What Is “EL Cajon”
The Roland EL Cajon (Electronic Layered Cajon) is a cajon with a new concept: “electronic sound
layered on acoustic sound” using proprietary Roland sensor and sound generation technology.
The EL Cajon opens up fresh musical possibilities for the cajon, and is sure to inspire you with new
performance ideas and new musical expressions.
Main features
5
You can layer a variety of electronic sounds while taking
advantage of the distinctive resonance that’s original to the
cajon.
5
Even when used on its own, the EL Cajon lets you enjoy powerful
sound without having to connect an external mic or PA system.
5
Lightweight and easy to transport, the EL Cajon can be operated
on batteries, allowing you to perform anywhere you like,
including outdoors.
5
When performing in a large hall, you can use the ELECTRONIC
SOUND OUT jack to obtain even more powerful sound.
5
Connect an audio player to the MIX IN jack, and you can use the
EL Cajon as a speaker or a seat when you’re not playing it.
Your own hands will let you draw out the fullest potential of the
EL Cajon.
Panel Descriptions
Seating surface
Top panel
Speaker hole and bass-reflex port
(Built-in speaker)
Edge
Strike this area to play the “edge” sound
of each kit.
Playing Plate
There are two types of electronic
layered sound: head and edge.
Head (center of the playing plate)
Strike this area to play the “head” sound
of each kit.
Top panel
Sound group select buttons
Use the two left and right buttons to switch
between the three sound groups (CAJON,
PERCUSSION, SFX).
Mute
If you press the two buttons at left and right
simultaneously, the instrument is muted so
that the electronic layer does not sound (the
three indicators go dark). Use this when you
want to perform only the acoustic sound of
the cajon itself.
Kit number select buttons
Use the two button (DEC/INC) at left and right to select a kit number (1–9, 0) within each
sound group.
By holding down either the left or right button, you can change the number rapidly.
Rear panel
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
Battery case
The EL Cajon can operate on batteries or on the included AC
adaptor. If you are using batteries, insert six AA batteries, making
sure that the batteries are oriented correctly.
* The battery life is approximately 12 hours for typical performance use. When the
batteries run low, “L” blinks in the display. 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
DC IN jack
Connect the included AC adaptor here.
* To prevent the inadvertent disruption of power to your unit (should the plug be pulled out
accidentally), and to avoid applying undue stress to the jack, anchor the power cord using the
cord hook, as shown in the illustration.
C
[POWER] switch
This turns the power on/off.
D
MIX IN jack
Connect your audio player or other audio source here. Sound from the connected device comes
out of the EL Cajon’s built-in speaker.
E
[VOLUME] knob
Adjusts the volume of the built-in speaker.
F
ELECTRONIC SOUND OUT jack
The electronic layer sound of each kit is output from this jack to an external amp or PA system.
Use this mainly when you want to boost the low frequency sound.
* When connecting the device to the ELECTRONIC SOUND OUT jack, be sure to turn on the
power in the order of the EL Cajon first, and then the connected system. Powering-on in
the incorrect order may cause malfunctions or damage. When turning the power off, power-
off the connected system first, and then the EL Cajon.
G
[TRIGGER BALANCE] knob
Adjusts the head/edge sensor balance for the electronic sound. Turning the knob toward “HEAD”
makes it easier to play the head sound; turning it toward “EDGE” makes it easier to play the edge
sound.
Tip
5
If the edge sound is heard when you strike the head, it is often the case that your palm or wrist
is unintentionally striking near the edge at the same time that your fingertips strike the head.
In this case, curve your fingers beyond the wrist so that they strike the head surface.
(Rear panel) Carrying handle
To transport the EL Cajon, hold it by this carrying handle located on the rear
panel.
* You can use a commercially available cajon carrying case
(50 x 30 x 30 cm) to transport the EL Cajon.
THRESHOLD setting
If you simultaneously press both the left and right buttons indicated in
the illustration, the number blinks, allowing you to adjust the force of the
strike on the striking surface that will play the sound of the electronic
layer (1–9).
With a high THRESHOLD setting, the electronic layer sound is heard only
when you play a strong strike.
When you have finished making the setting, simultaneously press both
the left and right buttons once again.
* The THRESHOLD setting returns to the default value when you turn off the power.
How to Play
When using the EL Cajon in a tilted position, take care that it does not tip over, and
that the connectors are not damaged.
1. Experience the sound as an acoustic cajon
In principle, a cajon is an instrument that can be struck anywhere to produce sound. However
in order to take full advantage of the EL Cajon as a musical instrument, we recommend the
following performance techniques.
Strikes
Explanation
Head Low
Use the entire palm of your hand to strike near the center
of the striking surface; this produces a low sound with a
resonant decay.
Memo
To produce a sharper low sound with minimal decay,
round your hand so that the tips of your five fingers strike
the surface simultaneously.
Head Touch
Use individual fingertips to softly strike near the center
of the striking surface as though you were playing a
keyboard; this produces small, subtle low sounds.
Edge High
Use the entire length of four fingers (omitting the thumb)
to strike the upper part of the striking surface. This
produces a sharp sound that is reminiscent of a snare
drum, and is used frequently.
The EL Cajon has two resonant cords at the left and right
of the edge, producing a buzz-like acoustic sound that
responds to the force of your strike.
Edge Touch
Use your fingertips to gently strike the upper part of the
striking surface as if you were playing a keyboard. This
produces a soft and subtle medium-high sound.
Unlike the Edge High strike, this strike is often used as
ghost notes (notes that keep the rhythm going, or that fill
in between low and high sounds).
Slap
Bend your hand into an “L” shape at the knuckles, and
using four fingers (omitting the thumb) where they join
the palm of your hand, strongly and rapidly strike the
upper edge of the striking surface.
This produces an accented high-pitched sound.
2. Play sounds of the electronic layer
Use the top panel buttons to select the electronic layer sound.
Tips
5
The EL Cajon assigns separate sounds to the head and edge. Like the acoustic sounds, the
sounds of the electronic layer also change in response to your striking force.
5
The electronic sounds are set to not sound when you use head touch or edge touch strikes to
play softly and delicately.
5
Use the [VOLUME] knob to adjust the volume of the electronic layer.
Sound Group
Group
Explanation
CAJON
This group of kits blends the acoustic sound of the cajon itself with the
electronic layer sound, with the goal of creating a single cajon sound.
The electronic layer sounds in this group are created as variations of the cajon’s
resonant cords.
PERCUSSION
The kits in this group contain electronic layer sounds that supplement the
acoustic sound of the cajon itself with a variety of percussion instruments that
are different from cajon sounds.
Using just the EL Cajon by itself, these kits let you play a variety of percussion
instruments from different genres, making it possible to go beyond the
traditional framework or definitions of a cajon.
SFX
This group contains kits containing a variety of sound effects suitable for
various styles of music.
* If you want to lay down a strong foundation of four beats per measure,
as in dance music, you can get a more powerful sound by connecting the
ELECTRONIC SOUND OUT jack to an external amp or PA system.
Kit List
CAJON
Kit Name
Head Sound
Edge Sound
1
Ambient Cajon
Cajon Bass Reverb
Cajon Reverb
2
Plain Cajon
Cajon Foot
Cajon Side
3
Soft Cajon
Cajon Thumb Lo
Cajon Thumb Hi
4
Slap Cajon
Cajon Bass Reverb
Cajon Slap
5
Burst Cajon
Cajon Thumb Lo
Flamenco Clap
6
Cajon & Splash
Cajon Foot
Shiny Splash
7
Cajon & Cross Stick
Cajon Thumb Lo
Cross Stick
8
Wood Snare
Vintage Kick
Wood Snare
9
Buzzy Snare
Heavy Kick
Buzzy Snare
0
Steel Snare
Plugged Kick
Steel Snare
PERCUSSION
Kit Name
Head Sound
Edge Sound
1
Cajon & Tambourine
Cajon Bass Reverb
Tambourine
2
Tambourine
Tambourine
Tambourine Roll
3
Cajon & Shaker
Cajon Foot
Shaker
4
Caxixi
Caxixi Soft
Caxixi Soft/Hard
5
Dhol
Dhol
Dhol Stick
6
Dhol & Splash
Dhol
Shiny Splash
7
Cajon & Sagat
Cajon Bass Reverb
Sagat
8
Darbuka
Darbuka Don
Darbuka Tec/Ka
9
Bougarabou & Djembe
Bougarabou
Bougarabou/Djembe
0
Surdo
Surdo Mid
Repinique/Surdo Hi
SFX
Kit Name
Head Sound
Edge Sound
1
Fat Kick
Dubstep Kick
Dubstep Snare
2
Wobble Kick
Jumper Kick
Old School Snare
3
Hybrid 808
Hybrid Kick
TR-808 Snare
4
Afro Stomp
Afro Stomp
Ambient Snare
5
Junk
Roto Tom Hi
Junk
6
Wah Guitar
Wah Guitar Up
Wah Guitar Down
7
Pot Drum
Pot Drum Hole
Pot Drum Heel
8
Timbales
Timbale Mid
Timbale Hi/Hi Rim
9
Clave & Chime
Clave
Tree Chime
0
Scratch & Voice
Scratch
Voice Yeah
Performance Advice
9
When you want to increase the overall sound of the EL Cajon
We recommend that you place a mic in front of the speaker hole and
bass-reflex port of the EL Cajon’s striking surface (front panel), and
connect the mic to an amp or PA system.
The mic will pick up the original acoustic sound as well as the
electronic layer sound heard from the EL Cajon’s speakers.
9
When you want to increase the sound of the electronic layer (in
particular the low frequencies)
Using the ELECTRONIC SOUND OUT jack located on the EL Cajon’s
rear panel, output the electronic layer sound to an external amp or PA
system.
Use the controls of the PA system to adjust the volume of the EL Cajon’s
sound that is output from the PA system.
9
When you don’t want the electronic layer sound to be output
If you press the two left and right sound group select buttons
simultaneously, the electronic layer sound is immediately muted.
Repeat this action to unmute the sound.
This lets you turn mute on/off as appropriate for your song, for
example when you want to stop playing the electronic layer at a
certain point in the song.
9
If you want to conserve battery power
5
Turn off the power when you’re not playing the instrument.
5
If you connect an external audio device to the MIX IN jack and use
the EL Cajon to continuously play back music while you perform,
the batteries will be used more heavily than during conventional
performance. If you will be playing back music for an extended time,
you should supply power from the AC adaptor or play your audio
device through the PA system.
Electronic Layered Cajon
EL Cajon EC-10
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-10: Electronic Layered Cajon (EL Cajon)
Power Supply
AC adaptor (DC 5.7 V)
Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 6
Current Draw
250 mA
Expected battery life
under continuous
use
Normal use: Approx. 12 hours
Maximum load use: Approx. 6 hours
* These can vary depending on the specifications of the batteries, capacity of the
batteries, and the conditions of use.
Dimensions
295 (W) x 298 (D) x 495 (H) mm
11-5/8 (W) x 11-3/4 (D) x 19-1/2 (H) inches
Weight
(including batteries)
6.0 kg
13 lbs 4 oz
Accessories
Owner’s manual, Leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY,” AC adaptor
* In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to
change without prior notice.
