While much of the percussion industry continues to chase louder, faster, and more explosive sounds, Sabian has gone in a very different direction. The Canadian cymbal maker’s two newest products, the Cymbits and the XSR Effeks Clap Stack, are not designed to grab attention through sheer volume. Instead, they offer something quieter, more intimate, and, arguably, more interesting.
At first glance, Cymbits don’t look like they belong in a drummer’s toolkit. They’re small, flat discs, no bigger than a couple of inches across, and made from the same B20 bronze alloy used in Sabian’s O-Zone cymbals. There’s no polish, no shine, and certainly no glamour. But their effect is immediate and distinctive. Dropped onto a cymbal, whether it’s a ride, hi-hat, or even a tom, they create a subtle metallic flutter and gently shorten the sustain. It’s a soft-spoken change, the kind that doesn’t announce itself but is felt more than heard. For drummers who care about texture, tone, and atmosphere, Cymbits open up new territory.
If the Cymbits are all about nuance, the XSR Effeks Clap Stack delivers something more pronounced, though still entirely acoustic. Built from three stacked cymbals in 11-, 13-, and 15-inch sizes, the Clap Stack recreates the sound of vintage electronic handclaps. Think drum machines from the early eighties: crisp, snappy, with a dry punch that cuts through without lingering. But there’s no software involved here, no sampling. This is a sound created purely through craftsmanship and air movement. It responds to the touch of a stick or even the palm of a hand, and it sits beautifully in a groove without sounding artificial.
Sabian has always had a reputation for walking the line between tradition and experimentation. These new releases continue that legacy, but with a fresh kind of restraint. There’s no marketing blitz, no dramatic rebranding. Just two new sound tools that invite players to rethink how they use space, silence, and subtlety in their playing.
Reactions have been mixed, as expected. Some drummers immediately embraced the concept, praising the products for their originality and expressiveness. Others remain unsure, questioning how such understated effects might translate in loud, high-energy environments. But Sabian doesn’t appear to be chasing trends. Instead, they seem content to serve the musicians who value exploration over perfection.
In a music world increasingly shaped by digital presets and pre-recorded elements, the Cymbits and Clap Stack stand apart. They ask the player to listen differently, to work with their instrument rather than around it. They may not be the loudest innovations of the year, but for those who know what to listen for, they might be the most lasting.