Low volume cymbals have become very popular in recent years for a very good reason. They retain the feel of playing acoustic cymbals, while dramatically reducing the volume.
That can protect your hearing while keeping family and neighbors happy! You get to play on cymbals that are a lot bit quieter without rubber cymbal mufflers ruining your playing experience. They compliment your drums for home use as well as gig use. In this article, I’m going to present to you 4 of the best low volume cymbal sets currently on the market.
My top pick among low volume cymbals is the Zildjian L80 Low Volume LV468 Box Set if you want to retain the real feel of conventional cymbals but are, in fact, low volume.
My budget pick is the Musoo Low Volume Quiet Cymbals Practice Set. If you don’t want to break your bank, this is a good option for you.
The 4 Best Low Volume Cymbals (2023)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Zildjian L80 Low Volume LV468 Box Set
As one of the leaders in the cymbals market, it’s no wonder that Zildjian is on this list. Their L80 low volume cymbals are one of the best and most durable out there. Made out of the special alloy, made specifically to bring the noise down, they feature perforations throughout the whole surface for that same reason.
In this box set, you’ll find a 14” hi-hat, 16” crash, and 18” ride cymbals. Contrary to the usual ways of numbing the tone down with mufflers or rubber pads, these cymbals will always have the same sound and reaction to being played as the standard cymbals, with just the noise being significantly down. They offer up to 80% of noise reduction, which is a lot.
All in all, these are great cymbals for practice or acoustic band situations, and they come at a great price too. They are sturdy and quality-made, so if you’re looking for a reasonable price and reliable solution, this is your pick.
2. Musoo Low Volume Quiet Cymbals Practice Set
The Musoo Low Volume Quiet Cymbals Practice Set is a 5-piece set of budget-friendly cymbals for quiet playing. This 60%-70% set comes with 14″ hi-hats, a 16″crash, an 18″ crash, and a 20″ ride cymbal.
They produce a bright and warm sound with low volume that is great for practicing, all the while having a solid quality overall considering the price. When it comes to affordable options, you can’t find much better than this one.
They are made from crisp stainless steel that delivers a real cymbal feel while playing. A rich sound that is only complimented by clear delivery. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly cymbal set that won’t drive your neighbors crazy and can practice as long as you want then this is the ideal option on the market.
3. Sabian Quiet Tone Practice Cymbals Box Set
The Quiet Tone range is also made out of special alloy and has punched holes all over the place, but there are differences in sound overall. In the box set you’ll find a total of four cymbals – 14” hi-hat, 16” and 18” crashes and 20” ride cymbal.
They have quite a futuristic look with a silver lining and as for the sound, they produce a bit louder and brighter sound than the Zildjian L80. Of course, they still dampen the sound a lot, but if you’re looking for a bit less dampened sound this is a great pick.
4. Kasza Cymbals Quiet on the Set Practice Cymbal Pack
They are made for practice purposes and they were made right. In this set you’ll get 14” hi-hat, 16” and 18” crashes and 20” ride cymbal, with a carrying bag included, which is a really nice addition to the pack.
As for the sound, they provide sound quality and loudness similar to the previously mentioned L80. You can use them in acoustic situations, but also they can be used with electric instruments if you’re all tired of listening to the over-the-top loud music and want to dampen it all down a notch.
All in all, for this price, these are perfect for your everyday practice.
How Do You Make Cymbals Quieter?
Cymbals themselves are very loud and because of their sharp pitch, they seem even louder when you listen to them.
You can always use different types of sound dampeners, which are usually rubber pads that you place on cymbals. Even though they do dampen the sound a lot, they also take away a lot of the sound quality and they don’t feel like playing on cymbals. So, drummers tend to not like playing on them unless they have another option.
On the other hand, you can buy and use low volume cymbals. They are generally a more expensive option than a piece of rubber, but you’ll get much better sound quality when playing.
What Volume are Low Volume Cymbals?
They are not silent, but they are a LOT quieter than regular cymbals. The Zildjian L80s come in at around 83dB, which is 80% lower than regular cymbals.
Standard cymbals can go as high as 100-120dB. 120dB is around the start of the pain threshold. Not only is that painful, but it’s very dangerous for your hearing as it can cause tinnitus after even short periods of exposure. Bare this in mind and be mindful in order to preserve your hearing well.
If you listen to them compared to the standard cymbals, you’ll notice the difference immediately. The volume reduction is noticeable, as well as the lesser sustain and cut high frequencies.
How are Low Volume Cymbals made?
Taking Zildjian’s L80 low volume cymbals as a prime example, they make their sets using a special metal alloy with a complimented matte finish. The most significant aspect is the large number of strategically positioned holes that make them sound dull and low.
The purpose of the holes is that it reduces the sustain capabilities while also providing volume reduction. This is why they are dubbed practicing cymbals, because of the cut high frequencies, your cymbals are noticeable quieter than traditional cymbals, eliminating the need for headphones.
Can You Play with Low Volume Cymbals in a Band?
Yes, but you have to be aware that these cymbals are a lot quieter than the standard ones.
If you’re playing in a large hall, it’s probably not the best idea to use them. But, in smaller rooms, like rehearsal rooms, or if you’re playing in an acoustic band, these can be perfect.
It’s all about what you and your band need, but even if you get these for practice, they will prove to be a great buy in the long run for your hearing.
Can you mic Low Volume Cymbals?
You most certainly can! Low volume cymbals used for gigs require microphones to deliver a good sound intensity and volume to fill out a place.
As with any drum kit, or cymbal set, low volume cymbal packs are no different when it comes to gigs. Microphones are used to bring the sound up and mix it further to produce a quality sound fit for performance.
Everything is the same when it comes to micing, your hi-hats, ride, splash, and crash cymbals will have mics because they sound quieter in a normal setting.
Which brands are the best for Low Volume Cymbals?
As you can see from the list, these are the names that pop up when you search for low volume cymbals. You will most likely see Zildjian (L80 low volume cymbal set) as the first one, followed by Sabian.
Other worthy ones, obviously from the list, are Kasza, Musoo (budget option), Meinl is up there too alongside some that are not that frequent but produce good quality ones are UFO and WHD.
Summary
Low volume cymbals are gaining more and more momentum among drummers, as they really offer you best from the both worlds (retaining the feel of playing on cymbals, while reducing noise).
These will help you practice quietly on your drum set, which is great for your hearing as well as your relationship with your family and neighbors! At the same time, they won’t affect the playing sound coming out of your cymbals, and you can use all of the techniques that you would normally use with them.
My top recommended set is the Zildjian L80 Low Volume LV468 Box Set if you want a set that sounds great and retains the feel of regular cymbals.
My second recommended set is the Musoo Low Volume Quiet Cymbals Practice Set for those on a tighter budget.
