# Best Hi-Hats for Mathcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide > What hi-hats are used in mathcore? Discover what Ben Koller, Matt Greiner, Blake Richardson, and Danny Carey actually play — Zildjian K & A Custom, Meinl Byzance Dual & Extra Dry, and Paiste Signature — from budget to pro, built for odd-time precision. **Guide URL:** [https://metalforge.io/guides/best-hi-hats-for-mathcore](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-hi-hats-for-mathcore) **Last Updated:** 2026-07-07 --- ## What Hi-Hats Are Used in Mathcore? Mathcore's odd-time signatures and constantly shifting rhythmic cells demand a hi-hat that stays instantly articulate through sudden accent changes rather than settling into a predictable groove pattern. A hi-hat voiced for straightforward 4/4 patterns can feel sluggish the instant a mathcore riff jumps into 7/8 or 11/16 mid-phrase. Ben Koller of Converge plays 14"-15" Zildjian K and A Custom Hi-Hats, the same fluid, cutting-attack family as his crash setup, giving Converge's "Jane Doe" (2001) its foundational, hardcore-rooted rhythmic control. Matt Greiner of August Burns Red runs 15" Dual Hi-Hats from the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry line, driving August Burns Red's Grammy-nominated technical precision across odd-time integration. Blake Richardson of Between the Buried and Me plays 14" Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats, matching his crash setup's complex, dark tone across BTBAM's genre-hopping technicality. Danny Carey of Tool runs 14" Paiste Signature Hi-Hats, whose famously Fibonacci-structured polyrhythms established a mathematically rigorous drumming standard that directly informed math metal and mathcore's own rhythmic ambitions. This guide breaks down what actually makes a great mathcore hi-hat — response speed, tonal complexity, and versatility across odd-time accents — and recommends specific models across every budget, from a first upgrade to the exact hi-hats these four influential drummers play. **Key Points:** - Ben Koller's Zildjian K and A Custom Hi-Hats define mathcore's founding, hardcore-rooted rhythmic control with Converge - Matt Greiner's Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Dual Hi-Hats bring math metal complexity to mathcore-adjacent metalcore - Blake Richardson's Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats handle BTBAM's genre-hopping technicality with complex, dark tone - Danny Carey's Paiste Signature Hi-Hats bring Tool's Fibonacci-structured rigor that directly informed mathcore's rhythmic ambitions --- ## What Makes a Great Mathcore Hi-Hat? ### ⚡ Instant Response to Odd-Time Accents Mathcore's sudden meter shifts demand a hi-hat that responds instantly rather than settling into a predictable groove pattern. Ben Koller's Zildjian K and A Custom Hi-Hats deliver the fluid, cutting-attack immediacy that hardcore-rooted mathcore needs. **Recommendation:** Bright, fast-attack hi-hats for hardcore-rooted immediacy on sudden accents ### 🎼 Dissonant, Complex Tone Matt Greiner's and Blake Richardson's Meinl Byzance Extra Dry hi-hats deliver dissonant, complex overtones that punctuate mathcore's jarring, unpredictable riffing better than a simple, clean pair. **Recommendation:** Dissonant, complex-voiced B20 hi-hats for punctuating irregular riffing ### 🦶 Chick Control Across Odd Meters Mathcore's shifting time signatures often build around a tight, closed hi-hat chick that has to lock in differently on every beat of an asymmetrical measure. A hi-hat with a mushy, undefined chick undermines the precision the genre demands. **Recommendation:** Medium-heavy bottom cymbal for a crisp, defined chick across shifting meters ### 📏 Diameter 14"-15" hi-hats — the range spanning Koller's, Richardson's, and Greiner's setups — balance quick response with enough surface area for the genre's more progressive, dynamically extreme passages. **Recommendation:** 14" for standard response and versatility; 15" for extra control on complex, syncopated riffing ### 🎯 Ride-to-Hi-Hat Versatility Danny Carey's Paiste Signature hi-hats work whether the band is locked into a steady pulse or navigating a Fibonacci-structured meter change — versatility mathcore's genre-hopping demands. **Recommendation:** Hi-hats that stay defined across both steady grooves and odd-meter passages ### ⚙️ Alloy B20 bronze (Zildjian K/A Custom, Meinl Byzance, Paiste Signature) delivers the complexity and durability mathcore's founding and adjacent drummers rely on. Budget B8 lines are simpler but a genuinely usable starting point. **Recommendation:** B20 bronze for pro-level complexity and durability, B8 for a real budget entry --- ## Top Hi-Hats Used by Mathcore's Founding and Adjacent Drummers ### 1. Zildjian K and A Custom Hi-Hats — Zildjian **Model:** K and A Custom Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €260-340 per pair **Tier:** pro **Material:** B20 (K) / B8-B20 hybrid (A Custom) **Rating:** 4.8/5 Ben Koller of Converge plays 14" Zildjian K and A Custom Hi-Hats, anchoring mathcore's founding cymbal sound on Converge's landmark "Jane Doe" (2001) — an album where Koller's fluid control within apparent rhythmic chaos turned mathcore's unpredictability into genuine musical expression. The K series delivers dark, complex character, while the A Custom series adds brighter, faster-attack response for hardcore-rooted immediacy. Koller's stripped-down setup emphasizes power and response over complexity, a philosophy that suits mathcore's demand for hi-hats that can keep pace with sudden tempo and meter shifts without losing definition. **Pros:** - Ben Koller's proven Converge setup — mathcore's founding cutting attack - K series darkness pairs with A Custom's bright, fast-attack response for versatility - Durable B20/B8 construction built for aggressive touring - Proven across Converge's most influential and studied recordings **Cons:** - Premium K series pricing - A Custom's brighter voicing needs careful pairing for tonal range - Requires familiarity with both series to dial in the intended blend **Who uses it:** - Ben Koller (Converge) — 14" K and A Custom Hi-Hats — mathcore's founding, hardcore-rooted attack **Verdict:** The mathcore founding standard. Koller's K/A Custom blend defines the genre's cutting, hardcore-rooted hi-hat voice. ### 2. Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Dual Hi-Hats — Meinl **Model:** Byzance Extra Dry Dual Hi-Hats 15" **Price range:** €330-420 per pair **Tier:** pro **Material:** B20 Bronze, Hand Hammered **Rating:** 4.7/5 Matt Greiner of August Burns Red plays 15" Dual Hi-Hats from the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry line, bringing math metal's rhythmic complexity into mathcore-adjacent metalcore — his jazz-influenced dynamics and creative use of odd-time integration require a hi-hat complex enough to punctuate August Burns Red's Grammy-nominated technical catalog. The Dual series splits the difference between dark and bright voicing, giving Greiner distinct tonal options for accenting mathcore-adjacent riffing without needing an oversized cymbal collection. **Pros:** - Matt Greiner's proven August Burns Red setup — math metal complexity in mathcore-adjacent metalcore - Dual series balances dark and bright voicing in a single hi-hat pair - 15" diameter gives extra control on complex, syncopated riffing - Proven across August Burns Red's Grammy-nominated, technically demanding catalog **Cons:** - Premium hand-hammered B20 pricing - Complex overtones require careful mixing to avoid clutter in dense arrangements - Individual cymbal variation is significant in hand-hammered lines **Who uses it:** - Matt Greiner (August Burns Red) — 15" Byzance Extra Dry Dual Hi-Hats — math metal complexity in mathcore-adjacent metalcore **Verdict:** Best for jazz-informed technical precision. Greiner's Byzance Dual hi-hats carry math metal complexity into breakdown-driven songwriting. ### 3. Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats — Meinl **Model:** Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €300-380 per pair **Tier:** pro **Material:** B20 Bronze, Hand Hammered **Rating:** 4.6/5 Blake Richardson of Between the Buried and Me plays 14" Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats, handling BTBAM's genre-hopping technicality — dramatic swings between acoustic-adjacent passages and full technical death metal density that mathcore's own unpredictability shares a lineage with. The complex, dark tone gives Richardson room to punctuate BTBAM's odd-time whiplash without a harsh, one-dimensional attack. This setup proves that a complex, musical B20 hi-hat can serve both mathcore-adjacent chaos and moments of genuine melodic restraint within the same composition. **Pros:** - Blake Richardson's proven BTBAM setup — genre-hopping technicality that shares mathcore's unpredictable lineage - Dark, complex tone handles both aggressive and restrained dynamic extremes - Extra Dry finish delivers immediate, controlled chick for odd-time accents - Musical enough to serve composition, not just technical display **Cons:** - Premium hand-hammered B20 pricing - Dark voicing needs a brighter complementary cymbal setup for maximum cutting power - Individual cymbal variation is significant in hand-hammered lines **Who uses it:** - Blake Richardson (Between the Buried and Me) — 14" Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats — genre-hopping mathcore-adjacent technicality **Verdict:** Best for genre-hopping, dynamically extreme mathcore-adjacent material. ### 4. Paiste Signature Hi-Hats — Paiste **Model:** Signature Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €270-350 per pair **Tier:** pro **Material:** CuSn8 Bronze **Rating:** 4.5/5 Danny Carey of Tool plays 14" Paiste Signature Hi-Hats as part of a setup that established a mathematically rigorous drumming standard with Tool's famously Fibonacci-structured polyrhythms on "Lateralus" — a compositional discipline that directly informed math metal and mathcore's own rhythmic ambitions. Carey's hi-hats deliver weight and clarity without excessive wash, treating rhythmic mathematics as compositional structure rather than pure technical showcase — exactly the philosophy mathcore's most ambitious wing aspires to. **Pros:** - Danny Carey's proven Tool setup — the mathematically rigorous standard that informed math metal and mathcore - Delivers weight and clarity without excessive wash - Proven across Tool's most compositionally ambitious, Fibonacci-structured recordings - Treats rhythmic complexity as songwriting structure, not just technical display **Cons:** - Premium CuSn8 bronze pricing - Less immediately cutting than Zildjian A Custom or Meinl Extra Dry - Best suited to mathcore's more progressive, less hardcore-rooted wing **Who uses it:** - Danny Carey (Tool) — 14" Signature Hi-Hats — Fibonacci-structured rigor that informed math metal and mathcore **Verdict:** Best for progressive, compositionally ambitious mathcore-adjacent material. --- ## Best Budget Hi-Hats for Mathcore You don't need a hand-hammered B20 setup to start playing mathcore. These budget hi-hats deliver real fast-attack, dissonant character for developing players. ### Zildjian A Series Hi-Hats — Zildjian **Model:** A Series Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €110-160 per pair **Tier:** budget **Material:** B20 Bronze **Rating:** 4.1/5 The standard Zildjian A series (not A Custom) provides genuine bright, cutting B20 character at a lower price. It shares DNA with Ben Koller's A Custom setup — not as fast-attacking, but real Zildjian quality that works for developing mathcore chops. **Pros:** - Genuine B20 bright character at a lower price - Same family as Ben Koller's A Custom setup - Widely available and easy to expand over time **Cons:** - Less complex, fast-attack voicing than A Custom or K series **Verdict:** Best budget entry into mathcore's bright, cutting Zildjian family sound. ### Meinl HCS Hi-Hats — Meinl **Model:** HCS Hi-Hats 14" **Price range:** €50-70 per pair **Tier:** budget **Material:** Brass **Rating:** 3.9/5 Meinl's entry-level HCS line delivers a genuinely usable, if simpler, hi-hat sound at an accessible price. It won't match the complex, dissonant overtones of Byzance, but it's a legitimate way to start developing mathcore's odd-time chick vocabulary. **Pros:** - Very accessible pricing - Brass construction is durable for developing players - Clear, simple chick response good for learning odd-time accents **Cons:** - Lacks the complex, dissonant overtones of B20 Byzance hi-hats - Less durable long-term than premium bronze alloys **Verdict:** Best true budget option for developing mathcore's odd-time hi-hat vocabulary. --- ## Zildjian K/A Custom vs Meinl Byzance vs Paiste Signature for Mathcore Hi-hat voicing splits mathcore's founding and adjacent drummers into distinct camps. Here's how they compare: **Zildjian K and A Custom (Ben Koller):** - Bright, fast-attack cutting power for hardcore-rooted immediacy - Mathcore's founding, most directly documented hi-hat setup - Best for genre-defining, chaotic Converge-style mathcore **Meinl Byzance Extra Dry (Matt Greiner, Blake Richardson):** - Complex, dissonant overtones suited to odd-time, genre-hopping material - Versatile across both aggressive accents and dynamic restraint - Best for technical, math metal-adjacent mathcore and progressive-leaning material **Paiste Signature (Danny Carey):** - Weighty, controlled definition built for compositionally rigorous, Fibonacci-structured material - Treats rhythmic complexity as songwriting structure over technical display - Best for progressive, patient mathcore-adjacent compositions **Our Recommendation:** Start with a Zildjian A series or Meinl HCS pair if you're building mathcore technique on a budget. Choose Meinl Byzance if your material blends aggression with dynamic, genre-hopping restraint. Go with Zildjian K/A Custom if your priority is mathcore's founding, hardcore-rooted cutting attack. | feature | birch | maple | | --- | --- | --- | | Attack Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Tonal Complexity | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Mathcore Tradition | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Price (entry) | €110+ | €50+ | --- ## Our Top Picks for Mathcore - **Best Overall:** Zildjian K and A Custom Hi-Hats — Ben Koller's Converge setup — mathcore's founding, hardcore-rooted cutting attack. - **Best for Technical, Odd-Time Precision:** Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Dual Hi-Hats — Matt Greiner's August Burns Red setup — math metal complexity in mathcore-adjacent metalcore. - **Best for Genre-Hopping Dynamics:** Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats — Blake Richardson's BTBAM setup — dramatic dynamic range across mathcore-adjacent technicality. - **Best Budget:** Zildjian A Series Hi-Hats — Genuine bright, cutting Zildjian family DNA at accessible pricing — a real starting point before upgrading. --- ## FAQ **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 Matt Greiner use?** Matt Greiner of August Burns Red plays 15" Dual Hi-Hats from the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry line, bringing math metal's rhythmic complexity into mathcore-adjacent metalcore. **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 Matt Greiner's 15" pair adds extra control for 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. --- ## Build Your Mathcore Hi-Hat Voice Mathcore hi-hat choices come down to a simple decision between two proven philosophies: Zildjian K/A Custom's bright, fast-attack cutting power (Ben Koller's founding sound) or Meinl Byzance's complex, dissonant overtones (Matt Greiner's and Blake Richardson's genre-hopping approach). Danny Carey's Paiste Signature hi-hats offer a third path for mathcore's most compositionally ambitious wing. Start with whichever character matches your playing style, and don't overlook the budget tier — Zildjian A Series and Meinl HCS both provide genuine upgrade paths toward the pro-level sound without requiring a full investment up front. 🤘 **Now go count the meter.** --- ## Related Guides - [Best Crash Cymbals for Mathcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-crash-cymbals-for-mathcore) - [Best Drum Kits for Mathcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drum-kits-for-mathcore) - [Best Snare Drums for Mathcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-snare-drums-for-mathcore) - [Best Hi-Hats for Metalcore: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-hi-hats-for-metalcore) ## Related Drummers - [Ben Koller](https://metalforge.io/drummer/ben-koller) — Zildjian K and A Custom Hi-Hats — Converge mathcore's founding cutting attack - [Matt Greiner](https://metalforge.io/drummer/matt-greiner) — Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Dual Hi-Hats — August Burns Red math metal complexity - [Blake Richardson](https://metalforge.io/drummer/blake-richardson) — Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats — BTBAM genre-hopping technicality - [Danny Carey](https://metalforge.io/drummer/danny-carey) — Paiste Signature Hi-Hats — Tool's Fibonacci-structured rigor --- **More LLM resources:** [Guides Hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides.md) · [Site index](https://metalforge.io/llms.txt) · [Full database](https://metalforge.io/llms-full.txt)