Schlagwerk CP5210 Urban OS Old Red

Product Description

The Urban OS Old Red is a cajon built to be played live. The fully screwed playing surface gives a direct attack and a genuinely open fundamental sound, and the instrument carries surprisingly well even without a microphone. The textured face also gives you far more to grab onto when playing with rods or cajon brushes.

OS stands for open sound and screwed playing surface, and the screws are the whole point. The face is fixed at carefully chosen points, which reduces the contact area against the box and lets a more open fundamental tone through while the snare strings respond immediately to the stroke. In practice this means an instrument with very little warm-up: you do not have to hit hard to get the sound out, and the difference between a light fingertip stroke and a full slap is easy to hear.

A sound that takes up space

The Urban OS models are designed for the stage without compromise. The overall sound is cheeky, raw and intense, with enough natural presence to be heard in an acoustic line-up when no microphone is available. Internal reinforcement strips along the sides give the bass a firm foundation without making the snare response sluggish, so you get both bottom end and that dry rattle higher up.

The textured playing surface

The gabon playing surface carries a design texture you can both see and feel. It is slightly rougher than a smooth lacquered face, and the difference shows up straight away with cajon brushes and rods, which catch instead of skating across the wood. If you mostly play with your hands, it reads as a dry, comfortable grip under the palm.

Body and looks

The resonance box is built from eight layers of birch, and the whole instrument is finished in a deliberately worn street look. Old Red is the reddest of the three designs in the series, alongside Black Burst and Grunge Black.

Who it works for

This is a cajon for players who get out and play: street gigs, acoustic sets, singer-songwriter work and rehearsals where a full kit would be too much. If you are mainly after a soft, restrained cajon for quiet studio work, there are calmer options out there. The Urban OS would rather be heard.

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Our Tips

• Try it with cajon brushes or rods – the textured face was made for exactly that.
• Play near the top edge for the snare sound and towards the centre for bass; that is where the contrast is clearest.
• For larger stages, a kick drum microphone aimed at the sound hole will take you a long way.
• If you want the same instrument with a different look, the Urban OS series also comes in Black Burst and Grunge Black.

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it be heard without a microphone?

Yes. The Urban OS is built for live use and has enough natural presence for acoustic settings. On bigger stages, or alongside amplified instruments, you will still get more control by miking it up.

Can I play it with brushes and rods?

Yes, and that is one of the ideas behind the model. The texture in the playing surface gives brushes and rods more to catch, which makes those strokes clearer and more even than on a smooth face.

Is the snare sound adjustable?

The snare strings are adjustable, so you can move from a tight, dry rattle to a more open, ringing response depending on what the song needs.

Does it come in other finishes?

The Urban OS series comes in three designs: Old Red, Black Burst and Grunge Black. The construction is the same; only the look differs.