Best Examples Of Cymbal Decays On A Recording

The album "Benzaiten" by Osamu Kitajima (1974) has a variety of cymbals, triangles, and various Japanese percussion instruments that make it a great test record (as well as a testament to how creative a musician can be before being lured to LA for a record contract). Not available on Qobuz, but available on Amazon HD. 

Also as a drummer, what’s more determinative of cymbals than specific brands is weight. I’ve got a heavy vintage Zidjian ride, two medium-weight Sabina crashes, a fairly light Zildfian hi hats so I get that nice “chick” sound that cuts through. If I can clearly hear a heavy ride (deeper tone with more stick sound audible) and/or heavier versus thinner/crisper hi hats that goes a long way with me. Check out Cyrus Chestnut’s self-titled CD, Keb’ Mo’s “Slow Down” CD, and Keith Jarrett’s “Live at the Blue Note” just to name a few. Oh, and also Steve Gadd and Friends “Live at Voce” and “Oscar Peterson meets Roy Hargrove and Ralph Moore.” If a system can’t clearly discern the difference between heavy or thinner cymbals it’s a non starter for me.

Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya: Sotho Blue. Great jazz CD with not that many cymbal crashes but when they happen, they happen, with long trails that are heard covering the soundstage.

Also, European Jazz Trio: Saudade. A great Japanese recording with some of the best mike placements.

All the best,
Nonoise

Addendum:

The final section of the first sentence in the last paragraph of my above post (phew ;-) reads "made to simulate live music." I was of course referring to instances where that was the actual intent of the producer (and perhaps artist/band). Far more common is a very different intent:

During the playback of a track (whether in recording or mixing), the engineer will run his tape, A/B-ing the sound with that of a current best-selling song. He then manipulates the sound of his recording with a number of pieces of outboard gear (and of course his mixing board), all in his attempt to make the recording sound as much like a current hot song or album as possible. No references to the sound of live music at all, purely subjective.