Your Hihats: Blend in or stand out?

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I like hats that blend in - that sit "inside". I usually like the snare and kick to be louder than the hihat. Sometimes a chunky 8th note vibe is the right call, then I'll lean on 'em a little more - I can always bring the volume/intensity up if the music needs it.
 
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RyanR said:
How 'bout hats that blend, with the potential to stand out? :rolleyes:

-Ryan
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My thoughts exactly!! I have designated sets of "rock" and "jazz" cymbals. They both "cut" in the sense that they can be heard in their respective environments, but they also "blend" within the context of each other. The frequency range of my Sound Formula hats compliment the crashes & ride, but I wouldn't drop the SF heavy hi-hats with two Bosphorus 22" thin rides. They'd be waaaaaaay over the top. Incidentally, the SF hats (like many Paistes) are far more responsive than their heavy weight suggests so their ability to blend or cut depends on the player. I like having options. ;-)
 
Recently bought a set of 14" Zildjian A Mastersounds that absolutely cut through the mix (Even the guitar players in our band went `Whoa' when I started playing them. Had been using my vintage Paiste 2002's which I think sound more musical but got somewhat lost in the wall of guitars (Can't decide whether to sell or keep em' for the other drummers in my family (Son & daughter).
 
Had the same issue with a 14" set of Zildjian A Mastersound hats, overpowering... Sounded great in the shop, but overpowered everything on my kit except the bass drum. Sold them a few months ago and picked up a 13" set Of K's sweeeeeet sound. I like hats that blend.
 
I've been recording my bands rehearsals with a Zoom H4.

I've been using the same 13" K/Z hats at the rehearsal space since I started recording, recently I brought my oldest 14" New Beats and found that they stand out too much in the mix.

I then tried my 14' A Custom Mastersound hats and found them to be a little above the rest of the mix which I was OK with.

It got me wondering if that's the way the audience would perceive them too. I guess it's a matter of taste but I like to have them blend with the other cymbals.

Scott
 
My 14" go-to top is an old 30s Zildjian. It is a fairly thick cymbal that is hammered, hand made. So its weight provides cutting power when needed but its build give it great sizzle (it is on top of a 60s 14" medium). It is a very musical sound. I want the cymbal to sound good with the other instruments (blend) but certainly I don't want it to get lost in the mix! When I play the hats I want them to be heard. Otherwise I wouldn't play them. The context of the music is tantamount. There's a difference between "standing out" and "cutting" or "projecting" and "standing out like a sore thumb."

The approach is very important. There's no clear cut answer to this question.
 
i use 2 sets of hihats with my sets ,a warm 13 paiste stambul thin set and a 15 loud agressy heavy set of alphas(first run)
 
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