Since 1984, Paiste has been working with colored cymbals. The first were the Colorsound 5 series, produced in five colors from 1984 to 1986. In the 1990's the Visions series used the same production process, and after playing with it on several other cymbals, the Swiss company finally comes with a complete line in four colors: black, red, blue and purple. All based on the new 900 Series that Paiste also launches in 2017. This is part I in our coverage on the Swiss army of cymbals that Paiste introduced at Winter NAMM 2017.

Paiste has been working with colors selectively the past years. Stewart Copeland's Blue Bell Ride, Aquiles Priester's Giga Bell Ride and Danny Carey's Dry Heavy Ride also feature the secret Paiste color coating. The Color Sound finish was also available for custom orders, including cymbals of Joey Jordison, Tico Torres and Paul Bostaph. With the new Color Sound 900 Paiste makes them available for the public again.

While based on the also new 900 Series, according to Paiste the color coating causes a slightly drier sound, shortens the sustain a bit, and results in a more focused attack. The same flexibility and feel of the 900 Series are present. Within days, we will publish a video article in which the 900 Series are demoed.

All the colors in the 900's have three types of cymbals: the medium weight, the heavy weight, and the accent or effect cymbals.

Color Sound 900 Medium Weight
- 16", 17", 18", 19", 20" Crashes
- 20" and 22" Rides
- 14" Hi-Hat
- 14" Sound Edge Hi-Hat

Color Sound 900 Heavy Weight
- 16", 17", 18", 19", 20" Heavy Crashes
- 20" and 22" Rides
- 24" Mega Ride
- 14" and 15" Heavy Hi-Hats

Color Sound 900 Accent & Effect cymbals
- 10" and 12" Splashes
- 14", 16", 18" Chinas