Meinl ALUMINUM ROCARS

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

The rocar (often equated with the "chocalho" in the context of Brazilian percussion) is an essential instrument in samba ensembles, responsible for maintaining the continuous rhythmic carpet that "drives" the music forward. With the Aluminium Rocar series, MEINL offers a modern interpretation designed for the current demands of percussionists: durability, manufacturing consistency, and sound efficiency in real situations. The RC2-L stands as the large model version in the aluminium range, prioritizing projection and comfort with a more generous instrument size.

Who This Drum/Rocar Is For

The MEINL RC2-L is aimed at intermediate to advanced percussionists who play in groups and need a clear, stable, and durable instrument. In samba, batucada, Afro-Brazilian music, fanfares, and street percussion, its wide format and brightness facilitate setup and impact, even within a dense ensemble (surdo, caixa, repinique). It is also suitable for studio use when a precise metallic texture with a clean and controlled sound is desired.

Features and Innovations

Built around an aluminium frame, the RC2-L targets efficiency: a lightweight structure that responds quickly to movements, and a set of aluminium cymbalettes designed to produce a direct sound without softness. The large format provides a sense of stability and a more "open" response, useful for confidently maintaining the rhythmic continuum. In practice, the instrument allows working on different articulations (steady pulse, accents, rebounds) while maintaining a high level of definition in noisy contexts such as parades, festivals, and amplified stages.

Sound

Aluminium strongly influences the sonic signature: it delivers a clear attack, pronounced brightness, and a dry character (with generally shorter and better-controlled sustain than some "softer" alternatives). The result: the rocar fits very well in the upper spectrum, where samba needs clarity to remain audible at high tempos.

The aluminium cymbalettes promote a precise and cutting texture, with projection that naturally "cuts through" the ensemble. This is particularly effective for outdoor playing or in the middle of a full bateria: the sound remains present without effort, and accents stand out clearly. For the player, this quick response helps maintain clean playing, especially when dynamics increase and tempo accelerates.

Technical specifications

Instrument size	Large	Material	aluminium
Category	handheld	Color	Grey
Type	Rocar	Finishing	Glossy

Size	Large (large model)	Rows of cymbalettes	3 rows
Frame	aluminium	Dimensions (L x H x D)	43.5 x 5.0 x 20.0 cm
Cymbalettes	aluminium	Model	MEINL RC2-L