On the Correlation of Cymbals’ Vibrational Behavior and Manufacturing Processes

The complex frequency domain assurance criterion is here applied for the comparison of a pristine to an altered state of a vibrating system. The criterion was originally proposed for the detection of defects in vibrating structures, while in later research studies it has been successfully used in musical acoustics. In this paper, we evaluate the differences in the vibrational behavior of finished and non-finished cymbals by adopting the proposed correlation criterion. Since idiophones are playable and produce sounds after any manufacturing process, the methodology presented correlates the vibrational state of a cymbal, at any stage of manufacturing, to a reference pristine cymbal. The evaluation of the cymbals is performed by the comparison of finished cymbals with semi-finished and blank 8-inch cymbals of the same material. The correlation criterion is applied to the vibrational measurements of blank, semi-finished, and finished B8 and B20 cymbals. Additionally, commercially available finished cymbals of the same material and geometrical characteristics are introduced in this correlation study. The measuring methodology and the vibration symmetry are discussed, and valuable results and conclusions are presented. The proposed methodology highlights the influence of the manufacturing processes of forming, hammering, and finishing on the vibrational behavior of cymbals, offering manufacturers and drummers a quantifiable criterion for evaluating cymbals’ vibroacoustic performance. Representative evaluations of blanks, semi-finished, and finished cymbals demonstrate the capability of the correlation criterion to monitor, identify, and visualize the vibrational state of any cymbal compared to a pristine reference. This enables the development of a novel methodology for both manufacturers and musicians.