• Check out
    your Soundroom
Mike Dawson

Mike Dawson

About

Paiste Artist Since
January 2025

Nationality
United States

Follow Artist

„I've always been a fan of Paiste's cymbals and many of my heroes are on the Paiste artist roster. But once I got my hands on some of the Masters Dark models, it was a done deal - I'm all in!“

Setup

Videos & Pics

Paiste_Gallery_Mike_Dawson_550_400_1.jpg
Paiste_Gallery_Mike_Dawson_550_400_3.jpg
Paiste_Gallery_Mike_Dawson_550_400_2.jpg
Paiste_Gallery_Mike_Dawson_550_400_1.jpg
Paiste_Gallery_Mike_Dawson_550_400_3.jpg
Paiste_Gallery_Mike_Dawson_550_400_2.jpg

Biography

Mike Dawson is a Pittsburgh-based drummer/percussionist and co-leader of an ambient experimental duo with guitarist Tim Vitullo. Their debut album, LUNR ECCOS, was released in November 2024 on Elohino Records. Dawson hosts the Drum Candy Podcast, serves as chief creative officer for Drum Factory Direct, and is managing editor for the Percussive Arts Society's DRUMSET Magazine. From 2004 to 2021, Mike was an editor at Modern Drummer, and he produced 250 episodes of The Modern Drummer Podcast With Mike and Mike with online educator/clinician Mike Johnston. Dawson holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from West Virginia University and a master’s in music from the University of the Arts. He was a regular drumset substitute for the Broadway musical The Lion King from 2017 to 2020 and has taught courses, lessons, and workshops at various events and institutions, including PASIC, West Virginia Wesleyan College, UArts, Drummer's Collective, and the Peabody Institute.

Setup Cymbals

Masters Dark Ride
  • Details

    Sizes: 20", 22"
    Volume: Soft
    Weight: Light

    Sound character: Dark, warm, smoky, breathy. Fairly wide range, complex mix. Soft feel with a quick response. Very well crashable. Controllable, peppery stick sound over a dark layered oriental, smoky wash. A ride cymbal that can easily be used in a small jazz club setting and flourish in other styles such as blues or country music.

  • Sounds

Masters Dark Crash Ride
  • Details

    Sizes: 20", 22"
    Volume: Soft
    Weight: Light

    Sound character: Dark, trashy, papery, low. Wide range, complex and moody mix. Soft and buttery feel with a very wobbly and vibrant response. Fairly defined stick sound over a dark and cloudy wash. Perfectly suited for quieter musical settings such as blues, jazz and acoustic styles. Very user-friendly for percussive use and classical mallet application.

  • Sounds

Masters Dry Ride

Masters Dark Hi-Hat
  • Details

    Sizes: 14", 15"
    Volume: Soft
    Weight: Medium

    Sound character: Dark, full, soft, multi-layered. Medium wide range, complex mix. Soft, responsive feel. Velvety sizzling open sound. Rich, dark chick sound. A sensitive hi-hat perfectly suited for light to medium heavy use within Jazz, Blues, Country and other acoustic music styles.

  • Sounds

Masters Thin Hi-Hat

Masters Dark Flat Ride
  • Details

    Sizes: 20", 22"
    Volume: Soft
    Weight: Medium

    Sound character: Dark, smoky, warm, mellow. Fairly narrow range, complex mix. Soft, responsive feel, controllable. Warm, articulate ping with dark, smoky, slightly trashy wash. Well suited for fast, subtle playing in soft to medium loud situations.

  • Sounds