General
In total, there are five different sets of hi-hats in the Zildjian S Family series. This 13-inch Mastersound set features a bottom cymbal with hammered grooves that allow the air to escape more easily, resulting in a responsive and lively 'chick' sound. The most important features of these Mastersound 13-inch hi-hat cymbals are control and articulation. If you want a more complex, full sound, and are prepared to trade in some control and articulation, then the 14-inch Mastersound hi-hats might be more your style. These 13-inch cymbals are suitable for all-round drummers, but really shine in lighter genres like pop and jazz.
Zildjian S Family
Zildjian S Family cymbals are made of B12 alloy, which consists of 88% copper and 12% tin. In order to achieve a new and modern sound from an age-old material, developers in the Zildjian sound lab experimented with different techniques over the course of two whole years! During that time, they created and tested various designs in the lab as well as in the field, so to speak. The S Family series adds a unique, bright sound to the Zildjian assortment.
Sound characteristics of the S Family series
For starters, the cymbals have a brilliant finish. They have an overwhelmingly clear and expressive sound, and an average volume level range. If we compare the cymbals from the K Custom series, which are all made of B20 alloy, then it would be safe to say the S Family cymbals boast more clarity and focus. This has to do with the ratio of copper to tin, as well as the production techniques. At the end of the day, Zildjian's S Family cymbals offer a well-balanced frequency response, making them suitable for just about any style of music you can think of!