The Sabian HHX 18" Studio Crash is a workhorse "chameleon" of a cymbal, with a loud and clear attack and a balanced sustain that fits right into nearly any recording situation. The Studio Crash's darker tonality lends itself well to brighter modern condenser microphones that are typically used as drum overheads. Don't think about pigeon-holing this cymbal, though -- it works equally well on stage thanks to its impressive volume and ability to cut through loud front-of-house mixes.