INSTANTLY Improve ANY HiHat Sound | Stephen Taylor Drum Lesson

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_______________ INSTANTLY Improve ANY HiHat Sound | Stephen Taylor Drum Lesson -- Subscribe to my channel here: bit.ly/2AyH1Fb
Hihats. They seem to be a mystery to all drummers when they begin playing the drums. How do you get a better hihat sound? Why do my hihats sound bad? How can I improve how my hihats sound?
There are very few times that simply turning one knob on your drums will make a big difference. This is one of those times. One of the things I've repeatedly seen beginner drummers ignore is this. But I was the same way...for years I simply thought that knob under the hihat was for decoration. And then one day, I started turning it...and a whole new world opened up.
For some of you, this seems like common sense. For others of us, it isn't. I've shown so many beginner drummers what this knob does for the hihat sound...so I thought I would make this quick video for anyone wondering about what that "weird knob under my hihat cymbal does?"
Ultimately, it really doesn't matter what I think though. What do you think? Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, tips, and tricks for getting a better hihat sound!
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Cymbal Setup From Left To Right:
All Zildjian
Hats:
16" EFX Crash on top
16" K Light Top Hat on bottom
18" Kerope Crash
22" K Custom Dark Complex Ride
22" Renaissance Ride
Drums:
Tama Starclassic Bubinga with Tiger Wood finish
Sticks:
Vic Firth 5A
Drumheads:
Aquarian
Classic Clear on toms and snare resonant
Response 2 on toms batter
Hi-Velocity on snare batter
Regularor (Ebony) on kick resonant
Super Kick 10 on kick batter
Alclair In Ear Monitors

[@koehlerdogtraining]

" ... you're twisting it anyway, just because it's a knob on your drum set." Hilarious!

[@nicksmith2964]

koehlerdogtraining 😂 frickin hilarious and he doesn’t even try 😂

[@trentonking1680]

It’s so true tho lmao

[@Highcastle_of_Tone]

I assume most of my setup problems stem from this approach.

[@danh9843]

Thats 100% me hahaha

[@fleebab]

me foreal doe whe i started

[@blablablugh]

Thanks, Steve... Now, I'm the last, unknown knob on my set.

[@LeviGenesove]

I did not know that. Thanks for the tip. My OCD mind is going to hate not having them straight though. 😊

[@richardwilliams1310]

Sound edge or vented hats may be the solution for you, hehe

[@milotron]

quick beats have them @@richardwilliams1310

[@seanmadden6683]

Fun fact: The adjustment screw was invented by Roy Burns, founder of Aquarian drumheads, educator, performer etc. Thanks Roy! RIP

[@tylerchin8760]

Already knew this, but thank you for being one of the only people to make a video actually explaining it!!:)

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Lol, I SO could have used this video when I was just starting out.

[@tylerchin8760]

@@StephenTaylorDrums I feel you!! I feel 90% of drummers don't know how to set up their kits for themselves. Maybe a future video topic?:) Like fundamental kit maintenance and setup

[@rackjice2952]

Great reminder! It is strange that drummers / tutors almost never seem to mentioned this for drum set, while it's so fundamental for handheld clash cymbals

[@UncleDanBand64]

Oh that's what that does😂👍

[@GeertSalami]

Says the guy that has a microphone wich looks like a curling iron. Just kidding. Great video!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Subscribe to my channel here: bit.ly/2AyH1Fb Hihats. They seem to be a mystery to all drummers when they begin playing the drums. How do you get a better hihat sound? Why do my hihats sound bad? How can I improve how my hihats sound? There are very few times that simply turning one knob on your drums will make a big difference. This is one of those times. One of the things I've repeatedly seen beginner drummers ignore is this. But I was the same way...for years I simply thought that knob under the hihat was for decoration. And then one day, I started turning it...and a whole new world opened up. For some of you, this seems like common sense. For others of us, it isn't. I've shown so many beginner drummers what this knob does for the hihat sound...so I thought I would make this quick video for anyone wondering about what that "weird knob under my hihat cymbal does?" Ultimately, it really doesn't matter what I think though. What do you think? Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, tips, and tricks for getting a better hihat sound!

[@ad.ke.7224]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I think it's important to mention that the top cymbal should not be over tightened. It sounds muffled and bad when you play the hi-hat loose. (And feels like I'm banging on a tabletop.) This is often the first thing I have to change if I'm not playing on my own kit.

[@kwiksand]

I hate that "cupping" sound. I switched to Paiste Sound Edge hats 20 years ago and never looked back. I run them as flat as possible. Zero cupping sound. Great video though.

[@salvadorvelazquez415]

Nice , I have the regular 14 ‘ rude series paiste hihats but the sound edge sound a bit higher or sizzlyy

[@SICRoosterKido]

I don't even have a knob.. no wonder my hat sound sux!

[@magohipnosis]

Try using something on one side to slant it!

[@DrGray_Drummer]

No comment;)

[@sarahhughes1214]

@@magohipnosis hey what would you suggest putting on one side to slant it? I don't have a knob either :(

[@marty9464]

You can accomplish the something by placing a shim under one side of the bottom HI Hat felt... you may need to tape it in place.

[@dragonheart2403]

me too I feel you dude (just get a new hi hat stand)

[@Chiroman527]

Steve, great total explanation of high hats. I am a subsriber to your channel , and also signed up for the on line course. Now I just need to practice , practice, and practice. As an advanced beginner at 68 years old, after a 50 year hiatus from playing drums, heading for retirement, i have found a reknewed and rekindled interest into what has always been a passion of music, my music and being able to play along on the drums. Be safe all and thx again for your great vids.

[@thatestpchic6995]

We have a Pearl hi hat in our school band where the bottom cymbal was WAY too slanted and it sounded horrible.....now after tweaking with it a little bit, it sounds good as new :)

[@kalmah24]

Thank you for this video. Ive been trying to make them flat to each other this whole time. I thought it was wrong they were tilted. Appreciate this and following your videos

[@ILikeWafflz]

I was actually surprised to find out this isn't common knowledge! I found that adjustment and pretty much immediately determined its purpose. The problem I was having for a bit back then was that I wasn't getting a decent click _anyway_

[@DrGray_Drummer]

That's one of the reasons I love the Sound edge hats. Zildjian now makes hats with their own version of the Sound Edges. I still keep a slight tilt, as it seems to make that click a bit more pronounced. Excellent video, as you were stating, far too many drummers have no idea what that piece is for

[@iam7bit]

Ok I dont have this knob under my hats, i gotta be creative.

[@patrickfarley8036]

Hey Stephen very cool video. I'm sure you're right about people turning the knob on the drumset just because it's there, as funny as that is too actually hear you say! But it is a very important bit of knowledge and understaning to be able to tweak the sound of your kit to get desired tones or sounds. I believe this true for any instrument! How can you find "your sound" if you dont know how or where to look for it? I found out what that tilter screw was for by way of Paiste Soundedge hats back around 70-71. I was amazed at such an odd looking design seeing them for the first time at Mannys Music in NYC. I remember thinking the salesman was pulling my leg about the wavy edge releasing trapped air so the hats didn't sound so choked. That was until he showed me how to adjust the tilter on the stand using traditional plates to achieve basically the same result. For this, I was forever grateful! A little later, your boys at Zildjian put round holes in the hats since Paiste had the patent on the wavy edge. At some point I guess the patent expired. Seems everybody has some version of a wavy bottom to release trapped air. Especially us old guys!😨 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Peace!

[@leeverrill]

It doesn't take much....just a slight tilt will work....great video

[@toddlavigne6441]

Also, some hi-hats have a ripple edge on the lower hat. Paiste have had them for years and they always sounded loud and bright. Great info. as usual

[@toddlavigne6441]

question for Stephen...how much physical fitness training should a drummer be doing in order to play his/her best?

[@Euthyphro]

That X Files thing was comedic gold. Loved it.

[@dashwig]

X-files theme playing while showing that knob :-D = exactly what propably 90% of us kept thinking for years :-)

[@cj_ssfsm]

Very goood. That beard though🐐

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

i figured that out decades ago, but i always thought the hats were supposed to catch each other square 🤔 maybe i'll start playing around with this again. and in recent years my hats don't retain air because i drill holes into them anyway 😂 necessity is the mother of invention.

[@boomerguy9935]

I was never taught this but somehow, I learned it during my past 55 years of drumming. Maybe it's because I actually listen to the hi-hats while I play. I'm a light jazz drummer and I usually keep the hi-hats going during the pauses or breaks so the people still have a beat to dance to. I just call it courtesy. Also, I always use a very light top cymbal and either a light or heavy bottom, depending on the size of the venue.

[@Davesounds]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INFO MY MAN! 🔥🙌🏼 I've been trying to improve my hh sound quality and this video was perfect for that

[@3DAndy76]

1:36 Did you just try to get a bad sound out of a pair of Ks?!? Just kidding man, awesome tip, as always. I see many who play with flat hi-hats, and the sound choke is unbearable. Some even think that the screw is there to correct any asymmetry and to get them closed as joined as possible.

[@stevesandvoss3376]

I always adjusted the knob to get the cymbals line up perfectly and now I finally know why my hi hat sounds like crap. Thanks man 👍😬

[@classixdrummer]

So that’s what that’s for. I always assumed they knew about my OCD and were providing the means whereby I could ensure they came together perfectly matched. Sounds like crap sure, but so calming somehow. 😉

[@brandonhaywood426]

Great info! I have Sabian AAX Fast Hats, which have three holes in the bottom hat, so zero air gets trapped.

[@Asphaltsquadron]

Great vid, thanks! I know its been 5 years haha, but I have a question. Wouldn't you want the adjuster to be facing you? Two reasons: 1- the sound will be projecting out and away. 2- if the hats are angled open facing you (as depicted here) most of the sound coming out is projecting back to the player. Also, wont that chew up sticks faster? Your thoughts, Thanks!!

[@izziOnBass]

Hi Stephen stepped on your chanel while doing some hat search. Great video. If you can help me I am looking for two specific hat sounds, and if you know what would be the type of that hats. Wild West End by Direstraits and Beyond by Dfat Punk. What type of hats are used in that. I know it's a crazy question. But I am digging those tones! TIA

[@lichkrieg4898]

This video could have been 1:30, but it wasn't and we love you for it.

[@blueshark928]

One of the first things I learned is what that screw does. A good teacher is money well spent.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

blueshark928 couldn’t agree more with that last point

[@magohipnosis]

I was thinking the same thing. The first teacher I had taught me this

[@mikebarker9187]

Also... Run a pipe cleaner over the felt pad of the bottom hi-hat cymbal and tighten it down by tying it tightly to the knob thing that adjusts the angle of the bottom hat. The prevents the felt from falling off the hi-hat stand when you have removed the rod for traveling, and you are tossing the stand up and down and around. A pipe cleaner is thin enough and strong enough to hold down the felt pad without affecting sound.

[@kchez5586]

Another big difference maker in the sound is not cranking the felts really tight on the top. I used to be guilty of this & giving a little more "slop" in the top cymbal helped a lot.

[@johnsanchez5204]

Hello!, Fellow-Drummer, Stephen!, I took a trip to Guitar Center, Cerritos, CA, On 4/9/22. I'm the kinda Drummer, That loves Cymbals that *Sizzle*! :) l'm a, Sabian, Cymbal-Guy! :) However, Though, l'm not a Huge-Fan of Zildjian-Cymbals... l was, Totally, Blown-Away, With the *Sizzling*-Sound of The, L-Series, L80, Zildjian, Low-Volume, Hi-Hat, Cymbals! :D They were So Crisp and So *Sizzly*! :)::: Now... I gotta save-up... and Buy me a Pair of Zem! :)

[@lukasbeter6156]

Yep i was part of the people that had no idea what that was for. Awesome info. The smallest details help my performance. Thanks a lot.

[@drummersdragons5287]

My current hihat is a tennis shoes with jingle bells looped thru the strings, BUT my new one is half ready. Definitely gonna crank that spring knob. Thanks! Use to crank it just for the slight cymbal angle. For playing, not for air of anything. Good info. The reason for ozone hats? Maybe. Doubt it. Thanks again!

[@SyntheticFuture]

Nah Ozone is just Sabian trying to save some money on copper :p But on a serious note the product page for the Swiss cheese hats (uh "sick hats") states: "Large holes allow Sick Hats to breathe in ways other Hats simply cannot - with virtually no airlock, you hear everything.". Sadly the O-Zones are no longer for sale but they may very well have applied the same logic with those :)

[@drummersdragons5287]

Thanks ThaTyger. Those sick hats look a mess but maybe they sound good. Seems like a power drill and a set of bits could make any hats sick.

[@butchcassidy3373]

I've been caught in an air pocket once. Not much fun. Thanks for the info.

[@allancueto22]

Cool video...question! we need cymbal sleeves on the cymbal stands right? Why we don't have any "protection" on the hi hat clutch? Lol....does the two cymbal felts and two nut locks enough? Maybe this is a stupid question but i wanna know

[@TheyCallMeNoName34]

Thank for this great tutorial. I'm new to drums and this helped me out A LOT! Quick question, what's the black plastic piece at the bottom of the high-hat stand just right above the legs. Does it do anything to alter the sound or control of the high-hat pedal etc? Thanks in advance. ~Peace~

[@LyndaWhite-ju1gj]

Such a simple but useful tip, a few turns of the screw can make a world of difference.

[@ThePredsedatel]

checked the subscribtion notification/let's go

[@alexmanojmathews]

Stephen u r an amazing teacher .. huge thanks for the tips .. and for keeping it real always

[@mattshay9393]

I haven't been able to find anyone talking about this: What does it mean that my top hi hat makes a sympathetic sound as I release it? Like, when I'm playing with my foot, the cymbal sounds as the rod lifts up and hits its peak. It makes sense, the cymbal is basically being vibrated through the clutch as it shoots up and stops. But does anyone know how to reduce the noise??? It sounds very annoying and noticeable, especially when I'm playing consistent 1/8 notes with my foot.

[@karichurchilllaidman7391]

Hi and thank you, how important is the actual high hat stand? I have brand new symbols but the stock stand from my kit which is a Matex. Thank you 🥁❤️👍

[@Chain_Star_Productions]

I twist the numb 4 jazz style playing to get a nice crisp chic 4 jazz playing n 4 good quality sound. Very crist n clean. Wats that "nob" called?

[@Chiroman527]

Very good video giving solid info Steve.... Nobody talks about - Tight the top hi hat should be. I saw a poster on a different KZbin=be video mention that the he was" chocking the top hi hat - it was too tight" I loosened the top clutch and he was right, better sound was achieved. Thought I would share that tidbit.

[@kaseybaka]

I've seen some hi hats very loose when they are open. They just wobble up and down and have a VERY good sound… how to make them THAT loose???

[@scorpionsblackout8290]

Is there a way to tighten the spring of my tama titan. Or do I need a new one.

[@DolkkarToyznstuff]

I'm glad I was educated on this early, but it's also nice to see someone cover this easily and often overlooked topic. Great stuff!

[@miguelsanabria2663]

Thanks for the tip...I'm a beginner so I sound a hell of alot better..😊

[@marcus_mayhem]

Or you get some Sound Edge or Xcelorators

[@jan-nilss.680]

The only reason I don't give this video a thumb up is because it already got clean 1000 likes and 10 dislikes!

[@mrcoatsworth429]

What do I do if my hi hat cymbals are always very tilted? When it's all the way open they almost touch. Is the felt washer causing this? Should I replace it?

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

I have an old set of Sabian something or others that have 3 holes in the bottom hat from the factory not drilled , always wondered why but that explains it ! They are unusual and I never really thought much about it other than smacking the crap out of them lol great vid dude 👍

[@snapascrew]

How does one get the hi hat to sway back and forth?

[@MrRCOTE]

lol...X-Files theme....good choice Steven.

[@DannyTOG]

i have a wavy hi hat bottom so i really don’t ever have to adjust the seat

[@bbdrms7283]

I assume the air being trapped in between is the reason why people drill hole in the bottom cymbal?

[@patrickdaniel898]

So that's what that hole was for? I found a screw that fits and now my hihat sounds great. Thank you very much!

[@richardthackeray2474]

Do these same rules apply for Sound Edge Hi-Hats?

[@lobbyrobby]

I bought a drum set today. Yep, I was twisting that not knowing what it is or if I should be.

[@johnkroner4248]

That is why I use sound edge hats or bottom hi-hat cymbal with air vents.

[@Guitaristlife-dn9ou]

0:21 I sometimes turned that knob on my old acoustic drums

[@elliottyrastorza]

i don't use that knob because my hi hats have a ripple on the bottom cymbal so air doesn't get trapped

[@vr4nin953]

Ill try what you said. OK done it and yea I like the sound. Thank you.

[@nathanumphreys4002]

Vibration displacement, it's not as much air as it is they cancel each other out due to constant pressure

[@gmoney1592]

This is helpful . My hi hats can always use a little improvement. After watching this I’m gonna tweak them a little bit . Change the angle . See what that does . Thanks man!!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Experimentation...that's the great thing about our instrument

[@gmoney1592]

Stephen Taylor I couldn’t agree more .thank u

[@screamo4211]

it’s also used to give your hi hats a better ability to sizzle together

[@deepbluntman___8650]

Thank you for the video! I was ignore it too, in till today 😂💪

[@jacob_sieger]

My hi hat sounds like a drumline crash cymbal

[@smalldrum4877]

This guy is the most relatable drummer (0:19)

[@ilias-lakisservos7801]

Thank you Stephen. Very helpfull.

[@nwordpassifyousub2303]

Thanks bro I’ve been looking for a video that actually explains this unlike everyone else

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Sam Smith glad it helped!

[@nedmar423]

Very good. Thanks for the tip!

[@jeremybradley559]

Well how does this sound ? I guess we have to take your word for it.

[@crisnevin7934]

Or you get them stuck together, or you invert one of them.

[@CantonDrummer85]

I gotta try this with my Roland Vh11 Vdrum hi hat…

[@figgz211]

Commenting to improve your algorithm

[@markricher7362]

I kind of figured that's what it did but wasn't 100% sure, I played so loud I couldn't hear any difference. But yeah I twisted that knob just because it was there, ha,ha!

[@Deszradj]

What do i do if mine doesn’t have one like this lol

[@markielinhart]

Great tip re the slant! 👏🌹🇦🇺✌️

[@noahdentonmusic]

Life hack: If your cheap hi-hat stand does not have that little knob, simply put a smaller cymbal felt under the bottom hi-hat

[@ashugoshu]

Dude I like your beard

[@stephangosselsberger9861]

Aam audio crap? Maybe a knob

[@paulaeden7836]

hi stephen..i have a sonor400 series stand..the wingnut locking bolt just above the legs has been threaded... due to wear and me overtighting it...the locking clamp just above it is still fine..so the stand can still be used..but its a tadge wobbley lol. What can u suggest i do with it? tap a new thread in? or another stand.. Thanku for your time.. paula x

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Well, if it’s just the bolt you can get a new one. Sometimes Home Depot will have what you need. But if not you can order the part. If the actual hole has been stripped you’re out of luck.

[@MM-wi4dt]

How do you feel about hi-hats with rippled edges or holes?

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Michael Griglak doesn’t matter how I feel. What matters is how you feel about them. If they work for you, play on! I know lots of guys that swear by them. There is a sonic difference between all of them though. That should be the deciding factor.

[@mykemech]

My hi hats have vent holes and I love it.

[@BadgerDrums]

Ha! Always wondered what that thing was. Amazing, thanks Stephen. Cheers, Broc

[@gruposhelem3422]

Good morning buddy which hit hat are the best to play cumbia

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You can use most any hihat for that style

[@bencox2411]

I don’t have it underneath my hi hat

[@damianorsini2895]

Hello Steve. Very useful video as usual. I knew about the screw but didn't really think about the air part. I thought it was more so they didn't "lock" up. Now it makes more sense. My question to you though. I know that the hats sound different miked of course (mine aren't obviously) Can you recommend a relatively affordable set of hats. I have ZBT'S, Meinl etc. All in the 80-100 dollar range. But I just can't seem to get that "sound". My favorite hat sound is probably from Ernie (or any other drummer of theirs) in the Isley Brothers. Don't know if that helps narrow my choices or not. And what mix of hat weights do you personally use. Ie. Medium top, light bottoms etc. I appreciate any help. And keep up the great content. Especially for us noobs.

[@bobmizen1]

Thanks for that information. I’ve just been given a new 6 piece Pearl Export Limited Edition kit, so that’s really helpful for setting it up. Regards, Bob M. South Wales

[@grahammonroe4998]

Hey stephen! My names graham and my dream cymbals are the exact ones you play. However, they’re super expensive. Could you make a video with some tips and tricks to get a better sound out of all cymbals and maybe even some DIY ways to get a more dry sound?

[@renjo12]

I have a question. What can u do to make your hi hat leg stronger? I was in a drastic car wreck Dec. 18th, 98 and lost the ability to lift my hi hat leg up or down, because I had a steel rode in it. Thanks for any feed back, R3N

[@bikullanc8511]

THANKS! That video really helped me

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet

[@kirjian]

I've seen that knob for years without knowing what it was. I feel so silly now