Pro Cymbals at Reasonable Pricing | DCP Exclusive Avenir

You know what drummers love? Great-sounding high-end cymbals.

You know what they don't love? Great-sounding high-end cymbal prices.

That simple problem is one of the reasons Avenir Cymbals exists.

At Drum Center of Portsmouth, we've spent years helping drummers find the right cymbals for their sound, playing style, and budget. We love high-end, top-of-the-line, exotic cymbals just as much as anybody. But we also know that not every drummer wants — or needs — to spend a fortune building a professional cymbal setup.

That's where Avenir comes in.

Avenir is a DCP-exclusive cymbal line designed around a straightforward concept: bring the sounds drummers actually want at a more attainable price.

These aren't meant to be disposable beginner cymbals or inexpensive alternatives that you'll immediately want to replace. The higher Avenir lines are professional-grade cymbals designed to give players musical, distinctive sounds while keeping the investment reasonable.

And with nine different Avenir cymbal series covering everything from low-pitched and earthy to bright, versatile, articulate, and hard-hitting sounds, there's a lot to explore.

Avenir Cymbals are a DCP-exclusive line of created to offer drummers professional-sounding cymbals at prices that are easier to justify.

The idea came from listening to customers.

At Drum Center of Portsmouth, we carry plenty of high-end gear, and we're proud to do so. But being a great drum store also means being able to outfit drummers across a wide range of budgets.

A drummer doesn't have to spend thousands of dollars on cymbals to have a great-sounding kit.

That's the philosophy behind Avenir.

The higher lines are professional-grade cymbals and come with a two-year warranty, and the cymbals are available both individually and in packs. That gives players the flexibility to either build a complete setup or upgrade one cymbal at a time.

And that's important because cymbals are incredibly personal.

One drummer might want a dark, dry crash with a fast decay. Another might need something bright enough to cut through a hard-rock band. Someone else might be recording in a controlled studio environment and want a cymbal that doesn't overwhelm the microphones.

Avenir is designed to cover all of those situations.

One of the most exciting things about the Avenir cymbal lineup is that the series aren't simply variations of the same cymbal.

Each one has a specific purpose.

The collection includes:

• Avenir Expression
• Avenir Earth
• Avenir Shadow
• Avenir Sentry
• Avenir Amber
• Avenir Vantage
• Avenir Spectrum
• Avenir Modern
• Avenir Emerge

Together, these Avenir cymbal series cover an enormous range of sounds and playing applications.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes each Avenir cymbal series unique.

The Avenir Expression Cymbal Series is one of the most interesting options for drummers who want a cymbal that responds easily, even when played delicately.

Avenir Expression cymbals have a somewhat flatter profile and a lower-tension feel. That gives them a wider, more open character and allows them to speak without requiring a heavy stroke.

That's especially useful for players who rely on dynamics.

A cymbal shouldn't need to be hit as hard as possible before it starts sounding musical. Avenir Expression cymbals are designed to open up with a lighter touch while still providing a full, punchy sound.

The core Expression pack features:

• 14-inch hi-hats
• 16-inch crash
• 18-inch crash
• 20-inch ride

The series also includes additional models, including splashes and Chinas.

One particularly interesting model showcased in the video is the 18-inch Target China. It's an effect cymbal with a distinctive voice and plenty of character — the kind of cymbal that can quickly become one of the favorites in a drummer's setup.

The overall Expression concept is simple: if you're looking for a uniform, lower-tension sound with a medium-to-lower pitch that still cuts, this is a series worth checking out.

If Expression is about openness and response, Avenir Earth Cymbal Series takes things into much darker territory.

The Avenir Earth Cymbal Series was created around the idea of achieving a lower-pitched, earthy, unlathed cymbal sound while still allowing the cymbal to open up.

That's not always an easy combination.

Very dry cymbals can sometimes become too controlled or limited in their response. The Avenir Earth Cymbals are designed to retain openness while delivering a deep, heavily hammered character.

The sound is fuzzy, dark, earthy, and distinctly analog.

For drummers interested in modern recording sounds, there's another major advantage: Earth cymbals have a noticeable built-in gate-like quality. That makes them particularly interesting for the increasingly popular low-fi recording aesthetic.

The core Earth pack includes:

• 14-inch hi-hats
• 16-inch crash
• 18-inch crash
• 20-inch ride

The video also showcases a 20-inch crash, with additional models available throughout the series.

If you want cymbals with a deep, fuzzy, vintage-inspired personality rather than a polished, traditional cymbal sound, Earth is one of the most distinctive Avenir options.

The Avenir Shadow Cymbal Series sits between Earth and Expression.

That's an important part of its identity.

The Avenir Shadow Cymbal Series combines partial lathing with heavier hammering, giving these cymbals a darker sound while retaining more attack and cut than the Earth Series.

They also have what can almost be described as a built-in gate. They speak, provide the sound you want, and then get out of the way quickly.

That's where the "Shadow" name comes from.

The sound follows you around like a shadow — present when you need it, but not hanging around unnecessarily.

The core Shadow pack includes:

• 14-inch hi-hats
• 16-inch crash
• 18-inch crash
• 20-inch ride

The video also features a 20-inch crash.

For players who want more snap and attack than an extremely dry cymbal provides, but still want quick decay and a dark overall character, the Avenir Shadow Cymbal Series occupies a very useful middle ground.

If you don't want to overthink your cymbal selection, the Avenir Sentry Cymbal Series may be exactly what you're looking for.

Sentry was designed as an all-purpose cymbal line that can work across a wide variety of musical styles.

The construction features a split lathing pattern, with part of the cymbal lathed and another portion left unlathed. That gives Sentry a combination of control, brightness, and definition.

The result is a classic cymbal character with a crystalline cut and a penetrating bell.

The raw, unlathed bell is another particularly appealing part of the design.

The standard Sentry pack consists of:

• 14-inch hi-hats
• 16-inch crash
• 18-inch crash
• 20-inch ride

The video also showcases a 19-inch Target Crash, which adds another color to the setup.

If you play multiple styles, gig regularly, or simply want one cymbal setup that can cover a lot of musical ground, Sentry is one of the easiest Avenir series to recommend.

One of the biggest takeaways from the video isn't necessarily one of the full cymbal packs.

It's the effect cymbals.

If you're not ready to replace your entire cymbal setup, adding a single splash or China can be one of the easiest ways to change the sound of your kit.

This is also one of Shane's favorite parts of the Avenir lineup.

The Avenir splashes are particularly compelling because they offer clean, professional-sounding effect cymbal voices at a lower price than many competing options.

Instead of replacing four or five cymbals, you can add one small splash or an interesting China and immediately introduce another tonal color.

For drummers working within a budget, that's a smart way to upgrade.

The Avenir Amber Cymbal Series takes a hybrid approach.

It's designed to sit somewhere between the classic "9s" sound and a more contemporary dry cymbal sound.

That combination gives Amber a particularly attractive recording character.

These cymbals have beautiful fundamental frequencies and an immediate response. When you really lean into them, however, they reveal a subtle amount of complexity.

That balance is what makes them so interesting.

They're responsive without being one-dimensional. They're controlled without becoming lifeless.

The core Amber pack includes:

• 14-inch hi-hats
• 16-inch crash
• 18-inch crash
• 20-inch ride

The video also adds a 19-inch China to the setup.

For a drummer looking for a cymbal set that feels immediate but still rewards deeper playing, Amber is one of the most compelling choices in the Avenir lineup.

The Avenir Vantage Cymbal Series is the sibling to Amber, but there are important differences.

Vantage uses a slightly different lathing pattern, including tighter lathing toward the edge, and the bells are lathed.

That gives Vantage more high-end presence.

The result is an extremely versatile cymbal series with a broad musical tonal spectrum.

And that's where Vantage really shines.

Imagine a drummer who plays jazz one night, hard rock the next, and perhaps something in between on the weekend. A cymbal collection that works beautifully for one genre isn't necessarily going to work equally well for all of them.

Vantage is designed with that type of player in mind.

The standard pack includes:

• 14-inch hi-hats
• 16-inch crash
• 18-inch crash
• 20-inch ride

A 19-inch crash is also showcased in the video.

They're not overly heavy, either, which helps maintain their versatility.

For gigging drummers who need a cymbal setup capable of moving from jazz to hard rock or metal, Vantage is one of the strongest all-purpose options in the Avenir family.

The name says a lot about Avenir Spectrum Cymbal Series.

This series is designed to cover a wide range of musical applications.

Spectrum cymbals are particularly well suited to controlled musical environments where you want a cymbal that remains expressive and musical without becoming overly loud or clangy.

They're not necessarily the first choice for an extremely loud metal or heavy-rock situation where maximum volume is the priority.

Instead, think about environments where nuance matters.

A recording studio. A smaller stage. A controlled live setup. A drummer playing music where the cymbal needs to blend into the overall arrangement rather than dominate it.

The standard Spectrum pack includes:

• 14-inch hi-hats
• 16-inch crash
• 18-inch crash
• 20-inch ride

The video also showcases a 20-inch Spectrum Crash.

If you need one line that can cover a broad range of musical territory while maintaining a controlled and musical character, Spectrum is a strong candidate.

Some drummers simply hit harder.

And that's okay.

The Avenir Modern Cymbal Series is designed with those players in mind.

Modern cymbals provide more cut and presence, giving harder hitters additional headroom when they need it.

But there's an important detail: they still respond well at lower volumes.

That versatility was a deliberate part of the Avenir design philosophy. These cymbals aren't supposed to work in only one volume range.

Modern features a distinctive split lathing pattern and a slightly different bell profile. The design gives the cymbals additional bell presence and penetration.

The standard pack contains:

• 14-inch hi-hats
• 16-inch crash
• 18-inch crash
• 20-inch ride

A 20-inch crash is also showcased as an optional addition.

If you need a cymbal that can handle a little more punishment while retaining musicality, Modern is worth exploring.

The final series in the lineup takes Avenir in a different direction.

The Avenir Emerge Cymbal Series is designed for entry-level drummers.

Beginner cymbals have traditionally had a reputation for sounding like "pie plates" — functional, but not particularly musical.

Emerge is intended to be a step above that.

These cymbals use a brass alloy and are somewhat heavier than some other brass cymbals in their category. That additional weight gives them more volume and cut.

For a beginning drummer who wants to play along with friends, rehearse with a band, or simply needs enough projection to be heard, that can be extremely useful.

The standard Emerge pack includes:

• 14-inch hi-hats
• 16-inch crash
• 18-inch crash
• 20-inch ride

There are also 10-inch and 12-inch splashes available.

Emerge isn't trying to pretend that a beginner cymbal is suddenly a premium professional cymbal. Instead, it's designed to provide a more musical and useful starting point without forcing a new drummer to spend a fortune.

That's an important part of the Avenir philosophy: there should be something for everybody.

With nine different Avenir series, how do you decide which one is right for you?

The easiest place to start is with the sound you want from your cymbals. Each Avenir series has its own personality, from dark and earthy to bright and cutting, so thinking about your playing style and the musical environments you play in can help narrow things down.

The Avenir Earth Series is the choice for drummers who love deep, raw, low-pitched cymbal sounds. These cymbals have a heavily hammered, earthy character with plenty of openness, giving you that fuzzy, analog quality that works especially well for modern recording applications.

They also have a quick response and a natural gate-like quality, so the sound doesn't linger unnecessarily. If you're chasing a lo-fi, dry, vintage-inspired cymbal sound with plenty of personality, Earth is a great place to start.

The Avenir Shadow Series sits between Earth and Expression, making it a great choice if you want darkness without giving up attack and definition. The partial lathing and heavier hammering give these cymbals a darker voice while allowing them to provide more snap and cut.

The Avenir Shadow cymbals also get out of the way quickly after you play them. That makes them particularly useful when you want a cymbal to make an impact without creating a long, uncontrolled wash. If you like dark cymbals but still want plenty of articulation, Shadow is worth exploring.

Expression is designed for drummers who want their cymbals to respond easily, even when they're playing with a lighter touch. The flatter profile and lower-tension feel allow these cymbals to open up without requiring you to hit them hard.

They have a broad, full sound with a medium-to-lower pitch and enough cut to remain present in a mix. Expression is especially appealing to dynamic players who want their cymbals to react to everything from subtle playing to more powerful accents.

The Avenir Sentry Cymbal Series is designed to be one of the most versatile options in the lineup. Its split lathing pattern provides a nice balance between control, brightness, and wash, while the raw bell delivers a strong, penetrating sound.

These are cymbals you can take into a wide variety of musical situations without having to worry about them feeling out of place. If you play multiple genres or simply want one dependable cymbal setup that can cover a lot of ground, Sentry is an excellent all-purpose choice.

Avenir Amber combines characteristics of a classic cymbal sound with a more contemporary, dry approach. The result is a beautiful fundamental tone with an immediate response and just enough complexity to keep things interesting when you really lean into the cymbal.

These cymbals are particularly appealing to players who want something that records beautifully but still feels lively under the sticks. If you want a cymbal with character, subtlety, and a strong fundamental sound, Amber is a very compelling option.

Avenir Vantage was designed with versatility in mind, making it particularly well suited to drummers who play a lot of different styles. The series has a broad musical spectrum and enough high-end presence to work in everything from jazz to hard rock and metal.

They're also not overly heavy, which helps maintain their responsiveness and versatility. If you're a gigging drummer who needs one cymbal setup that can adapt to different bands, venues, and musical situations, Vantage is one of the safest choices in the Avenir lineup.

The Avenir Spectrum Series is designed for drummers who want musical, controlled cymbals without excessive volume. They aren't necessarily the first choice for situations where maximum projection is required, such as very loud metal or heavy-rock performances.

Instead, Spectrum shines in environments where balance and musicality are more important. Recording studios, smaller venues, and controlled live settings are all situations where these cymbals can really make sense. If you want cymbals that blend naturally into the music rather than dominating it, Spectrum is worth a listen.

Avenir Modern is designed for drummers who need a little more power and presence from their cymbals. They offer additional cut and headroom, making them particularly useful for harder hitters and louder musical situations.

At the same time, they remain responsive at lower volumes, which adds an important element of versatility. The distinctive lathing pattern and bell profile also give Modern cymbals additional bell presence and penetration. If you need cymbals that can handle more without becoming one-dimensional, Modern is a strong choice.

The Avenir Emerge Series is designed specifically for beginning drummers who need a complete cymbal setup without making a major investment. Unlike many basic brass cymbals that can sound thin or overly metallic, Emerge is designed to provide more musicality, volume, and cut.

The somewhat heavier construction also gives these cymbals plenty of projection, making them useful for practicing with other musicians or playing in louder environments. If you're just starting out and want a practical set of cymbals that gives you room to grow, Emerge is a great place to begin.

And remember, you don't have to choose just one Avenir series.

One of the best things about having so many different tonal options is that you can mix and match them to create a setup that's completely your own. You might prefer the dark character of an Earth crash, the articulation of a Shadow ride, and the versatility of Vantage hi-hats.

You can also start small. If your current cymbal setup is already working well, adding an Avenir splash, China, or effect cymbal can give you an entirely new sound without replacing everything.

Ultimately, there isn't one "best" Avenir series for every drummer. The best choice is the one that complements your playing, your music, and the sound you're trying to create.

There's an important distinction between cheap cymbals and reasonably priced professional cymbals.

Cheap cymbals are generally designed around keeping the price as low as possible.

Avenir takes a different approach.

The goal is to provide the sounds drummers want while keeping the cost more attainable.

That means an experienced drummer can add a new crash, China, ride, or splash without necessarily spending premium-cymbal money.

It also means a developing drummer can start building a more serious cymbal setup without immediately making a huge financial commitment.

For DCP, that balance is important.

We want to sell great gear to drummers who have unlimited budgets, but we also want to be the store of choice for the drummer who has to think carefully about every purchase.

Both players deserve great sound.

Cymbals don't exist in isolation.

The drums underneath them, the heads, tuning, room, microphones, and playing style all contribute to the finished sound.

One of the DCP-exclusive drum sets featured alongside this Avenir presentation is the Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch 4pc Drum Set in Piano White.

A good drum kit gives you the foundation, but cymbals determine a huge portion of the overall personality of a kit.

That's why choosing cymbals based on the music you actually play is so important.

The goal behind Avenir is refreshingly simple: give drummers access to the sounds they want without making them pay traditional high-end cymbal prices.

And after exploring nine different series, it's clear that Avenir isn't just one sound.

It's a complete family of sounds.

Expression offers openness and low-tension response. Earth brings deep, fuzzy, lo-fi-inspired character. Shadow sits between dark and expressive. Sentry delivers all-purpose versatility. Amber combines classic and contemporary characteristics. Vantage is built for broad musical applications and gigging. Spectrum emphasizes controlled musicality. Modern provides additional cut and headroom. Emerge gives beginning drummers a more musical alternative to basic brass cymbals.

There's something here for nearly every drummer.

Whether you're building your first serious setup, adding one effect cymbal to an existing kit, putting together a gigging rig, or simply looking for a new sound, Avenir gives you a lot of room to experiment without requiring a premium-cymbal budget.

And that's exactly what we wanted.

At Drum Center of Portsmouth, we love high-end cymbals. But we also love helping drummers find great gear at a price that makes sense.