I was recently asked to participate in an experiment with a friend who has a cryogenics business. He treats motor parts, guns, horns... basically anything metal. But he'd never tried cymbals, and I was curious, too.

After treatment #1, the cryo, I couldn't hear an audible difference, and the cymbals certainly looked the same. But I had made a recording of each prior to the treatment, and as identical as possible a recording afterwards, and found that the treated cymbals were about 3 or 4% (roughly a semitone) higher in pitch than before! Again, I couldn't tell just by listening, but there was most certainbly a difference.

Treatment #2 is a heat thing, and we're not there yet, but soon. :)

Anyway, if cryo has such a minor affect on a cymbal, extreme cold weather shouldn't be a problem.

Bermuda

Interesting experiment.

The cryogenic treatment of metal parts is supposed to improve their fatigue performance (at least that is my understanding).

Perhaps the pitch change also indicates the cymbal has a higher degree of durability?

I'm interested in the heat treat portion, but if it gets too warm, I think the sound will change dramatically, as the stress is relieved in the cymbal.

Thanks for sharing!

Definitely not a good idea, but they will be fine.....Walking