E-Mu E-drum Owner's Manual

E-drum

Digital Percussion Module

Owners Manual

Version 1.0

Copyright 1984 E-mu Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

E-drum and E-mu are trademarks of E-mu Systems, Inc.

WARNING – This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual, this may cause interference to radio communications. It
has been tested and found to comply with the limits for class A computing devices pursuant to Subpart J
of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference
when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference in which case the user at his/her own expense will be required to take whatever
measures may be required to correct the interference.

E-drum Digital Percussion Module – Owners Manual

1. OVERVIEW

The E-drum digital percussion module is an electronic drum using sounds that are
digitally recorded and stored in easily interchangeable ROM cartridges. The module
allows you to control the loudness of the sound and (if desired) it’s pitch by how hard
you hit the pad. The pads sensitivity can be adjusted for playing styles ranging from
light finger taps to heavy sticking.

The module provides controls for tuning the original sound over the range of one
octave, setting the pads sensitivity for pitch change, adjusting the decay of the
sound and adjusting the bass and treble content of the sound. The rear panel
provides connectors for audio output, an optional AC power adapter and a multi
purpose control input that allows the module to be triggered from synthesizer gates
and triggers or audio signals (with level detection). This input also makes possible
independent voltage control of pitch via an active voltage pedal or other DC voltage
source.

The E-drum is powered by two 9-volt batteries or an optional AC adapter.

2. SETUP

POWER

The first step in setting up your E-drum module is to supply it with power. It may be
powered either by two 9-volt batteries (alkaline batteries are highly recommended)
or by an optional AC adapter.

BATTERIES
To install batteries, remove the battery compartment cover by loosening the
retaining screw on the bottom of the module. Attach a battery connector to the
terminals of each battery. Carefully stuff the batteries into the battery compartment,
being careful not to crimp or pinch any wires. Replace the battery cover and secure
with the retaining screw.

AC ADAPTER
IMPORTANT: Do not use any AC adapter other than the one supplied by E-mu
Systems specifically for use with E-drum modules.

To connect an AC adapter, insert the adapters mini phone plug into the AC IN jack
on the rear of the E-drum module. Plug the adapter into a standard 110 VAC outlet.
The power on LED should light to indicate the module receiving power.

POWERING MULTIPLE MODULES
Up to five E-drum modules can be powered from one AC adapter. For each
additional module you will need a patch cord with a 3.5mm phone plug on each end.
Plug one end of the cord into the AC out jack of a powered module. Plug the other
end into the AC in jack of the nearest un-powered module. This module can now be
connected to another and that to another etc.

Do NOT connect more than five modules to a single AC adapter.

© E-mu Systems 1984 Enhanced by The Emulator Archive 2001 Page 1

E-drum Digital Percussion Module – Owners Manual

AUDIO OUTPUT
Using a patch cord with a standard ¼” phone plug, connect the E-drum modules
audio output to your amplifier or other sound system. Start with your amplifiers
volume at a low setting until you become familiar with the E-drums output level.

SOUND CARTRIDGE
Select an E-drum sound cartridge and insert it into the slot at the rear of the E-drum.
The cartridge should be inserted such that the label is readable from the top. (The
cartridge is keyed so that it will only go in the right way.) Be sure the cartridge is fully
and securely inserted into the module. If it doesn’t seem to want to go in, try pushing
it to the left (as seen from the rear of the module) and then in.

POWER ON
(Pay close attention to this section or you may find yourself buying a lot of batteries!)

If you look carefully at the labeling on the E-drum module, you will see that what you
were thinking was the “power on” button was actually called the “Batt. On” button.
This button controls the battery power for the module. When it’s in the “in” position,
the batteries are powering the module. When it’s in the ”out” position, the batteries
are disconnected from the circuit. If you are using only the batteries, you can simply
consider this the on/off button.

However, if you are also using an AC adapter, things get a bit tricky. Unlike some
other products that you may be familiar with, plugging in the AC adapter does not
automatically disconnect the batteries. Only having the BATT. ON button in the off
position will disconnect them. It is therefore possible to have the AC adapter
plugged in and still be draining the batteries. When using the AC adapter always
check to see the battery switch is in the “off” position. (When using the AC adapter,
there is no on/off switch. The module is on as long as the adapter is plugged in. Be
sure to unplug the adapter from the AC outlet when you are through playing.)

SELECT SOUND
Some E-drum sound cartridges contain two sounds. Pressing the sound select
button on the E-drum modules front panel will let you choose between these
sounds. This button will have no effect on a single sound cartridge. (Some E-drum
modules have two sound select buttons. Simply ignore the right button.)

3. CONTROLS

PAD SENSITIVITY
The sensitivity of the E-drum modules pad can be adjusted using the 15-turn
trimmer accessible through the small hole to the right of the pitch knob. To adjust
the trimmer you will need a small screwdriver or a trimmer adjustment tool (available
at most electronic stores like radio shack). Turning the trimmer counterclockwise will
decrease the sensitivity (i.e. you will need to hit the pad harder). Turning the trimmer
clockwise will increase sensitivity. Remember, you have to turn the trimmer 15 times
to go from one end of the range to the other, so you will probably have to turn it a
couple of turns to notice any effect at all.

© E-mu Systems 1984 Enhanced by The Emulator Archive 2001 Page 2

E-drum Digital Percussion Module – Owners Manual

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 E­drums 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.

© E-mu Systems 1984 Enhanced by The Emulator Archive 2001 Page 3

E-drum Digital Percussion Module – Owners Manual

4. EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

The E-drum modules TRIG IN jack is a ¼” stereo phone jack, allowing both
triggering and external voltage control of pitch.

TRIGGERING
The E-drum modules trigger input accepts gates and triggers from 0.2 to 5 volts.
Duration of the trigger must be at least 100 milliseconds. The higher the voltage
and/or the longer the pulse length, the louder the triggered sound will be.

The module can also be triggered by most audio signals. The level of the audio
signal will determine the loudness of the triggered sound. Thus, the E-drum module
is able to duplicate the dynamics of the audio source triggering it. This makes it ideal
for triggering from miked acoustic drums or from pre recorded percussion (or other
audio) tracks. In each case you can replace the triggering sound with any E-drum
sound, while still retaining all the dynamics of the original performance.

Use a standard ¼” mono phone plug with the triggering signal wired to the tip if you
are using the input for triggering only (i.e. no external pitch control). If you plan to
use simultaneous pitch control, you will need a stereo phone plug or an adapter as
described below.

When an external trigger source is connected to the E-drum module, the modules
pad remains active but at reduced sensitivity.

EXTERNAL PITCH CONTROL
The E-drum modules TRIG IN jack also accepts a voltage of from 0 to 5 volts for the
purpose of controlling pitch. Possible controllers include active voltage pedals,
synthesizers, sequencers, or most any other source of variable DC voltage. Again,
keep in mind the modules maximum tuning range is about one octave. If you want to
be able to control this entire range with your external controller, be sure to set the
front panel pitch control at its lowest setting.

If you are using the TRIG IN jack for pitch control only (no external triggering), use a
stereo phone plug with the control voltage wired to the ring contact. Custom wire a
¼” stereo plug (trigger to tip contact and control voltage to the ring contact) if you will
be using both triggering and voltage control. You may also use a patch cord with two
mono jacks connected to a stereo plug. Use a meter to find out which jack is the tip
and which is the ring. When you’ve figured this out, label the jacks for future
reference. (When using this patch cord, both the trigger and control voltage should
use a mono phone plug with the signal at the tip.)

© E-mu Systems 1984 Enhanced by The Emulator Archive 2001 Page 4