EC-10MELCajon Mic Processor

A mic-processor to enhance and complement your acoustic cajon

The EC-10M ELCajon Mic Processor is a unique and innovative creative instrument designed for the acoustic cajon. It reinforces and amplifies your cajon sound so that your performance can always be heard, whether you’re playing in small bars or on large stages. You can also perform with additional sounds such as tambourine, shaker, djembe, and electronic drums. Adding an EC-10M to your set-up turns a standard acoustic cajon into an instrument that can cover a world of percussion. In addition to a standard acoustic cajon, you can also use the EC-10M with various other instruments by simply attaching the dedicated clip-on mic, such as mini cajon, an acoustic guitar or even a cardboard box. The acoustic cajon playing experience is reinvented and extended with the EC-10M ELCajon Mic Processor.

Standard Features Concept Movie

Add electronic percussion sounds to your acoustic cajon’s sound palette just by attaching the dedicated clip-on mic

With the EC-10M, it’s easy to take your acoustic cajon performances to new heights. Just attach the dedicated clip-on mic to the cajon’s sound hole, and then layer the EC-10M tones with the acoustic sound to create unique hybrid sounds. The 16 kits include percussion sounds like tambourine, surdo, splash cymbal, and many others, plus acoustic snare drum and the famous Roland TR-808 snare. Built-in acoustic cajon tones with extra ambience are also included for reinforcing your acoustic cajon’s natural voice with a powerful studio sound.

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Light, Compact, and Battery-Powered with up to 5 hours* of battery life

You can use the compact EC-10M anywhere, since it weighs just 500 g/1.1 lbs. and runs on four AAA batteries. The included clip-on condenser mic is compact and convenient, eliminating the need to take up valuable stage space with a mic stand and large microphone. Thanks to its small footprint, the EC-10M can fit into even the tightest performing spaces.
*Battery life varies depending on the usage

Perform using your hands and feet

The EC-10M applies a distinct instrument sound to the center of an acoustic cajon’s playing plate, while another separate sound is applied to the top edge. Each of the EC-10M’s 16 preset kits include two electronic sounds that are pre-assigned to the onboard A/B foot pads, for triggering with toe taps while performing. If you’d prefer to play these sounds with authentic foot techniques and a more solid feel, up to two Roland kick-trigger pedals (KT-10, KT-9, or KD-7) can be connected allowing you to trigger cowbell, foot splash or even four-on-the-floor kick drum patterns.
*A splitter cable (such as the optional PCS-31L) is required to connect two kick trigger pedals to the EC-10M.

Watch the Movie View Detail View Accessories

Record Percussion Phrases and Play Along

The EC-10M includes a built-in looper* for the on-board electronic layered sounds. This lets you create instant percussive loops and phrases, freeing you up to play the acoustic cajon over the top. The looper is controlled using the A/B foot pads making it easy to control while you play. Any electronic sounds triggered from the cajon and external pedals can be included in your loops. If you change the preset kit sound while the loop is playing, the tones in the loop are changed too. Acoustic cajon performances can be transformed, once you start to incorporate loops into your set.
*Recorded phrases cannot be saved.

Watch the Movie

Compatible with every acoustic cajon, acoustic guitars, and even cardboard boxes

The EC-10M can be used with a mini cajon or even a cardboard box—in fact, anything that the clip-on mic will attach to. Regardless of the size of the instrument you play, the sound can be transformed into a percussion sound by using the EC-10M. The body of an acoustic guitar can also be used with the EC-10M by attaching the clip-on mic onto the sound hole of the guitar. The possibilities are limitless. Learn more by watching our quick start video.
*Triggering accuracy will vary depending on what the clip-on mic is attached to

Quickstart Watch the Movie

Development Story

The world’s first hybrid Cajon started development in 2014, partly due to the fact that the chief engineer was an avid cajon player. One of the main reasons the ELCajon was developed was his strong desire to experience new ways of enjoying the cajon. Discover the story behind the development of the innovative ELCajon series.

R&D Story

Learn more about the EC-10M by watching the Quick Start series of videos

These short step-by-step videos introduce various aspects of owning the EC-10M including initial cable connections, sensitivity adjustment, playing tips and other basic operations.

Let's Start Settings Kick & Pad Mode Loop Mode Tips Tips to Play

Integrated Electronic Layered Cajon

The EC-10M adds electronic layered sounds onto your acoustic cajon. But if you’d prefer an all-in-one instrument, we recommend the ELCajon EC-10. The battery-powered EC-10 features an electronic sound source and built-in speakers, housed within the body of an acoustic cajon.

ELCajon EC-10

Development story

The world’s first electronic layered Cajon, the EC-10 ELCajon, started development in 2014. The chief engineer overseeing development of the EC-10 is also a cajon player, having already been involved for many years in the development of Roland’s legendary V-Drums.

The inspiration to develop the EC-10 ELCajon came from a desire to create a new type of cajon-playing experience. An acoustic cajon is very easy to pick up and enjoy, even for a complete beginner – and yet adding sounds from a digital sound engine can dramatically enhance the playing experience, widening the creative options and making it more fun for players of all levels—from novices to professionals.

Before the EC-10 was developed, no acoustic cajon in the market featured digital technology. We were inspired to bring music and triggering technology into new areas, along with the desire to create a unique cajon playing experience that inspired the enjoyment of creativity, regardless of the playing ability.

The first electronic cajon prototype

Soon after deciding to develop an electronically enhanced cajon, we produced a crude prototype. We took speakers from digital pianos and a set of piezo-electric sensors and housed them in a hand-made acoustic cajon, using a V-Drums sound module to produce the triggered sound. Of course, the first prototype was really quite poor as an acoustic cajon and anyone playing it soon experienced hand pain, due to the need to ‘smash’ the playing plate with the palm of the hand. However, when we layered a tambourine on top of the acoustic cajon sound, we immediately had the feeling that it sounded good. This experience gave us confidence that we could see the concept come to life as a standalone product, once we found the best combination of sounds.

Relentless experimentation leads to continuous improvement

An electronic cajon requires the precise installation of speakers and digital components inside the body of an acoustic cajon. In the early days of development, the acoustic tone sounded very muffled, almost like a wardrobe that was full of clothes. We experimented with the size and position of the speaker and speaker hole, the type of surface paint used on the cajon and much more. Through trial and error, we gradually achieved a far better acoustic cajon sound. To detect the best trigger positions for the cajon body (lower tone) and top edge (high tone) we carried out hundreds of tests to find the best position for the sensors within the mechanical design. It was very important to develop and tune the software to prevent the speaker vibration from affecting the piezo-electric sensors and false-triggering of a sound. Through extensive testing and improvements, we were able to develop the world’s first electronic layered cajon – what is known today as the ELCajon EC-10.

Mic Processor EC-10M development

As we developed the world’s first electronic layer cajon, we were also working on the EC-10M ELCajon Mic Processor. The EC-10 ELCajon concept allows a cajon player to perform anywhere with a hybrid electronic/acoustic sound, thanks to its onboard speakers and all-in-one design. However, we wanted to bring the same benefits and experience to acoustic cajon players, so we designed the EC-10M mic processor. Of course, since the EC-10M has no built-in speaker, an external amplification source, such as a PA system, is required to hear the electronic layered sound. But we thought that acoustic cajon players who perform on stage would prefer to add the versatile electronic layered sounds onto their own favorite acoustic cajon.

A condenser mic developed by paying meticulous attention to detail

The EC-10M’s dedicated clip-on mic is mounted to the sound hole at the rear of an acoustic cajon—meaning it directly picks up the sound from the back of the resonant playing board as it is hit by the cajon player. We shaped the casing of the condenser microphone to increase the directional sensitivity and also to improve the frequency response. This was very time consuming and required a lot of effort; but as a result, this mic achieves very high-quality sound which is also usable as a mic preamp. The know-how and technology gained from developing our acclaimed V-Drums is fully utilized within the EC-10M’s sensing technology and software processing.

Designed for Cajon players

The basic concept of the ELCajon series is to add electronic layered sounds to the standard acoustic cajon sound, while respecting the pure, authentic tone of the acoustic instrument. This same principle applies to the EC-10M mic processor and the self-contained EC-10 electronic layered cajon. Cajon players may not be used to operating digital devices, so we designed the ELCajon user interface to be as simple and intuitive as possible. We simplified basic sound control features, such as being able to alter the balance level between the mic sound and electronic layered sounds, or to easily enhance the attack of the acoustic cajon sound by adding compression. We also designed the body and the control panel of the EC-10M to sympathetically match the wooden feel of a cajon, producing many samples of control panels and control knobs along the way. The EC-10M is also designed to operate using the musician’s feet, so we carefully designed the buttons to prevent dust from getting inside. To increase stability and to prevent the EC-10M body from moving while being played, we produced many samples of the rubber feet that attach to the underside of the chassis, using different shapes and grades of rubber until we found the one the gripped the best.

Heidi Joubert

Heidi Joubert is a professional cajon player, based in London, UK. She began by playing cajon on the street, but is now well-known within Europe. Heidi and Roland have been working together since the launch of the EC-10 and she was involved in the development of the EC-10M, reviewing the final on-board kits and sounds. Heidi is an experienced live cajon player and often plays the acoustic cajon alongside an array of additional percussion sounds, such as splash cymbals and shakers. Heidi inspired us with an exciting combination of electronic and acoustic sounds. The final EC-10M was based on the opinions from many cajon players all over the world, including Heidi.

Artist Interview R&D Team Interview


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Roland’s bespoke sound detection technology creates the magic

The EC-10M intelligently senses when the mic is picking up sounds from the head and edge of the cajon’s playing surface, so you can trigger different electronic sounds from each area.

Perform a variety of sounds with conventional playing techniques

You can perform in expressive new ways while still using conventional cajon playing techniques. For example, you can play tambourine by hitting the edge, or you can play a fat cajon bass by striking the head. The EC-10M includes 16 kits covering a variety of percussion or electronic drum sounds.



Enrich your acoustic cajon sound

The EC-10M includes layered sounds—authentic acoustic cajon sounds with extra ambience. You could enhance the original sounds of your acoustic cajon by layering these onboard cajon sounds via the clip-on mic. The EC-10M also features a compressor and enhancer to adjust the sound so that it really cuts through when played during a band performance.

Perform with your feet

Each of the 16 onboard kits has two additional sounds assigned to the A/B footpad—so you could play cowbell or splash cymbal with your feet, for a fuller more engaging performance.

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Secifications
Sound Kit Variation
16
Layered Sound Contents
2 (High, Low)
Controls
[Top Panel]
POWER switch
(MIC) COMPRESSOR knob
(MIC) VOLUME knob
(ELECTRONIC) THRESHOLD knob
(ELECTRONIC) VOLUME knob

MODE SELECT button
A button
B button

[Left Side]
MIC GAIN knob
ENHANCE switch
Indicators
KIT Number
Connectors
TRIGGER INPUT jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
MIC INPUT jack: Stereo miniature type (Use included clip mic only)
MIC/MIX OUTPUT jack (MONO): 1/4-inch phone type
ELECTRONIC OUTPUT jack (MONO): 1/4-inch phone type
DC IN jack
Power Supply
AC adaptor (DC5.7V)
Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (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.
Accessories
Clip Mic
Owner's manual
Leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY"
AC adaptor
Options (sold separately)
Kicks: KD-7, KT-9, KT-10
Stereo Split Cable: PCS-31L
Size and Weight
Width
175 mm
6-15/16 inches
Depth
135 mm
5-3/8 inches
Height
55 mm
2-3/16 inches
Weight
500 g
1 lb. 2 oz.
* In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice.

Video Library

EC-10M Quick Start Video

EC-10M Quick Start Video Step-by-step instructions

These Quick Start Videos contain step-by-step instructions that will quickly introduce you to its major features. Read more…

Downloads

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support department by phone or email.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.