Abstract: The cymbal system comprises a cymbal member mountable on a cymbal stand, the cymbal member having a playing feel approximating that of a conventional cymbal. A transducer is affixed to a surface of the cymbal member for translating any substantial percussive impact on the cymbal member to electrical signals. These electrical signals are converted into MIDI "note-on" messages serving as trigger messages. At least one conductive element is mounted on the cymbal member. A MIDI interface system is included which detects the alternation in an electrical signal between two stable states in response to a user's manipulation of the conductive element, each stable state representing a digital signal. The MIDI interface system also includes a software system for recognizing and then interpreting the digital signal into MIDI SYSEX messages, or note off and note on messages, serving as MIDI choke/send messages.