After their innovative and award-winning Generation X cymbals (winner of the MIPA Musikmesse International Press Award in 2006) Meinl introduced loads of new cymbals and several new percussion instruments at the music industry trade show known as Winter NAMM, held in Anaheim, California. The new cymbals include a Benny Greb Generation X Trash hi-hat and an \'impossible\' Rodney Holmes ride cymbal. Meinl also offered the opportunity to meet with artists such as Thomas Lang, Jason Bittner, and Chris Adler.
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Four is more What matters most with cymbals is the sound. And sound comes from alloys. Only Meinl has four different bronze alloys, offering a wide selection of fundamentally different cymbal sounds.
Byzance series In 2007 Meinl are focussing on the Byzance range, splitting the series into five different sub ranges: Traditional, Brilliant, Dark, Extra Dry and Jazz. Also, they have released loads of new cymbals for the Extra Dry and Jazz ranges, which should firmly put Meinl into the jazz cymbal area. The Jazz cymbals have the old Turkish sound and come in 18” or larger, except for the 14” hi-hats.
Rodney Holmes Spectrum Ride In collaboration with Rodney Holmes, Meinl Cymbals created the \'impossible\' ride cymbal. Rodney wanted a cymbal he could use both with electronic styles and jazz music, as well with indie rock. The result is the 22\" Byzance Dark Spectrum Ride that simply sounds wonderful. A classic elegant sound combined with an aggressive clear projection, this cymbal transcends genres.
HCS cymbals The new Meinl HCS cymbal set-ups and individual cymbals are an entry level cymbal line that combine quality and value. They are made from MS63 alloy for a warm, harmonic and balanced sound. They offer the best possible sounds at an affordable price.
Soundcaster Custom cymbal series The range of Meinl Soundcaster Custom cymbals is the result of extensive R&D efforts in finding new exciting sounds. The B12 bronze alloy combined with the brilliant finish results in a mirror-like surface for a brighter, richer, and more brilliant sound, yet with a controlled amount of high frequencies. This year Meinl introduced a few more cymbals in the Soundcaster range as well.
Meinl Percussion: String cajons New within Meinl’s range of percussion instruments is the string cajon featuring a built in adjustable sizzle effect. Strings which touch the inside of the frontplate and span from top to bottom, deliver a sensitive rattle that can be adjusted to fit various musical applications. With its frontplate made from birch, its authentic rattling sounds, projecting bass tones and cutting highs, this cajon is beautiful to see and hear.
Pickup cajons Also new are the Meinl Pickup cajons, equipped with the DST pickup microphone and the A1.2 preamp system with a volume control. This active system includes a specially designed preamp, high quality endpin output jack and a durable battery. The structure is light in mass adding very little weight to the instrument. The sound reproduction is amazingly pure and clear. This installed microphone system provides comfortable and easy handling in live situations. Just plug in and play.
Bass pedal cajon Meinl\'s patent pending Bass pedal cajon features another unique innovation. A pedal attached to the cajon adjusts the amount of pressure used to press the snare wires against the front plate, and can even be turned off completely. This system allows the player to change the settings of the snare wires while playing a rhythm with both hands without an interruption. Due to its size being bigger than Meinl\'s standard cajons, the instrument has more projection and bass frequencies.
Palito Another addition to the comprehensive variety of Meinl\'s cajon instruments is PLCA1MB-M, the Meinl Palito. Strings which touch the playing surface on the inside deliver a sensitive sizzle effect that fits to various musical applications. Its playing surface is made of makah-burl, the resonating body of rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.-Arg.) Its compact size and light weight makes it the perfect companion on the road.