The 7 Best Electronic Cymbals (2024) (Beginner and Pro Options)
If you’re looking for some new electronic cymbals to add to your set, then I’ve got some great options to suit all budgets. On this list, you’ll find a bit of everything from beginner to pro options that will suit all sets.
Electronic cymbals are usually compatible with drum modules from other brands. However, if you’re buying a high-end cymbal with multiple zones then it’s recommended to get a cymbal that’s the same brand as your electronic drum set.
My top recommended electronic cymbal is the Roland CY-14C V-Cymbal. This is a 14″ high-quality dual trigger electronic crash cymbal.
My second recommended electronic cymbal is the Pintech TC16 Cymbal. This is an affordable 16″ cymbal option with decent quality.
Contents
The 7 Best Electronic Cymbals (2024)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Roland CY-14C V-Cymbal
This is a pro Roland crash cymbal measured at 14 inches. It has dual-triggering which gives you a lot more depth in your playing. It has a great response and allows for choking of the cymbals. It’s compatible with all SD and SPD series modules, which means that it works with both electronic drum sets, as well as electronic drum pads.
The Roland CY-14C V-Cymbal is really high-quality. If you’ve got the budget for a great electronic crash cymbal to add to your set then this is one of the top options.
2. Pintech TC16 Cymbal
If you’re a beginner or just looking for a cheap and reliable solution for your cymbals, Pintech TC16 is a thing you should take a closer look at. This low-budget cymbal is 16” wide and is made out of sturdy polyester, meaning that it will take on all the beating you can give it and survive to go on the road easily.
Apart from that, it’s designed to keep the sound when playing to a minimum, so whether you’re looking to stop annoying your neighbors with loud noises, this item has you covered. It has a single zone trigger that can be replaceable. For this amount of money, you won’t get a better deal in the electronic cymbals market for sure.
3. Roland CY-15R V-Cymbal
The Roland CY-15R V-Cymbal is a 15″ ride cymbal from Roland’s praised V-Drums line. These are quite an upgrade from lower-level electronic drum cymbals, which tend to feel like playing on small plastic discs that don’t give out a feel of how a real cymbal would act.
Roland made CY-15R mimic the real thing as much as possible and did a really great job at that too. This cymbal requires a bit of an investment in money, but this is a great, professional option for anyone serious about acquiring a quality cymbal for their electronic drum set.
4. Yamaha PCY155
Yamaha is another household name in both acoustic and electronic drum worlds and for a good reason. The Yamaha PCY155 is a quality 15” electronic cymbal. The great thing about this cymbal is that it has three separate modules on the bottom. This means that you can play three different sounds depending on whether you hit the bell, inner shot, or rim shot.
The cymbal has nice technology inside allowing the sensors to pick up the sounds from vibrations of the whole cymbal, getting you as close to the acoustic cymbal sounds as possible. It comes at a mid-range price, so if you’re looking to get a quality cymbal for not that much cash, this should hit your buying shortlist.
5. Roland CY-18DR V-Cymbal
Roland’s CY-18DR comes from the same V-Cymbal series as the aforementioned crash. These cymbals are made to have an acoustic feel to them when you play them. It’s an 18” ride cymbal, equipped with 5 separate sensors, giving you the playing feel of the acoustic ride cymbal.
With this item, you can actually choke the crash or soften it with the palm of your hand, as you would do with the real cymbal. It also reads and converts your bell, edge, or bow shots perfectly, so you can’t really tell any difference from playing the acoustic one. This is a professionals-only cymbal that’s expensive, but gives out the highest possible quality in return.
6. Yamaha Electronic Hi-hat Pad/Controller 13"
This wouldn’t be a cymbal article if it didn’t mention the most used cymbal of them all – hi-hat. Yamaha Electronic Hi-Hat is a quality-made, versatile hi-hat cymbal. The Yamaha Electronic Hi-hat Pad/Controller measures 13” in width, and is covered with a rubber coating, giving you a soft and natural feel when you play it.
It also comes with two separate sensors, each equipped with a ¼” jack, so you can get all of your sounds right as you want them. When played, this hi-hat will give out a realistic sound and allow you to transfer all your playing knowledge from acoustic drums to an electronic one. Also, the price is in the mid-range value. All in all, this is a great, all-around solution for anyone looking for a nice hi-hat option for their electronic drum set.
7. Roland VH-11 V-HI-Hat Controller
If you’re in a need of a high-end hi-hat controller, the Roland VH-11 V-HI-Hat Controller mimics the acoustic ones as close as possible. Even though it’s made out of one piece, instead of two like a standard hi-hat, it has a nice feel to it when played. This is because it has a movable top part of the cymbal, with a fixed bottom.
It comes with two sensors equipped with two separate ¼” jacks, giving you a bigger sound collection when playing your set. They are made out of quality plastic and rubber, so when you hit them, you can get that real feel of cymbals being played. They do cost a bit, same as most of the Roland equipment does, but if you’re looking for the best option on the hi-hat, look no further.
Summary
There are tons of different options on the market. Whether you’re just a beginner looking to start or a pro needing to replace a broken cymbal or expand your set, you’ll find something on this list for you.
Also, make sure that you check out the brand of the cymbal pads that you’re getting, as well as ensure that it is compatible with your drum module. Just check the specifications on the product pages of the ones that you are considering buying.
My top electronic cymbal pick is the Roland CY-14C V-Cymbal, a 14″ high-quality dual trigger electronic crash cymbal well worth the price tag.
My budget electronic cymbal pick is the Pintech TC16 Cymbal, an affordable 16″ cymbal option with decent quality for those on a tight budget.
