short, dry decay, whereas Giant Beat components generally offer a more classic, shimmering resonance.

Gear article

Sabian 18" Stratus Dry Crash

The Sabian 18" Stratus Dry Crash is an extra-thin cymbal designed for drummers requiring fast, controlled accent crashes within modern setups. It is characterised by its immediate response, dark low-pitched voice, and extremely short sustain, making it ideal for busy or dry acoustic environments.

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Introduction and Design

The Sabian 18" Stratus Dry Crash is a specialised cymbal engineered to meet the demands of contemporary drumming, where precision and speed are paramount. As part of the Stratus range, this crash is defined by its extra-thin weight, which facilitates an immediate response even with light strokes. The manufacturing process involves deep hammering, a technique that shapes the cymbal's physical profile to produce a lower-pitched, darker sonic character.

Sound Characteristics

The primary sonic feature of the 18" Stratus Dry Crash is its controlled sustain. It is designed to decay rapidly, keeping the sound tight and focused. The deep hammering provides a textured attack that is sharp enough to cut through a musical mix without the wash or volume becoming overpowering. It possesses a 'trash-accented' character, adding a unique personality and definition to accents without the harshness often associated with more aggressive effect cymbals.

Performance and Utility

Because of its extra-thin construction, the cymbal requires very little effort to open up, making it highly effective for quick, sharp accents. This makes it particularly useful in dry cymbal configurations where clean articulation is valued over long, shimmering resonance. The lower-pitched voice ensures that it blends well into modern kits, providing a dark contrast to higher-pitched elements like hats or splashes.

Market Comparison

Within the landscape of dry and dark cymbals, the Sabian Stratus Dry Crash competes with other thin, hand-hammered models. Notable alternatives include the Meinl 19" Byzance Extra Dry Thin Crash and the Istanbul Agop 19" Lenny White Epoch Crash, both of which share similar dark and dry qualities. While some drummers might look towards entry-level kits like the Gear4Music 5pc Low Volume pack for practice, the Stratus Dry Crash is a professional-grade instrument intended for recording and performance where specific tonal textures are required.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the weight of the Sabian 18" Stratus Dry Crash?: The cymbal is categorised as extra-thin. This weight ensures a very fast response and allows the cymbal to be activated with minimal physical effort.
What kind of sustain does this cymbal have?: It features an extremely short sustain. The sound is designed to be tight and focused, decaying quickly to prevent the wash from cluttering the mix.
How does the hammering affect the sound?: The cymbal undergoes deep hammering. This process creates a darker, lower-pitched voice and adds a textured attack to the cymbal's response.
Is the Sabian 18" Stratus Dry Crash suitable for loud rock music?: While it can cut through a mix, it is designed for controlled accents rather than overpowering volume. Its dry character and quick decay are best suited for contemporary styles requiring precision.
What is the typical price range for this model?: The Sabian 18" Stratus Dry Crash typically retails for approximately £355. This places it in the professional tier of Sabian's cymbal offerings.
Does this cymbal have a 'trashy' sound?: Yes, it is described as having a trash-accented character. This adds definition and personality to the attack without becoming overly aggressive or abrasive.
What drummers would benefit most from this cymbal?: It suits drummers who need fast, controlled accent crashes in modern or busy setups. It is ideal for players who prefer darker, drier tones and clean articulation.
How does it compare to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Thin Crash?: Both cymbals share dark and dry characteristics. The Sabian Stratus Dry Crash is specifically designed for quick, sharp accents and immediate response due to its extra-thin profile.
Can this cymbal be used in a dry cymbal configuration?: Absolutely, it is specifically mentioned as being useful in dry cymbal configurations. Its short sustain helps maintain the tight, articulate sound required for such setups.
What pitch does the 18" Stratus Dry Crash produce?: It produces a lower-pitched voice. The deep hammering and extra-thin weight work together to keep the frequency response dark rather than bright.
Is this cymbal responsive to light playing?: Yes, because of its extra-thin weight, it provides an immediate response with very little effort. This makes it highly sensitive to different playing dynamics.
How does the sustain compare to a Paiste Giant Beat Hi-Hat?: While both are professional cymbals, they serve different roles; the Stratus Dry Crash is designed for a specifically short, dry decay, whereas Giant Beat components generally offer a more classic, shimmering resonance.