Sabian Radia 9" Nano Hats

Group: Hi-Hats
Type: Nano Hats
Size: 9 Inch
Series: Radia
Weight: Top: 340g / Bottom: 697g
Years of production: 2009* - ?
Sound File: Radia 7" & 9" Nano Hats
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "The top cymbal is medium weight with a raw bell; the bottom is heavier and flat. Both cymbals are hand hammered, with raw-finish bands attractively surrounding a central band of etched gold.

The 9" Radia Nano hats are almost big enough to recreate those early days of swing when Buddy Rich played ultra-small hats. Alternatively, both the 7" and 9" pairs suggest a stint of nifty Jojo Mayer drum'n'bass-style beats.

The fact the bottom cymbals are so heavy makes the Nanos surprisingly full-bodied, with plenty of volume and zing. The 9" pair is darker, thicker and warmer than the 7". The 9" open sound is more of a 'tahh' than a 'tiss', while the closed sound is crisp. The 7" pair is quite different - open they emit a sort of high-pitched scream, the result of the bell taking up most of the top cymbal.

Be careful where you position your clutch wing nut - if your aim's not true, you'll hit that as often as the cymbal."

Review written by Geoff Nicholls ("Sabian Alu Bell And Vault Collection Radia Nano Hats review - Unusual and cool percussive additions", Musicradar.com, July 27, 2009)

Review: "Designed for prog/fusion legend Terry Bozzio, Vault Radia Nano hats are small (7" or 9") and possess the same rustic qualities as the rest of the distinctive Radia line. The finish is un- lathed, with a raw metal bell and edge and brushed metal on most of the bow of the cymbal. The top cymbal in each pair is the normal shape, while the bottom is flat. These tiny hi-hats are surprisingly heavy for their size, and they produced clear, precise bell tones when hit individually, especially the flat bottom cymbals.

When I arranged the 7" hats on my hi-hat stand, they wouldn't quite close all the way. Because of the hats' small size and flat bot- tom, the clutch hit the bottom cymbal before the pair was completely closed. I didn't have this problem with the 9" Nano hats, however. But if you plan to set the 7" pair on a standard hi-hat stand, you should test them before you make the purchase. In my case, I had to get a new clutch with a slimmer design. Because they wouldn't close on my hi-hat stand, I tried the 7" set in a fixed position on a cymbal stand, which worked fine. With this setup, I was able to loosen or tighten the tension between the cymbals using the stand's wing nut. The tiny plates had a cool sound. When held together tightly, they produced a sharp, defined attack with absolutely no sustain. I preferred loosening the wing nut tension a little so I could get some sizzle out of the cymbals. But even then they still had very little sustain. I could imagine using this sound in electronic music, where special- effects hi-hat sounds are appropriate.

In my opinion, the 9" Nano hats were more useful. They had a similar overall sound to the 7" pair, but with more depth. I can see using these in a fixed position on the ride cymbal side of my kit for some gigs. They were fun to play on a hi-hat stand too-the foot "chick" was nicely pronounced-but they were limit- ed in what they could do. Again, I preferred the "swoosh" sound they produced when held together loosely.

Obviously, these tiny hi-hat cymbals are in the "specialty" category, and they aren't very versatile. But they do have a particular sound that could be useful when the music calls for a little something different."

Review written by Anthony Riscica ("Sabian Artisan Vault and Radia Nano Hi-Hats", Modern Drummer, July 2009, pp. 38-39)

Artist/song where it can be heard:

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Source:
¹ Sabian Cymbal and Sound Guide 2009