Review
Meinl M-Series Fusion Cymbals
Images:
Ultra-bright, brilliantly musical and studio-friendly cymbals
from Meinl's M-Series Fusion range
iDrumhad some fun with Meinl's M-Series cymbals way back in issue
2, and we loved them. So, naturally, we were excited to receive the
M-Series Fusion cymbals that are up for review here. "But how do
they compare?" I hear you cry…
Smooth It Over
All M-Series cymbals are manufactured from B20 bronze in Germany,
using hi-tech, computerised manufacturing processes. They are
renowned for their modern design and sound and exceptional clarity.
With the Fusions, however, comes another level of enticement as
they boast this '2-tone' appearance, thanks to the high-gloss inner
finish against the extra thin edge. Add some minimal hammering and
a lot of buffing and what you get is a cymbal that possesses the
sensitivity and attack of a thin cymbal, whilst retaining the
clarity and body of a heavier cymbal. Genius.
Meinl M-Series Fusion Cymbals Review
What Have We Got?
A reassuringly heavy, yet manageable, delivery of cymbals from
Meinl included the 14" Fusion Medium Hats, the 16" and 18" Fusion
Medium Crashes, the 20" and 22" Fusion Medium Rides and the 10"
Fusion Splash [not 12", as the video says]. The cymbals are
visually identical across the board, with perhaps the exception of
a slightly more proportionally large bell on the ride cymbals.
14" Fusion Medium Hi-hats
These hats performed beautifully and, as you'll hear in the video,
have a tone and musicality that makes them very versatile. Quick
response, articulate and bright, they have a decent 'chick' but are
sensitive and blend incredibly well with the rest of the range.
When played open, they provide a good amount of trash but always
retaining the sibilance that typifies this range.
Fusion Medium Crashes
The brilliance of a thin cymbal is prevalent here in the crashes
but this is underpinned by warm, musical tones. Superbly fast
attack and a satisfying sustain make for a great balance both in a
live situation and studio settings. Where the 16" needed a bit more
muscle behind it to reach its best, the 18" was more than
sufficient to punctuate grooves with authority and leave lingering
glassy notes over the ensuing bar.
Fusion Medium Rides
The choice between 20" and 22" rides is often a very personal one,
and one that depends on your own style and taste. For me, the 20"
has that little bit more character to it. A well-rounded cymbal, it
produces enjoyable bell notes that make their mark, a body stick
response with somewhat of a bite to it, a clear voice when ridden
but the potential to crash too, thanks to the thin edge. Of course,
the 22" is capable of all this as well, but we found the 20" a bit
more obliging.
Splash
This 10" has all the immediacy that you would expect and hope for
from a quality splash, but some warmer frequencies that you might
not usually receive. Fast, energetic, punchy, and crystal clear -
what more do you need?
Conclusion
Meinl has a gift for producing very distinct and focussed ranges
of cymbals, meaning that there is something there for everyone.
These M-Series Fusion cymbals, although musical and versatile, are
ideal 'studio cymbals' in that they would lend themselves well to
crystal clear production where everything has a true voice. They're
sleek aesthetic, together with their boldness, reflects their sonic
potential.
Check out the Meinl website for further details of thin models and
Trash Crashes available in the range.
www.meinlcymbals.com
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