Best Hi-Hats for Mathcore 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
What hi-hats are used in mathcore? Discover what Ben Koller, Blake Richardson, and Danny Carey actually play — Zildjian K & A Custom, Meinl Byzance Extra Dry, and Paiste Signature — from budget to pro, built for odd-time precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hi-hats does Ben Koller use?
Ben Koller of Converge plays 14" Zildjian K and A Custom Hi-Hats, a setup that anchored mathcore's founding cymbal sound on Converge's landmark "Jane Doe" (2001).
What hi-hats does Blake Richardson use?
Blake Richardson of Between the Buried and Me plays 14" Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats, handling BTBAM's genre-hopping technicality with complex, dark tone.
What size hi-hats for mathcore?
14"-15" covers the mathcore range. Ben Koller and Blake Richardson both use 14", while some drummers run a 15" pair for extra control on complex, syncopated riffing.
What's the best budget hi-hats for mathcore?
The Zildjian A Series Hi-Hats (€110-160) share brand DNA with Ben Koller's A Custom setup at a fraction of the price. The Meinl HCS Hi-Hats (€50-70) are the most accessible true-budget option for learning mathcore's odd-time chick vocabulary.