GEWA HC14 Electronic Hi-Hat Cymbals Instruction Manual

GEWA HC14 Electronic Hi-Hat Cymbals

Safety Instructions

Failure to observe the following safety directives may result in fire, electric shock, injury, device damage, or damage to other objects or property. Read the following safety instructions completely before operating this product. Further risks are possible; therefore, the following list does not claim to be complete.

Do not use or store in the following locations

• Locations of high temperature (in direct sunlight, near heating equipment)
• Moist or humid locations (near a bath or shower, or a wet floor)
• Locations exposed to steam or smoke
• Locations subject to salt damage
• Locations subject to water or rain
• Expressively dusty or sandy environment
• Locations subject to high levels of vibration
• An environment with poor ventilation.
• Avoid climbing on top of the unit or placing heavy objects on it.
• Otherwise, you risk injury as a result of the unit toppling over or dropping down.
• Adult supervision is recommended whenever small children use the unit.
• Disconnect all cords/cables before moving the unit.
• Damage or malfunction may result if you fail to disconnect all cables before moving the unit.
• Keep small items out of the reach of children.
• To prevent accidental ingestion of the parts listed below, always keep them out of the reach of small children.

Removable Parts: Clutch or clamp screws and nuts, clutch bumper, cymbal seat, felt washers, spin loc,k, and cable plugs.

Using the Device

Placement

• This unit may interfere with radio and television reception. Do not use this unit in the vicinity of such receivers.
• Whenever any liquid has been spilt on the surface of this unit, be sure to promptly wipe it away using a soft, dry cloth. For musicians who also play keyboards, such as the GEWA PP-3 Portable Digital Piano, similar care should be taken to prevent water or dust damage.
• Spurs included with stands and pads might scratch the floor. Use a mat or similar, adequate object to protect the floors from damage.
• Make sure that children are not exposed to risks of injury caused by improper placement or setup of stands.

Package Content

The original packaging contains the following items. Please check carefully the completeness of the purchased product:

Assembly Instructions

Top cymbal

1. Unscrew the bottom nut (D) from the Hi-Hat Clutch (A).
2. Attach the spin lock (B) to the shaft of the top part of the clutch (A).
3. Guide the clutch and spin lock through the middle hole of the Top Cymbal (C).
4. Orient the spin lock (B) inside the cymbal mould as shown in Figure 2.
5. Screw the bottom nut (D) onto the shaft of Clutch (A) again and clip the clutch bumper (E) on the bottom nut (D).
6. Lightly clamp the cymbal by fastening the top nut (A).

Bottom cymbal

1. Remove any felt padding from the Hi-Hat seat (M) of the stand (see also compatible stands).
2. Place the steel washer (I) on the seat.
3. Place the rubber washer (H) on either the cymbal seat or the universal cymbal seat.
4. Guide the Hi-Hat Controller (G) over the Hi-Hat rod (L) and align the hole (K) with the pin (J).
5. Place the Bottom cymbal (F) on the controller (G) and match the profiles around the middle hole.
6. Loosen the clamp of the Hi-Hat stand top tube and orient the whole system. Arrow (A2) on the bottom cymbal should face the player. With the correct orientation, fasten the tube clamp again.

HC14 cable connections – Trigger Type Dual

1. Take the top cymbal (C) and connect the stereo cable (angled – angled) to the jack closest to the middle hole (see Figure 4).
2. Guide the cable through the hole of the bottom cymb, al which is closest to the Hi-Hat rod.
3. Align the arrows (A1) and (A2) and guide the top cymbal over the HiHat rod, so that both cymbals rest on top of each other.
4. Straighten the cable carefully if needed.
5. Connect the straight plug of the Stereo Controller Cable to the Hi-Hat Controller as shown in Figure 4.
6. Connect both cables to the corresponding Trigger Inputs of your drum console as shown in Figure 4. The naming convention regarding trigger Inputs might vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it always offers individual inputs for Cymbal and Controller.

Height adjustment top cymbal (GEWA System)

For the use with the GEWA factory Trigger Ba, the top cymbal needs to be mounted high enough so that the Clutch Bumper (E) does not press down the controller shaft (O). See Figure 6 for comparison.

1. Lift the top cymbal gradually until the carriage of the Hi-Hat Controller (O) stops following the movement.
2. In this position, fasten the clutch wing screw (N) as shown in Figure 5.
3. After step 2, the Clutch Bumper (E) should be touching the carriage Hi-Hat Controller (O), without pressing the shaft down (see Figure 6). This corresponds to a minimum cymbal spacing (S) of approximately 19 mm (¾”).
4. (Optional) Repeat steps 1-3 with a higher position of the top cymbal for wider cymbal spacing.

Trigger Settings

Having set up the hardware along the lines described in this document, proceed with the trigger settings in your drum module. The operation with GEWA Consoles requires loading the Trigger Bank shown below. Regarding other manufacturers, please take note of the hints given.

GEWA consoles Other manufacturers*

1. Trigger Bank: GEWA HH14
   Check first whether your drum module supports the trigger types (Sensors) built into GEWA pads.
2. Input Channel: Hi-Hat
   Check whether the manufacturer of your module offers a trigger bank for the GEWA pad you want to connect.
3. Consult the owner´s manual of your drum module for Information about trigger setups, accessible parameters, and customisation of 3rd party equipment.

Although GEWA cymbals are manufactured to meet industry standards of analogue trigger systems, GEWA does not guarantee flawless functioning with equipment from other manufacturers. The operation of this product with 3rd party equipment is at your own risk. If you still decide to operate this product with 3rd party drum modules, please take note of the hints above.

Playing Techniques

1. The Hi-Hat sound will vary in any of its sound components (Bell, Bow, Edge), depending on the angle of the footboard. In closed states, the controller can distinguish between splash techniques (short closing time) and chick techniques with longer closing times.
2. The full potential of electronic Hi-Hats is described by the interplay between Cymbal, Controller, Pedal action, and Sound Module.
3. Applying even more pressure in closed states can alter the closed sound towards an even tighter sound. Hi-Hat sounds will become even sharper, while applying this technique to Bass Drums, it can be utilised to mimic the effect of burying the beater (pitch bend).
4. Strike the bow region with the tip of the stick within the highlighted area. This will trigger the bow sound.
5. Use this technique in conjunction with the pedal techniques to produce different sound qualities of the cymbals.
6. Strike the edge with the shoulder of the stick in the region of the edge sensor.
7. This will trigger the edge sound. Use this technique in conjunction with the pedal techniques to produce open and closed-edge sounds.
8. Bells on acoustic cymbals produce musical sounds using either the shoulder or the tip of the stick. Utilise both techniques to trigger the bell sound.
9. Use this technique in conjunction with the pedal techniques to make use of the full range of bell sounds stored within a multi-layered sample.
10. After performing an Edge Stroke, subsequently apply pressure to the edge sensor using the fingers. This will prevent the edge sound from sustaining any longer.
11. Regarding Hi-Hats, this technique is only practical for longer-sounding, open sounds. With pressure applied to the edge, striking the cymbal will result in a short, staccato edge sound.

Compatible Stand

Compatible Hi-Hat stands (HC14 & HHC)

The following measurements describe the minimum requirements for a Hi-Hat stand to fit the GEWA HHC Hi-Hat Controller. Note that the HHC is not a DIY product. It is a spare part for the HC14 Hi-Hat Cymbal and only works in conjunction with Clutch, Top Cymbal, and Bottom Cymbal included with HC14. To prevent the Controller from spinning freely on the Hi-Hat seat, additional accessories might be required.

Maintenance

• Never use benzine, thinners, alcohol, or solvents of any kind, to avoid the possibility of discolouration and/or deformation.
• Remove stick marks and dust by treating the top surface of the cymbal with a sponge lightly soaked in silicone oil. Silicone oil protects the top surface and restores a fresh and even look.
• To remove stubborn dirt, use a cloth impregnated with a mild, non-abrasive detergent.
• Afterwards, be sure to wipe the unit thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth.
• Use a reasonable amount of care when using the unit’s jacks and connectors.
• Rough handling can lead to malfunctions.
• When disconnecting all cables, grasp the connector itself – never pull on the cable.
• This way, you will avoid causing cable breakage and short circuits.
• This instrument is designed to minimise the extraneous sounds produced when it’s played.
• However, impact noise still can be transmitted through floors and walls to a greater degree than expected; take care not to allow these sounds to become a nuisance to others nearby.
• Continuous playing may cause discolouration of the pad, but this will not affect the pad’s function.

Technical Data

HC14 Hi-Hat cymbal (Included with drum set configurations)

HC14-AC Hi-Hat cymbal with accessories

HC14-T Hi-Hat top cymbal

Disposal & Recycling

EU Countries

Devices labelled with this symbol fall under the scope of the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), under which owners are obliged to dispose of such devices separately from domestic waste. Manufacturers and EU member states, on the other hand, are obliged to transpose the directive into federal law and provide separate collection systems to ensure an effective protection of human health and the environment. In case this product needs to be disposed of, take it to your local community waste management service (e.g., disposal companies, recycling centres) or to the dealer where the product was purchased.

USA: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm, including lead.

Customer Service

• Eastern Time; Hours. Monday through Friday 9:30 – 6:00 PM
• Phone: 240-631-1955. 800-930-1955
• Fax: 240-631-1958. 800-689-1958
• Email: info@gewamusicusa.com.

FAQs

Q: What are the GEWA HC14 Electronic Hi-Hat Cymbals?

These 14-inch electronic hi-hat cymbals offer a realistic hi-hat feel, response, and triggering and are made to be used with electronic drum kits.

Q: What type of connection do they use?

Depending on your drum module, the HC14 hi-hats use a regular electronic drum trigger cable, which is usually a 1/4-inch TRS or proprietary GEWA connector.

Q: Are they compatible with all drum modules?

The majority of electronic drum modules that offer dual-zone or hi-hat triggers are compatible with them; nonetheless, it is advised to verify the voltage and impedance compliance of the module specs.

Q: Do the HC14 hi-hats support open and closed sounds?

Indeed, the hi-hats provide a true hi-hat sensation because they are velocity-sensitive and offer open, closed, pedal-heel, and edge strikes.

Q: Can I use them with an acoustic hi-hat stand?

Yes, they work with the majority of common hi-hat stands, but be sure the stand is strong and permits smooth pedal movement.

Q: How do I adjust the sensitivity?

Use your drum module to change the threshold and sensitivity settings. You can adjust responsiveness, choke, and velocity curves in the majority of modules.

Q: Can I choke the cymbals?

Indeed, the HC14 hi-hats have choke capability, which simulates acoustic behaviour by stopping the sound by holding the stick on the cymbal.

Q: Are they dual-zone cymbals?

Indeed, the bottom cymbal serves mostly as a choke and closed trigger, whereas the top cymbal is usually dual-zone (edge and bow).