Zildjian ALCHEM-E Quickstart Guide

In our Zildjian ALCHEM-E Quickstart Guide, you learned how to register your Zildjian ALCHEM-E kit, update the firmware, and set it up for the first time. In this guide, we will show you how to navigate and fine-tune the kit. Let’s get started.

1. Navigate the Module
   • Kit
   • Inst
   • Trig
   • Mix
2. ALCHEM-E Hi-hat Calibration
3. Update the Module Settings

Navigate the Module

Zildjian’s ALCHEM-E kit is easy to navigate. Everything can be accessed using the four Workspace buttons, as well as the arrow and action (Xand O) buttons. The arrow and action buttons are self-explanatory, so this guide will not cover them.

Kit

The Kit workspace is the main kit page where you can select, play, and edit the various kits available on the ALCHEM-E. To manage and edit the kits, press the Menu icon.

• Use the main knob to scroll through the drum kits. Alternatively, press the kit name to pull up the list of kits and select one from there.
• Enable cross stick by pressing XSTICK.

Inst

The Inst workspace allows you to change individual drum and cymbal samples. 

• Switch between the drum and cymbal triggers by pressing the drum and cymbal icons.
• Select the drum or cymbal you wish to change by pressing its associated name (e.g., Kick, Snare) at the bottom of the display.

Trig

You will use the Trig workspace to change the pad sound preset, threshold, and zone mode. Take time in the Trig workspace to fine-tune your pads so they feel as comfortable as possible.

Mix

The Mix workspace is where you will adjust the levels of the individual samples, the entire kit, and the module inputs and outputs. When you first press the Mix button, you can adjust the levels of each sample. Pressing Mixon the top-left corner of the display will open the mixer for the physical module inputs and outputs.

ALCHEM-E Hi-hat Calibration

Not all drummers have the same playing style, so calibrating your hi-hat trigger on the Zildjian ALCHEM-E is essential. Correct hi-hat calibration will ensure accurate hi-hat pedal and trigger performance.

1. Press the Trig button, press the cymbal icon at the top-right corner of the display, and press HH CTRL.
2. Loosen the hi-hat clutch so the top cymbal naturally rests on the bottom cymbal, then press 1. Calibrate.
3. Lift the top hi-hat cymbal to the desired height, tighten the hi-hat clutch, and press 2. Set Open.
4. Close the hi-hat with the footpedal, press 3. Set Closed,and press Save. 

Zildjian ALCHEM-E E-Kit | Getting Ready to Play Part 2: Dialing In HiHat Control

Update the Module Settings

Now that you’ve learned how to navigate the module, the last thing you need to do is to optimize the module settings to fit your playing style. Zildjian has made the optimization process straightforward, as most of it is done within the Trig workspace. Just choose the setting using the touchscreen, then use the main knob to adjust the selected setting.

• Cymbal optimization may take a little longer, as you must adjust the individual settings of all four zones of the cymbal (bow, edge, bell, and choke).

Zildjian ALCHEM-E E-Kit | Getting Ready to Play Part 3: Customize Trigger Settings

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