Ok - for some of you, this may be a bit of preaching to the choir. At the same time, still try this and make sure you realize how to do this.
What I am about to share with you can be a tremendous aid in evaluating cymbals (and drums).
You ever be researching for drums or cymbals and they have a video for you to listen to (and view) for your consideration? This is either on YT or any other video source online. Well, you check out the video and it helps SOME, but not entirely, as you wish you could get a better listen to it or you really want to know how it can sound recorded and EQed? fact is, some cymbals sound ok when straight and dry - no EQ applied - but then once you EQ it really brings it to life and you discover how amazing recording instruments they could be (I am thinking mostly cymbals here, like HHs).
Well, you CAN apply some EQ to your listen while you are watching this video. Try This.
While viewing this video:
**I am using Windows 7 and this may differ depending on OS or even computer.
1) Click on your speaker (lower right corner)
2) Click on the speaker itself (towards the top) This will bring up the Speaker Properties.
3) Click on the Enhancements tap
4) Click on Equalizer in your list of enhancements.
5) Select a preset - this will give you several EQ preset listening options. Want to have more control?
6) Click the button on the right (box with 3 dots in it) This will allow you to manually the EQ yourself - then save the preset if you wish.
So here is the thing. I used to be frustrated when the video recording sounded very poor and I could not really get a sense of what that (cymbal, whatever instrument being demo'ed) could do and sound like. This was a pleasant surprise, as I used to think I would have to download the video, then apply EQ in my player's program when playing the downloaded video. This discovery - NO, you can apply EQ while listening to that soundfile or watching that demo video.
A couple notes must be made here:
1) As most engineers know - you are limited by your source - what you are given to work with. The initial recording quality (mics, recording device, etc.) will give you your parameters.
2) The QUALITY setting in the video will make a significant difference. When sampling use the highest quality possible, even if that means you will have to let it load (buffer) for a while before you get to listen to it (do this by pausing it and letting it load before proceeding).
3) It is always good to know what it sounds like FLAT with no EQ, as that is what you will get live (no micing) and also it serves as a very good benchmark/control group type reference for comparison. Not sure if I explained that adequately, but I believe you will understand what I mean. We're drummers afterall :) oh wait....!?! (JKing)
4) When the EQ is applied to your viewing/listening, it applies to everything in the video. While this may seem like common sense, don't forget to remember this when listening to several different pieces (parts of a drumset for example).
5) Finally, I must say....I have several demo videos where I play my entire kit and it is quite remarkable how good that kit is sounding by applying EQ - when I have recorded with ONE MIC ONLY, the one built in to my camera.
Please indeed try this and share your thoughts. I predict that some of you will be pleasantly surprised to discover this - well, at least that is my hope. I like to try to help people with things like this and as musicians, we all need to know things like this (and of course, as I mentioned - some or perhaps even most of you already know this....but perhaps may not be aware that we can easily do this when viewing media on the web?)