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cymbals where full-hit testing showed only a 2-3db difference, but another when levels approach 7-10db and this is where the CYs were far quieter than any other cymbal, except the Yamaha. Rebound and bounce were surprisingly varied, with the CY-14 being very different from the rest. Since the CY-5 and CY-8 are not all-rubber cymbals, that was to be expected but both in controlled hits and simply bouncing two sticks rapidly by hand, we could note the difference between the CY-14 and the rest.
Yamaha The PCY-155 was tested as a ride and crash since it can easily be used as both. Since it’s also a three-zone cymbal regardless of usage, it provided a good test of edge, bow and bell. And overall, it was the quietest cymbal. Yes, at two-foot distances under controlled hits on the bow, the Visulite is quieter, but at full hits, the PCY was on par with both the Visulite and the Rolands. However, its bell was consistently the quietest by a good amount of any of the tested cymbals; it always seemed to be 2-3db less than the rest at full hits. And like the Rolands, the tone generated was a dull thud, which meant any other cymbal (except the Rolands) was easily heard over the Yamaha when they were struck simultaneously. Rebound and bounce were similar to the CY-12, although when actually playing and not doing controlled hits, it felt every bit as bouncy as a CY-14 or the Harts. Again, the swing and play of the cymbal could be a factor in this.
Conclusions So, how important is stick noise? Like all things in e-drumming, the ultimate answer is “it depends”. It’s simply one factor in many that goes into evaluating what gear to get. That said, clearly not all cymbals are created equal in terms of stick noise. Thus, if you’re in a place that demands the quietest e-kit you can put together, you will need to take the testing data into account. Or, pound on an acoustic cymbal, then any e-cymbal, and ask your sensitive neighbours which they’d prefer. It’s doubtful, however, that a sleeping two-year-old would care about the difference.
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