Roland EC-10M El Cajon Mic Processor - Manual

What is “ELCajon Mic Processor”
The Roland EC-10M ELCajon Mic Processor is a new concept in percussion sound modules; it uses
Roland’s proprietarily developed mic sensor and sound-generating technology to pick up and
amplify the acoustic sound of your cajon, and allows you to layer electronic sounds onto it.
Main features
5 While taking advantage of the resonance of the cajon’s original
sound, you can additionally layer a wide variety of electronic sounds.
5 You can switch between two different electronic sounds according
to the pitch of the sound that enters the mic.
5 You can use a simple loop play function to perform along with a
rhythm pattern played by electronic sounds.
5 A high-performance clip-type condenser mic that can be installed
directly on the cajon is included.
5 The volume balance between the mic sound and the electronic
sound can be adjusted by the performer.
5 Compressor and enhancer effects specifically for the mic are
provided, improving the loudness and definition of the sound.
Panel Descriptions
Top panel
9 MIC
A [COMPRESSOR] knob
Adjusts the loudness of the mic.
Moving the knob toward the
right increases the loudness and
strengthens the attack.
B [VOLUME] knob
Adjusts the volume of the mic.
C PEAK indicator
This indicator is lit when the mic input level reaches the peak. Adjust the mic gain so that the
PEAK indicator does not light.
9 ELECTRONIC
D [THRESHOLD] knob
Specifies the input level that triggers the electronic layer sound. Turning the knob toward the
right increases the strike strength that is needed to trigger the electronic layer sound.
E [VOLUME] knob
Adjusts the volume of the electronic layer sound.
F [TRIGGER] indicator
This is it lit when the electronic layer sound is produced.
G [KIT No.] indicator
Indicates the selected kit number (1–9, 0, A–F).
H [POWER] switch
Turns the power on/off.
Long-press this switch to turn the power off.
I [MODE SELECT] button
Switches the mode of the foot buttons [A] J / [B] K .
Mode Button status Explanation
Kit shift mode (the
setting when you turn
on the power)
Unlit Use the foot buttons [A] / [B] to switch kits.
Pad mode Lit Play pad [A] / pad [B].
Loop mode Blinking
The loop function is used. For details, refer to “About the Loop
function”.
Side panel (Right)
A MIC/MIX OUTPUT jack
If a cable is connected to the ELECTRONIC
jack, the sound of the mic is output by
itself from this jack
If a cable is not connected to the
ELECTRONIC jack, the sound of the mic
and the sound of the electronic layer are
output from this jack.
B ELECTRONIC OUTPUT jack
The electronic layer sounds are output from this jack.
C DC IN jack
Connect the included AC adaptor here.
* We recommend that you keep batteries installed in the unit even though you’ll be powering
it with the AC adaptor. That way, you’ll be able to continue a performance even if the cord of
the AC adaptor gets accidentally disconnected from the unit.
* To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn off all
the units before making any connections.
Side panel (Left)
A TRIGGER IN jack (PAD A/B)
Connect an external kick trigger pad (sold
separately: KD-7, KT-9, KT-10) to this jack.
You can play the two different electronic
layer sounds assigned to pad [A] and pad
[B].
* You can use a stereo split cable (sold
separately: PCS-31L) to connect up to two
kick trigger pads to this unit.
B MIC IN jack
Connect the included clip mic to this jack.
C [MIC GAIN] knob
Adjusts the gain of the mic.
D [ENHANCE ON/OFF] switch
Switches the enhance effect that is applied to the sound of the mic. If this is on, the mic sound
is given greater definition. This is effective when you want a crisper sound.
Bottom panel
A Battery case
The EC-10M operates using
batteries or the included AC adaptor.
If using the unit on batteries, install
four AAA batteries, taking care to
orient the batteries correctly.
* When turning the unit over, be
careful so as to protect the buttons
and knobs from damage. Also,
handle the unit carefully; do not
drop it.
* The battery life is approximately
5 hours for typical performance
use. When the batteries run low,
“L” blinks in the KIT No. indicator.
Replace the battery as soon as
possible.
* If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and fluid leakage. Make sure that
you carefully observe all of the items related to batteries that are listed in “USING THE UNIT
SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”).
B Block diagram
This diagram shows the signal flow of the EC-10M.
Clip mic
B
A
A Clip open/close knob
Opens/closes the clip.
B Cable hook
Secures the cable of the clip mic.
Use
1. Connect the EC-10M to your amp or PA mixer.
2. Connect the included clip mic to the MIC IN jack.
3. Attach the clip mic to your cajon.
As shown in the illustration,
clip the mic onto the bottom
(6 o’clock position) of the
sound hole located on the
back of the cajon, so that the
mic is inside (with the Roland
logo facing outward). Use the
cable hook to manage the
cable so that it does not strike
the cajon.
* Depending on the shape
of the sound hole, it might
not be possible to attach
the mic at the 6 o’clock position; if so, it is ok to attach the mic at some other position
(such as 9 o’clock).
4. Place the EC-10M by your foot.
Place the EC-10M where you can control it with one
foot.
5. Turn on the power.
* Before turning the unit on/off, always be sure to turn
the volume down. Even with the volume turned down,
you might hear some sound when switching the unit
on/off. However, this is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction.
6. Use the [MIC GAIN] knob to adjust the mic gain.
Start with the gain at the maximum setting, and
gradually lower it until the PEAK indicator does not
light when you strike the cajon strongly.
* If the sound of the mic seems to be distorted, lower the
[MIC GAIN] knob.
7. Use the [VOLUME] knobs (MIC, ELECTRONIC) to adjust the volume..
If you want to emphasize the sound of the cajon itself, it
is effective to lower the ELECTRONIC volume and raise
the MIC volume.
8. Use the [THRESHOLD] knob to adjust the sensitivity at which the electronic layer sound is
triggered.
If this setting is low, the electronic layer sound is
triggered even by a soft strike. As this setting is raised,
the electronic layer sound is triggered only by a strong
strike.
* If the electronic sound is inadvertently triggered by
other sounds picked up by the mic when you’re not playing the cajon, raise the threshold
setting so that only the sound is triggered only when you want it to be triggered.
9. Use foot buttons [A] / [B] to switch kits.
For details on each kit, refer to “Kit List”.
About the Loop function
The EC-10M lets you record a phrase of electronic layer sounds and play it back immediately as
a loop. This lets you perform on the cajon accompanied by the playback of the electronic layer
sound loop (shaker, tambourine, bass drum, or other sound effect).
Here’s how to record and play back.
1. Select the kit containing the electronic sound that you want to record.
2. While playing the cajon or the kick trigger, adjust the volume balance of the electronic
layer sound.
3. Use the [MODE SELECT] button to select loop mode.
4. Press the foot button [A] to delete any previously recorded content.
5. Press the foot button [B] to enter the record-standby state.
The foot button [B] is lit red.
6. When you start performing, recording starts automatically.
During recording, the foot button [B] blinks red.
7. At the moment that you want recording to end, press the foot button [B].
The performance data from when you start recording until you press the foot button [B] is
automatically played back as a loop. If recorded performance data exists, the foot button [B] is
lit green.
8. To stop playback, press the foot button [B] once again.
* You can’t perform electronic layer sounds during loop playback. You can perform only using
the cajon itself and the sound of the mic.
Kit List
No. Kit name Layer (Low) Layer (High) Pad A Pad B
1 Ambient Cajon Cajon Bass Reverb Cajon Reverb Splash Cymbal Cowbell
2 Cajon & Tambourine Cajon Bass Tambourine Splash Cymbal Cowbell
3 Cajon & CrossStick Cajon Thumb Low Cross Stick Splash Cymbal Shaker
4 Cajon & Shaker Cajon Foot Shaker Splash Cymbal Cowbell
5 Cajon & Sagat Cajon Bass Sagat Splash Cymbal Vintage Kick
6 Burst Cajon Cajon Thumb Low Flamenco Clap Splash Cymbal Shaker
7 Buzzy Snare Comp Kick Buzzy Snare Splash Cymbal Comp Kick
8 Hybrid 808 Hybrid Kick TR-808 Snare Splash Cymbal Hybrid Kick
9 Steel Snare Plugged Kick Steel Snare Splash Cymbal Shaker
0 Darbuka Darabuka Don Darabuka Tec Splash Cymbal Sagat
A Dhol Dhol Dhol Stick Splash Cymbal Shaker
b Surdo Surudo Mid Surdo Hi Tambourine Shaker
C Bougrabou & Djembe Bougarabou Djembe Slap Tambourine Shaker
d Pot Drum Pot Drum Hole Pot Drum Heel Splash Cymbal Sagat
E Afro Stomp Afro Stomp Ambient Snare Splash Cymbal Afro Stomp
F Wobble Kick Jumper Kick Old School Snare Splash Cymbal Jumper Kick
Performance Advice
5 If you want to emphasize the attack of the mic sound, adjust the compressor setting upward.
5 Placing muting material inside the cajon will reduce unwanted resonance, allowing you to
produce a sharper and tighter sound.
5 The way in which the EC-10M’s electronic layer sounds (high/low) are differentiated will
vary depending on the character of the sound that enters the mic. If you want to accurately
reproduce these distinctions, you’ll need to be aware of which area of your cajon must be
struck to produce different sounds.
5 You can’t perform the electronic layer sounds while using loop playback. You can only perform
using the sound of the cajon itself and the sound of the mic.
A
J K
I
B D E
G H
C F
A B C
A B C D
B
A
ELCajon Mic Processor
EC-10M
Copyright © 2016 ROLAND CORPORATION
English
Owner’s Manual
In order to use this device correctly, please carefully read “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (the “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” leaflet) before use.
After reading, keep these instructions at hand for immediate reference.
Main Specifications
Roland EC-10M ELCajon Mic Processor
Power Supply
AC adaptor (DC 5.7 V)
Rechargeable Ni-MH batteriesbattery (AAA, HR03) x 4
Current Draw 150 mA
Expected battery life
under continuous
use
Approx. 5 hours
* These can vary depending on the specifications of the batteries, capacity of the
batteries, and the conditions of use.
Dimensions 175 (W) x 135 (D) x 55 (H) mm
6-15/16 (W) x 5-3/8 (D) x 2-3/16 (H) inches
Weight
(including batteries)
500 g
1 lb 2 oz
Accessories Clip mic, Owner’s manual, Leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY,” AC adaptor
* This document explains the specifications of the product at the time that the document
was issued. For the latest information, refer to the Roland website.