Istanbul Agop XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Dry Dark Hi-Hat
Size: 13 Inch
Series: XIST
Weight: Top: 480g / Bottom: 870g
- Top: 484g / Bottom: 939g
- Top: 498g / Bottom: 910g
- Top: 516g / Bottom: 975g
- Top: 529g / Bottom: 894g
- Top: 534g / Bottom: 933g
- Top: 536g / Bottom: 916g
- Top: 538g / Bottom: 995g
- Top: 545g / Bottom: 895g
- Top: 546g / Bottom: 916g
- Top: 551g / Bottom: 860g
- Top: 577g / Bottom: 916g
- Top: 580g / Bottom: 894g
- Top: 484g / Bottom: 939g
Median Weight: Top: 536g (n=13) / Bottom: 913g (n=13)
Years of production: 2019 - Present
Sound file: XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
XIST 13" Dry Dark Hi-Hat
Istanbul Agop's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "Since I have started to play drums I am very satisfied with the sound of my Opusvier-kit. But when I recorded it I always struggled to integrate the Hi-Hat into the overall sound. In my case this problem becomes even more obvious, because I usually record in mono or just with two mics, so there is no way I could tame the Hi-hat afterwards. During the last years I have tried different mics and I achieved the best recording-results with a ribbon-mic placed on the opposite site of the Hi-Hat, as far away as possible, but I still had to cut some frequencies of the Hi-Hat in post-processing. In general my UFIP-HiHat, an UFIP 10″ Class Series, sounds very sharp with many highs and is overpowering the attack of the snare. It seems not to be a good match for the rest of the kit. Therefore I have looked for a new Hi-Hat.
I have consciously searched for a Hi-Hat, which could produce a darker and less aggressive sound than the UFIP. After some researches I found the Istanbul Agop 13″ Xist Dry Dark Hi-Hat and ordered it.
Both cymbals are well crafted, no scratches, deformations or unpolished edges. They fit exactly on each other. The finish is looking “used” or even “dirty”, but these aesthetics are popular today. The cymbals have been treated in a special way. You see many hammered bumps and smaller dents on the surface. I can not say, if this was done because of tonal or aesthetic reasons, but it looks cool. Compared to my UFIP-Hihat the Istanbuls are definitely lighter and thinner. The material seems to be softer and more rough, less polished. All these specifications, the roughness, the pickles, the softer material are influencing the feel, when you play it. While my old UFIP is reacting very fast and precise, the Istanbul Hi-Hat feels a lot more indirect and “washy”, but in a good and musical way (more about the sound later). At first I thought, that the bumps could disturb the stick, but they have no recognisable influence on the stick-control (as far as I can tell as a hobby-drummer).
I have already mentioned, that the Istanbul Hi-Hat sounds less direct and kind of “washy”, when I compare it to my old UFIP. When I try to describe this sound further I would say, that the Istanbul Agop 13″ Xist Dry Dark delivers less attack and more sustain. As an analogy to the look there is a dirty lofi-component in the sound, while my reference, The UFIP Hi-Hat, produces a very crisp and clear Hifi-sound. I can not recognise a big difference regarding volume, but the Istanbul emphasizes a totally other frequency-spectrum. I have not played many different Hi Hats, but I am sure, that you can find similar sounding Hi Hats from different brands. But here we have tonal opposites. I could go on describing the sound of the Istanbul, but it might be more interesting to hear it yourself. So I have recorded a short demonstration of both Hi Hats side by side. All examples were recorded with one single Ribbon-mic, which was not moved during the performance. In this way you should get a good overview. The sound-examples were not processed. You hear the pure mic-signal. Keep in mind, that the ribbon-mic delivers warm highs. If you record with a condenser you will get more clarity and brightness.
While the solo-performance of the Istanbul Hi Hat is interesting, it is even more interesting how it sounds with the whole drum-set together. At the end of the video I have recorded two little examples with a simple groove. Again you hear the Istanbul and the UFIP in comparison. In the beginning I told you, that I have looked for I Hi Hat, which is not overpowering other parts of the drum-set, especially the snare. When I listened to the examples I was flabbergasted how the choice of the Hihat is effecting the sound of the snare. I state, that the snare sounds totally depending on the combination with the two Hi Hats. I guess, that this is caused by frequency collisions. For my taste the snare sounds much better, when it is combined with the Istanbul. Though the Istanbul has the same or even more volume than the UFIP (keep in mind, that the UFIP is smaller), it seems less “in the way” of the snare-sound. I am very pleased with the result and will definitely keep it.
If you have problems with an unbalanced kit-sound, the Istanbul Agop 13″ Xist Dry Dark could be your solution. Built for a warm and dry sound it does not clash with the snare as much as standard Hi Hats. On the other hand it is not made for crisp and brilliant sounds. Stylistically I would use it for everything Jazz, Rock, Alternative and Metal, but I can not imagine it in a Funk or Fusion-context. This Hi Hat is on the extreme side of the sound-spectrum, so I guess drummers will love or hate it. Regarding the price-point Istanbul is offering very high quality at a very good price. I got it as a B-stock for 205 Euros, the regular price is 235 Euro. When you check out competitors with similar tonal characteristics like the Meinl 13″ Byzance Dark Hi Hat you have to pay much more.
- Review written by heartscore ("Review: Istanbul Agop 13″ Xist Dry Dark Hi-Hat", website, December 1, 2023)
Artist/song where it can be heard:
