the natural sound of a cymbal

Yellowjackets Altered State, Time Squared and Timeline.

Zildjian cymbals are used on these recordings.

Yelowjackets Time Squared and Altered State recorded with Sabian cymbals. Timeline Zildjian cymbals.

Re the ability to identify the brand of cymbals on a recording. Drummers most certainly can. I am not a drummer, but I can tell you that it is not difficult for me to identify when (for instance) Michael Brecker used his Otto Link mouthpiece, and when he used his Guardala. Likewise, when Phil Woods used his Selmer alto, and when he switched to a Yamaha. It's even obvious that Ernie Watts uses synthetic reeds. All these have identifiable characteristics. Just three examples of many, and one does not need a SOTA system to do it. So, one can safely extrapolate (I think) that an experienced drummer can tell which brand of cymbal is being played on a recording.

Any Keith Jarrett Trio on ECM.

Any Keith Jarrett Trio on ECM.