E-drum Digital Percussion Module – Owners Manual
© E-mu Systems 1984 Enhanced by The Emulator Archive 2001 Page 3
The objective in making this adjustment is to match the pads sensitivity to your
playing style so you will have predictable control over the modules maximum
dynamic range. If you play the module with only your fingers, you should set the
sensitivity high so you don’t need to hit the pad very hard to get maximum volume.
However, if you are practicing to be Keith Moon, you should set the sensitivity at the
opposite extreme. Other playing styles will fall somewhere in the middle. The best
method of adjustment is trial and error. Make an adjustment and try playing. You’ll
know when it’s right.
INITIAL PITCH
The pitch control adjusts the initial pitch of an E-drum sound over a range of one
octave. Turning the knob counterclockwise lowers the pitch. Turning it clockwise
raises the pitch.
PITCH SENSITIVITY
This control determines the extent to which hitting the pad will affect the pitch of the
sound. With this control turned fully counterclockwise, the pad velocity will have no
affect on the pitch. The pitch knob and/or the external pitch control voltage will
always set the pitch of the sound. Turning the control clockwise will cause the pads
velocity to affect the sounds pitch. The harder you hit the pad, the higher the pitch.
The farther you turn the control clockwise, the greater available pitch change. Again,
trial and error will show you the best setting for each sound. (We’ve found a little
pitch response, even on snares and toms will give a noticeably more “natural” feel to
the sounds.)
Keep in mind the maximum total tuning range of the E-drum is one octave. (This is
the total of the initial pitch setting, the external control voltage and any pad control.)
The highest pitch available is the pitch you get with the initial pitch control at its
highest setting. Increasing pitch sensitivity or hitting the pad harder will not raise the
pitch beyond this point. If you want the pad to exercise a wide range of control over
pitch, be sure to set the initial pitch setting at a lower end of its range.
DECAY
The decay control allows you to adjust the duration of an E-drum sound. With the
knob turned fully clockwise you will hear the entire recorded length of the sound.
Rotating the knob counterclockwise will progressively shorten the sound until, with
the knob fully counter clockwise; you will hear only the first 50 milliseconds of the
sounds attack.
EQUALIZATION
The (very) active bass and treble controls make it possible for you to tailor the E-
drums sounds to your own particular taste. With both knobs in the center of their
range the response is essentially flat. Moving either control clockwise from that
position will boost the appropriate frequency range while moving it counterclockwise
will attenuate it. Experimentation with these controls can produce a wide variety of
useful sounds from each cartridge.
