Zildjian “Gen16” Acoustic/Electric Cymbal AE368 Box Set

Zildjian has created the first hybrid acoustic/electronic cymbal! Utilizing patented low volume acoustic cymbals and a new dual head mini microphone system, or “pickup”, they are not triggers but real cymbals! Including the controller/mixer with preset tone modeling and effects, the drummer can experience an array of great Zildjian cymbal tones and add effects to each cymbal!

Finished in Polished Nickle Chrome with the Zildjian “Z” and “Gen16” logos embossed in blue, the Gen16 A/E cymbals look hipper than any electronic cymbal pad!

While electronic drums and percussion have been around for years, the AE Cymbal is a completely new twist that uses established technology to create essentially a completely new instrument. “The Acoustic Electric Cymbal is capable of creating a wide range of sounds, from that of a classic Zildjian cymbal to some very non-traditional sounds,” explains Zildjian VP John Roderick. "For drummers, it will have an inspirational impact akin to what the acoustic electric guitar has done for guitarists.”

Unlike electronic drum set trigger pads, Gen16's AE Cymbals sound and respond just like traditional cymbals, but play at less than a quarter of the volume. The AE Cymbal is not a sample trigger device but instead, it’s an actual cymbal and plays like one, but at a dramatically reduced volume, utilizing a unique dual microphone pickup and a digital signal processing engine to amplify and model the cymbal’s response and creating a range of natural cymbal sounds without the use of sampling or MIDI. The user can experience an array of Zildjian tones or add effects to each real cymbal.

"The AE Cymbal represents a true paradigm shift for musicians," says John. "It's an entirely new instrument, much like the (electric piano) was to the acoustic piano, or the electric bass to the upright bass, and we believe it will have a comparable influence on musicians and their music."

The Gen16 AE cymbals will allow drummers using electronic drum sets to play real cymbals that will not make much more noise than cymbal pads but will be much more comfortable to play with a natural style beyond what any electronic cymbal pad is capable of.

To play the Gen16 AE cymbals at a normal performance volume, you will, of course, need an amplifier or access to a sound system, such as the band’s or the production’s PA system. Please note also, that the Gen16 AE cymbals require their own processing module and can’t be plugged into another drum sound module.

BUT! And this is a big one! The Zildjian Gen16 AE Digital Cymbal Processor module (called the “DCP”) will accept the stereo output of an electronic drum set sound module (or ANY audio source!). The DCP has a Mix control that will allow you to adjust the volume level of the module you have plugged in against the volume of the AE cymbals (which have their own individual level controls). You can then take the mono or stereo output of the DCP and plug it into your amp, sound system mixer or recording mixer, everything mixed just the way you want! You can also plug your headphones into the DCP!

Another exciting capability that the Zildjian Gen16 AE system will provide will be to play the AE cymbals along with triggered acoustic drums, where you will be replacing and vastly expanding the range of sounds of the entire drum set, cymbals included, for either performing or recording. This arrangement will also eliminate the need for using microphones anywhere on the drum set and will provide more efficient and precise control of the drums and cymbal volume levels within the overall mix.

And of course, the Gen16 AE cymbals do triple-duty by being a perfect cymbal for quiet practice or low volume gigs. The AE cymbals, together with their pickups, will fit any cymbal stand or cymbal holder.

Two other Zildjian Gen16 AE Cymbal Box Sets are also available:

• The AE38 Box Set is the most basic of the Ge16 sets and contains 13" Hi-Hats and an 18" Crash/Ride Cymbal

• The AE480 Box Set Contains 14" Hi-Hats, 18" Crash Cymbal and a 20" Ride Cymbal

The Gen16 AE Digital Cymbal Processor will accept up to 5 cymbals: 1 – pair hi-hats, 1 – ride cymbal and 3 – crash cymbals. Other Gen16 AE Cymbals are being added and the list, right now, includes:

• 12” Splash

• 13” Hi-Hats

• 14” Hi-Hats

• 16” Crash

• 16” China

• 18” Crash

• 18” Crash/R

• 18” Ride

• 20” Ride

Here at Sam Ash Direct Headquarters, Zildjian representatives came in with a batch of their new AE cymbals where four people on staff who are professional drummers picked up some drumsticks and played them. We were all astonished! They play and sound like real cymbals but nowhere near as loud! Whatever questions we might have had about “How can they do what they say they’ve done?” were answered. They did it. Amazing cymbals!

Get your Zildjian A/E Cymbal AE368 Box Set from Sam Ash Direct today, with fast, free shipping at the guaranteed lowest price. Sam Ash Direct gives you the security of more than 86 years of experience, 24/7 customer support and the Sam Ash Direct 45 day return and 60 day price protection policy. You cannot go wrong!