Customizing Cajon Drum Sound

These days, most drummers who play the cajon probably bought the instrument from a supplier of musical instruments. While twenty or so years ago, the cajon drummer likely played a crate or box found somewhere in the city, mass production now makes it easy for most people interested in playing the cajon to be able to do so. As a result, customizing the cajon drum sound has never been easier. Whether you like to use the snare sound or prefer the more traditional sound of the cajon, it is easy to adjust the instrument to your particular tastes.

Since it is likely that you bought your cajon from an instrument supplier, your drum should have come with an Allen wrench for adjusting the screws. The screws along the face of the cajon can be tightened or loosened to achieve the desired sound. By adjusting the screws, you will be either adjusting the snares in relation to the drum’s face or you will be affecting how the tension of the face changes the sound of the snares. This way of customizing cajon drum sound generally applies to cajons with fixed snares.

Most cajons with built-in snares generally have a way of adjusting them. Some cajons are even manufactured so that you can completely turn off or remove the snare effect completely. These adjustments can often be made easily. Some companies sell additional snare effects to add to your cajon, which could be a fun way of changing the sound. A cajon’s face is created specifically to be adjusted by the drummer, so loosening or tightening it is a common way of customizing cajon drum sound whether or not it has snares.

Many people enjoy building their own cajons, which lends itself to sound customization. By building your own cajon, you may find it easier to add desired effects where you want them. If you enjoy snares, you may want to place them in a different position than is typical in a store-bought cajon. You could also use other items to create different sounds; customizing cajon drum sound is not only about snares. You may want to place bells or metal rings inside your cajon. Regardless of where you get your cajon, whether you build it yourself or buy a mass-produced version, it’s good to think about how you want your drum to sound and what kind of musical memories you wish to leave behind after you play.