Zildjian - K 18" Cluster Crashes

The Zildjian K Cluster Crash 18" takes a broader, more atmospheric approach to the 'trash' sound of the Cluster series. With its 18-inch diameter, it retains the fast, aggressive attack of the 16" model, but with a fuller breath and even more present harmonics. You can tell immediately that this crash is taking up more space in the mix.

The sound remains dark, raw and highly textured, with that slightly dirty edge that gives the series its personality. When playing open accents or powerful transitions, the cymbal develops a sort of lively cloud of sound, almost a hybrid between a big, thin crash and a more controlled china. In styles like modern metal, post-rock, fusion or certain progressive worlds, this colour quickly becomes addictive.

Cluster hammering adds an enormous amount of complexity to the sound. The frequencies remain irregular and shifting, with a response that changes slightly depending on the strike zone. The unmachined bell also adds to the rawer, less 'polished' feel of a classic crash.

Thanks to its thin thickness, the cymbal remains supple under the stick despite its larger diameter. It reacts quickly, explodes easily and retains enough sustain to create wider ambiances without becoming intrusive.