When it comes to shaping modern drumming tone, few players have as refined an ear as Todd Sucherman. Known for his precision, musicality, and decades of work with Styx, Todd has long been admired as a drummer who bridges power with taste.

Now, teaming up with Sabian, Todd has created two distinct cymbal lines that capture the full range of his sound — the Spotlight and Redlight series. Each was designed with a specific environment in mind: one for the stage, the other for the studio.

At Drum Center of Portsmouth, we were lucky enough to get our hands on these highly anticipated models. After spending time with both, one thing is clear: these cymbals are as musical and expressive as the artist behind them.

Todd’s idea was simple yet ambitious — he wanted a pair of crash cymbal designs that could handle both the precision of a recording session and the raw intensity of live performance.

That concept became the Redlight and Spotlight series:

• Redlight = for the recording studio (inspired by the “recording light”)
• Spotlight = for the stage (literally, the performance spotlight)
  
  

The Redlight series sits within the HHX family, bringing darker, moodier tones and a controlled attack that records beautifully under microphones. Meanwhile, the Spotlight series joins the AA family, offering more projection, brightness, and shimmer for cutting through the mix on stage.

This dual approach gives working drummers a flexible, cohesive palette — two complementary cymbals designed for two sides of the same career.

The Redlight crashes are an incredible balance of warmth and power. They blend HHX hammering with Artisan-style craftsmanship, producing a voice that’s both sophisticated and raw.

The large bell gives these cymbals extra volume and projection, but what makes them truly special is their slow, musical response. The heavy hammering gives them a buttery feel and slightly delayed bloom — perfect for layering into a mix.

They’re designed for microphone detail — the kind of cymbal that doesn’t just sound great in the room, but even better through studio monitors. Whether it’s a tight, compressed rock track or a jazz fusion session, the Redlight brings character without harshness.

As Shane from Drum Center noted during the demo:

“These are wonderful for microphones — subtle, refined, and full of tone. But don’t mistake that for quiet — they can absolutely roar when you need them to.”

If Redlight is about depth and control, the Spotlight cymbals are all about clarity and power. Sitting within the AA family, they deliver that crisp, focused brightness that Sabian is known for — ideal for high-energy players and live environments.

Their larger unlathed bell provides impressive projection, helping the cymbals cut through loud guitars and stage noise. But unlike some bright cymbals, the Spotlights never sound harsh. The attack is clean, and the decay is quick enough to stay musical, even in smaller venues.

What really stands out is the midrange tonality. Sabian cymbals often carry a distinctive focus in the mids and lows — something other brands struggle to capture. These cymbals project power but still retain tonal warmth, giving drummers the best of both worlds.

Todd’s involvement in this project went far beyond lending his name to a product. Every design decision — from hammering depth to bell size — came from his real-world experience as both a session and touring drummer.

Todd is one of those rare players who can blend subtlety and technicality effortlessly. His touch behind the kit has always been about nuance — knowing how to control dynamics, tone, and texture. The Redlight and Spotlight cymbals reflect that exact balance.

In interviews, Todd has often talked about wanting gear that “responds like an instrument, not a trigger.” That’s exactly what these cymbals achieve — they’re expressive, responsive, and musical. Every strike tells a story, and every accent breathes.

For drummers who idolize players like Simon Phillips, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, or Danny Carey — all masters of tone — Todd’s new cymbals feel like a continuation of that tradition.

To bring out the full tonal character of both cymbal lines, the Drum Center team paired them with a Sonor Vintage Series kit finished in Teak.

Setup:

• 22” bass drum
• 13” rack tom
• 16” floor tom
• 14x8” Compressor snare drum
  
  

The kit was complemented by 15” Artisan Brilliant Hi-Hats and Todd’s own HH Sessions Ride — a perfect foundation for hearing how the new crashes blend with other Sabian voices.

As Shane mentioned during the review:

“That snare just kills — and together with the new Sabians, this setup feels alive. It’s musical, responsive, and perfectly balanced.”

This launch wasn’t just another product drop — Drum Center of Portsmouth played an active role in Sabian’s official release video.

When Sabian asked for studio recommendations, the team suggested The Halo, a world-class recording studio in Westbrook, Maine. The official Redlight launch audio was tracked there using a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech kit provided by Drum Center.

Fun fact: the Drum Center of Portsmouth intro drum loop was also recorded at The Halo — featuring Shane behind the kit. He even handled the final mix for Sabian’s launch video, ensuring every cymbal nuance was captured with precision and depth.

Both cymbal series carry Sabian’s unmistakable craftsmanship, but their personalities couldn’t be more different:

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either — and many drummers will find that owning both gives them the flexibility to handle any gig or session with confidence.

The Redlight and Spotlight cymbals prove that Sabian remains one of the most innovative names in cymbal design. Instead of chasing trends, Sabian continues to build tools that inspire musicians to play more expressively — instruments that serve the music above all else.

With Todd Sucherman’s deep musical insight and Sabian’s unparalleled experience in metalwork, these crashes are destined to become modern classics — the kind of gear that defines a generation of drummers.

To showcase the full sound and dynamic range of the Redlight and Spotlight cymbals, we recorded them using a professional studio microphone setup. Each mic was carefully chosen and positioned to capture the cymbals’ natural shimmer, depth, and response across a variety of playing dynamics.

This approach ensured an accurate and musical representation of both series — from subtle stick definition to explosive crash power — giving you a true sense of how these cymbals sound in a real studio environment.

The Sabian Redlight and Spotlight Crash Cymbals are more than new additions to Sabian’s catalog — they’re a celebration of artistry, precision, and musical expression.

Whether you’re chasing the dark, luxurious tone of the Redlight or the energetic punch of the Spotlight, both deliver the unmistakable Sabian sound Todd Sucherman helped shape.

Experience them for yourself at the Drum Center of Portsmouth — where passion for drums meets world-class service. Explore both series, hear the difference, and find the crashes that match your voice behind the kit.