August 10, 2026 I Partnership
Zildjian, Alesis Drums Announce Partnership
Avedis Zildjian Co. and Alesis Drums have announced a strategic partnership.Together, the partnership brings Zildjian’s expertise in cymbal sound into Alesis’ advanced electronic percussion ecosystem delivering greater realism, nuance, and inspiration to drummers in all areas of music performance and production.
For both Zildjian and Alesis Drums, the partnership is an extension of what they’ve always done: Zildjian crafting the cymbal sounds drummers reach for, and Alesis Drums building the technology that puts expressive, high-performance instruments within reach of every player.
“Zildjian cymbals have shaped the sound of modern drumming for generations, making them a perfect partner as we continue to raise the bar for electronic drums,” said Michael Weber, director of marketing for Alesis Drums. “We’re excited to put these sounds into the hands of drummers of all skill levels and see what they’re inspired to create.”
This partnership is marked by hand-selecting cymbals straight from Zildjian’s exclusive Artist Vault, a collection historically reserved for official Zildjian Artists to shape their signature sound. Alesis and the team at BFD Drums pulled from this library and recorded the cymbals in stunning detail. The result brings these coveted sounds to drummers in an authentic and expressive playing experience.
“The Artist Vault is sacred ground — for decades this is where the world’s greatest drummers have come to choose their cymbals and find inspiration,” Weber said. “Capturing them with the BFD team’s meticulous sampling process means that when an Alesis player strikes a cymbal, they’re experiencing the nuanced sound of those cymbals, with all the depth and character that makes a Zildjian a Zildjian.”
With the partnership launch, Alesis and BFD users will gain access to a new collection of exclusive Zildjian sound expansion packs, bringing some of the most sought-after cymbal sounds directly to electronic drummers and producers. The first sound pack, Zildjian Session Mix Vol. 1, is available now, with additional expansions arriving in late August and continuing to release regularly throughout the year. Drawn from iconic cymbal families and modern favorites, these premium sound packs will be available across BFD Player, BFD3.5, and Alesis Strata modules, giving users a seamless way to expand their sonic palette with authentic Zildjian sounds.
