Dry Ice on Cymbals
- Thread starter Niah2
- Start date
Gerhard Westphalen
Mastering Engineer (occasionally Scoring Mixer)
I've bought some at Praxair which mainly sells and refills compressed gas cylinders (for labs, universities, factories, etc.).
There aren't really any precautions. It's pretty harmless. Just don't touch it. Normal working gloves are fine. If you want to keep it overnight (if you have a lot, it can last through the night) then make sure it's in a well ventilated place.
There aren't really any precautions. It's pretty harmless. Just don't touch it. Normal working gloves are fine. If you want to keep it overnight (if you have a lot, it can last through the night) then make sure it's in a well ventilated place.
The heating differential could possibly harm the cymbals. I'm not sure; that's just speculation. When one area of metal cools rapidly and shrinks while other areas are at room temperature, there's a chance that the metal could crack. I've read that some people have cryo-treated cymbals, and claim that the process alters their micro-crystalline structure (and sound); I don't know if it does or not. But if when they do that, I would guess that they more or less treat the whole cymbal at once.
Again, the risk of harm is just speculation on my part. But I sure wouldn't try it on a nice old K Zildjian. Maybe try it on on a Camber or Sabian B8 or a Zildjian ZHT (something cheap).
Again, the risk of harm is just speculation on my part. But I sure wouldn't try it on a nice old K Zildjian. Maybe try it on on a Camber or Sabian B8 or a Zildjian ZHT (something cheap).
You can get a nasty frostbite burn if to try to hold it. I used to see dry ice blocks in a frozen food warehouse. They actually wrapped it newspaper to make it last a bit longer. Pressing a coin flat against it yields a surprising shrieking sound.
Cool.
That's exactly the sound I want.
timprebble
Sound designer, Composer, Sound library developer
It is fun and worth experimenting with lots of different metal objects - I recorded lots for my ENTROPY sound library:
Gerhard Westphalen
Mastering Engineer (occasionally Scoring Mixer)
I don't think you could for this. If you make it by depressurizing a gas, it'll end up like snow. You won't be able to make chunks that you could put on the cymbal. The one I bought was rather large pellets. ~0.5" x 2" cylinders.
You can also get some nice sounds by picking it up with metal tongs and pliers and then change the sound based on how tight you hold it.
chimuelo
Star Of Stage & Screen
That’s fantastic footage of true dedication.
Reminds me of the Emulator Sampling Days.
Originally checked this thread out because of the Strymon Timelines’ kick ass preset called Dry Ice.
Instead I learned a few things.
Coolness
X-Bassist
Senior Member
Thanks, but I really want the real thing because I have overused this library already
Is there a cymbology 2?
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X-Bassist
Senior Member
Not yet. But there are other dry ice samples worth looking at. I don't have this yet but it's on my list.Thanks, but I really want the real thing because I have overused this library already
https://www.asoundeffect.com/sound-library/ultrasonic-dry-ice/
Being recordings at 192k, you can pitch it down drastically and get some new stuff. When they have another sale I may grab it (sometimes they discount by 25-50%). But it might be a bit raw and not as musical as one would hope.
If you do decide to record (and can spare the cymbals) try to use the best condenser mic you have (stereo pair or stereo shotgun?) you can and record at a high sample rate (96k or 192k) to give yourself flexibility down the road. Also try different metals, a metal plate, pans, pots, silverware, cookware, hubcaps, anything metal can have an interesting ring when flash frozen.
Considering there is so little competition you could probably sell a decent number or instruments made from the samples. Or it would be great to share them (I would build an instrument for it for free
)
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Not yet. But there are other dry ice samples worth looking at. I don't have this yet but it's on my list.
https://www.asoundeffect.com/sound-library/ultrasonic-dry-ice/
Being recordings at 192k, you can pitch it down drastically and get some new stuff. When they have another sale I may grab it (sometimes they discount by 25-50%). But it might be a bit raw and not as musical as one would hope.
If you do decide to record (and can spare the cymbals) try to use the best condenser mic you have (stereo pair or stereo shotgun?) you can and record at a high sample rate (96k or 192k) to give yourself flexibility down the road. Also try different metals, a metal plate, pans, pots, silverware, cookware, hubcaps, anything metal can have an interesting ring when flash frozen.
Considering there is so little competition you could probably sell a decent number or instruments made from the samples. Or it would be great to share them (I would build an instrument for it for free
Thanks for the tips.
Was unaware of this library, sounds really cooool.
Do you have any recommendation for a condenser microphone? I only have a SM58, although I usually record everything with an old Zoom H4n.
Still having a hard time finding dry ice for sale here in Portugal though :-\
X-Bassist
Senior Member
Many times I end up using a Sennhieser 416 for recording since they have a good frequency response and don't have to be super close to pick up a good sound. Many film and TV productions use them for dialog recording on the set, so renting one is pretty easy (in LA they rent for maybe $50/day?). I also have a Sanken Stereo shotgun I'll use from time to time for a stereo recording or a Neumann U87 if I want a better bass response. Even a Neumann KM184 (or a pair) can work great for getting those extra high frequencies.
Perhaps do some tests first with your zoom and see what you get. I have a 4 channel that I'll plug extra mics into and usually my custom mics win hands down, but the onboard mics can work great as a room mic when placed correctly.
But first I would make sure you have all the materials you need, many size cymbals, pieces of metal, kitchen stuff, a good studio space or quiet room. Getting some dry ice to test with is also key. Scientific suppliers usually have great stuff, but at a higher price. You have to see if you can find a supplier that is relatively inexpensive and consistent. Perhaps this would help:
(broken link removed)
Some dry ice basics:
https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-buy-dry-ice-for-halloween-and-handle-it-safely-236785
Perhaps do some tests first with your zoom and see what you get. I have a 4 channel that I'll plug extra mics into and usually my custom mics win hands down, but the onboard mics can work great as a room mic when placed correctly.
But first I would make sure you have all the materials you need, many size cymbals, pieces of metal, kitchen stuff, a good studio space or quiet room. Getting some dry ice to test with is also key. Scientific suppliers usually have great stuff, but at a higher price. You have to see if you can find a supplier that is relatively inexpensive and consistent. Perhaps this would help:
(broken link removed)
Some dry ice basics:
https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-buy-dry-ice-for-halloween-and-handle-it-safely-236785
timprebble
Sound designer, Composer, Sound library developer
Recording at high sample rates you are much better off to use a mic with an extended frequency response such as the Sennheiser MKH80X0 mics (eg 8020 has response from 10Hz to 60khz) or the Sanken C0 100k (which goes up to 100kHz)
