John E. Johnson, Jr.

Paiste 18″ Giant Beat Multi-Functional (Crash) Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Paiste's Giant Beat line is quite different than their other cymbals. The Giant Beat's color for one thing. I thought at first they look like they have quite a bit of silver in them, at least the 18" version that I tested, but over a few months, the silvery finish began to turn into a patina, with the more expected coppery color showing through. So, I suspect there may be a thin nickel coating. This possibly gives the cymbal a bright sound, almost bell-like, but without making you want to cover your ears. They are in the medium-thin category and vary by diameter, and are categorized as "Multi-Functional", which means you can use them as a ride or a crash. I would classify this one primarily as a crash cymbal.

Cymbals

Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 2 Subwoofer

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Paradigm, renown manufacturer of most catagories of A/V products, has released their latest subwoofer line, called the SUB 1 and SUB 2. These two subwoofers are part of their Reference Signature line of speakers and subs. Both are hexagonal in shape, with six drivers (8" in the SUB 1 and 10" in the SUB 2), having two drivers arranged vertically on three of the six sides, alternating sides with drivers and sides without drivers. They are sealed enclosures, and both have amplifiers with power heretofore not seen in any subwoofers. The amplifier can be powered by 120 V AC or 240 V AC. At 120 V, the amplifier outputs 3,000 watts RMS, and at 240 V, it will output a whopping 4,500 watts RMS and 9,000 watts peak. The SUB 2, which is reviewed here, weighs 230 pounds. Its performance is truly magnificent, with a price tag worthy of its design: $8,999 for Cherry or Black Ash finishes, and $9,499 for the Piano Black Premium finish.

Subwoofers

Meinl 22″ MB20 Heavy Bell Ride Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Meinl, whose home base is in Germany, produces some excellent cymbals. Most of them are forged in Germany, but some, such as the MB20, are forged in Turkey and then finished in Germany. This MB20 Heavy Bell Ride cymbal produces some mean pings that will be heard above all the amp stacks and the crowd noise. It has a gorgeous tonality that will make its drummer's smile as bright as the cymbal itself.

Cymbals

Paiste 18″ Signature Reflector Heavy Full Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Paiste has several styles in their Signature line. This one is an 18" Reflector Heavy Full Crash in their Signature line. I imagine it is called "Reflector" rather than "Brilliant" in terms of the finish because the lathing lines are very fine and very evenly spaced, indicating that the lathing was done by CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machining which results in more of a mirror (reflection) surface than simply being shiny (brilliant).

Cymbals

Paiste 18″ Alpha Brilliant Metal Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

For you metal drummers out there, Paiste makes this one in the Alpha line, which includes 17", 18", 19", and 20" sizes, all in a Brilliant finish (shined with an abrasive). There is also a 20" Alpha Metal Ride available. Alphas are made from a B8 alloy (92% copper, 8% tin), and this can be seen in its very coppery color. It's thick, heavy, and delivers a bright punch that will cut through any stack of guitar amplifiers. It will take a beating, for sure. In fact, when I ran the test, it overloaded my microphones, so I had to back them off a few more inches. My microphones will handle up to 130 dB!

Cymbals

Paiste 18″ RUDE Thin Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Paiste's RUDE cymbal line was developed as part of the need for a heavy cymbal line that could take a pounding and produce volume that would cut through the high output amplifier stacks that were piled on the stages for Metal band performances. In this review, we take a listen to the RUDE 18" thin crash.

Cymbals