WHERE TO BUY?
ALPHA BASE: ANALOG DRUM SYNTHESIZER
KEY FEATURES
11 instruments:
Kick Drum, MBrane, Cl HiHat, Op HiHat, Clap, Rim Shot, Crash, Ride, X Sample 1, X Sample 2, FM Synth.Real analog Jomox kick.
Genuine analog Jomox MBrane voice with 2 connectable F-OSC for complex analog snare, percussion and tom sounds from 16Hz to 20kHz.
2 sample-based instruments with analog VCA envelope and / or HH filter, plus metal noise as a signal source. The HH filter is 2-pole, HP / LP / Res for each individual parameter, peak capable but not oscillating.
4 sample-based instruments with analog VCA envelope and / or resonance-capable multimode filter (LP, HP, BP) with ADSR envelope, plus metal noise as a signal source. The multimode filter can also be used as a signal generator to generate analog toms or sticks.
2 sample-based instruments with external sampling input and purely digital playback.
1 FM synth with 4 operators and max. 6 voices for percussive sounds.
Effects delay, reverb with Send po instrument, can also be looped into the analog signal path with CH, OH, Clp, Rim, Ride
LFOs: One LFO per instrument (MBrane 2 LFOs) with 64 waveforms, each assignable to Pitch, VCA, Fil Cut.
250 samples 16 bit / 48kHz in the internal flash.
SD card slot for loading samples.
USB (Midi Device).
Midi In, Midi Out, Midi Thru.
DIN Sync 2x in sockets Midi Out or Midi Thru.
Inputs: Stereo In for Sampling, FX, Sidechain. Both inputs are Hi-Z suitable for guitar / bass and work up to line level + 20dB.
Outputs: 8 single outputs balanced, stereo mix balanced, headphone.
Output level: max. approx. + 14dBu unbalanced, + 20dBu balanced at all outputs.
18 encoder.
Input Volume, Phones Volume and Mix Volume are analog potentiometers.
LCD display 2x 24 characters.
12V 2A DC external power supply.
Stable sheet steel housing.
Wooden side parts, rubber feet.
Dimensions 410mm x 240mm x 80mm (rear).
Weight about 3.3kg
OVERVIEW
The ALPHA BASE is the new drum flagship from Jomox.
Available since September 2017.
Analogous. Eleven instruments, sequencer, midi / USB / SD card. Samples. Sampling inputs, symmetrical individual outputs.
Although it looks a lot like the classics XBASE09, 999 and 888, there is a completely new development under the hood, in which the entire know-how of the analog Jomox drum machines and our synths of the last 20 years has flowed. We have simplified some things, but also added new components or combined them in new ways. The result is a product that can undoubtedly be described as the best sounding and most versatile Jomox drum synthesizer.
SOUND DEMOS
What does ALPHA BASE sound like?
The Best Sounding and Most Versatile JoMoX Drum Synthesizer.
Kick Drum
The central instrument is still the analog kick drum, which has been given another facelift. The legendary pressure and assertiveness of all Jomox kicks is convincingly continued here. LFO, Pitch Envelope, Metal Noise and Gate Time are well-known features that should not be missing.
MBrane
We donated a whole MBrane voice as a second completely analog instrument. It covers a gigantic spectrum of analog snare drums, percussions, cow bells, claves, glasses, toms, bass drums etc. The technology of the Mod.Brane11 is used here. Of course, this instrument also has 2 of its own LFOs, pitch envelopes and metal noise.
Samples + filters
The following six instruments have a hybrid structure and consist of samples that are sent through fully analog filters and VCAs. Each analog sample channel also has its own metal noise, which can be used as a signal source as an alternative to or mixed with the sample. With metal noise it becomes a purely analog instrument.
Completely new development under the hood.
Hi Hat
Two of these six channels are reserved for hi hats and have a tried and tested and improved HH filter that was already used in XBASE999. It is very well suited for analog hi-hats and can conjure up wonderful noisy hi-hats from a sample together with metal noise and the VCA envelope.
Clap, Rim, Crash, Ride
The four other channels have an analogue resonance-capable 2-pole multimode filter that can be switched between LP, HP and BP. The filter cutoff can be modulated by an ADSR envelope and an LFO per instrument. When the filter is in resonance, this can also be used in conjunction with the VCA envelope to create wonderful analog toms, claves, sticks, etc. Or bend samples in an extreme way. In principle, each of the 4 MM sample channels is a complete synth voice. A sampled synth bass in connection with the analog filter can hardly be distinguished from a real analog synth.
X sample 1 + 2
There are also two sample instruments that work purely digitally. The Alpha Base can also sample on these channels itself, but only for about 4 seconds. Which is more than sufficient for drums. The recorded sample can be saved on SD card or copied into the internal flash and then played back permanently from all other channels. Samples can also be copied from the SD card into the flash samples. The format is RAW / WAV mono 16 bit / 48kHz. The internal sample management is predefined and assigns fixed memory areas for the samples, which can be called up in the instrument using Sample Select. All samples can be tuned and modulated over a wide range. The start and stop points can be edited and they are also loopable. The following can be modulated: pitch, filter cutoff and volume.
Built in synth and effects.
FM Synth
As a little digital treat we have also built in a mini FM synth. With 4 operators and a maximum of 6 voices, it can play wacky percussion sounds up to simple polyphonic chords. It can be played like a polyhonic synth using an external midi keyboard.
Effects
Two digital effects are also on board: Delay and Reverb, which can be fed with sends from the respective analog instrument outputs (each has its own A / D converter). The delay can be inserted into the analog signal path of one of the 6 hybrid sample channels and then becomes a sound generator. The reverb can easily be switched off by clicking the encoder, but it is a great sound enhancement for life performances with minimal resources. The reverb times go almost to infinity and the damping filters are extremely effective, so that the reverb also meets the demands of electronic music is fair.
Endless editing possibilities.
Editing
16 encoders are available for entering the parameters, which are arranged in a 4x4 array. Each instrument has only two pages with 16 values each, in order to make the input as easy and intuitive as possible. The 2x24 character LCD can display 4 parameters at a glance.
Sequencer
As usual, the sequencer is designed as a 16-step running light sequencer and has 11 tracks. Each track in a pattern has a maximum number of 64 steps, i.e. 4 bars with a 16th resolution per bar. The bar button is used to toggle between the individual bars.
The actually played number of steps per track is set via Last Step - eg 32 for 2 bars, 48 for 3 bars, etc. The Alpha Base Sequencer has a special feature here: each track has its own Last Step from 1-64! This makes complex polyrhythmic figures possible, because a track with, for example, 28 steps shifts each measure by a quarter (= 4 steps) compared to the others with 32 steps. The patterns are starting to come alive ...
Shuffle can be set either globally or per track. Roll and Flam can also be triggered with individual steps. The roll / flam pattern can be selected individually for each track - many different patterns are possible from double hits to triple or quadruple rolls or even 12 retriggers per step.
Parameter locks
Each instrument track can sequence pitch and one additional parameter per step.
The pitch track can easily be switched on and off with the Seq button.
In Seq mode, individual parameter changes can be set per step - these can contain all available instrument parameters, but also, for example, that instruments can be switched from the preset list for each step. You hold down a step key and change the desired value, which writes the P-Lock to the desired position.
Chain
The adjacent patterns can be lined up with the chain function in order to create simple song structures.
MIDI and USB In/Out/Thru
Midi / DIN-Sync / USB
The Alpha Base has Midi In / Out / Thru and USB. As a USB midi device, it can be easily integrated into the DAW and can then also work as a midi interface. Midi clock and clock master can perfectly synchronize the internal sequencer to the DAW. Each of the 11 instruments is controlled via its own channel and played by the midi notes with velocity and pitch. Of course, the internal parameters of all instruments can be remotely controlled via Midi CCs.
A simple DIN sync out is integrated into the midi sockets Out and Thru, which helps even with primeval sync species such as TR-808, TB-303 etc. with the setup out of the clamp.
Outputs
All outputs are symmetrical and provide plenty of levels (symmetrical up to approx. + 22dbu max.) And pressure in a professional studio environment. The internal analog power supply works with uncompromising +/- 15 volts. In contrast to the XBASE 999, we have returned to an analog potentiometer for the mix volume. It just works more easily and is tonally neutral.
DON’T MISS A BEAT
Download firmware updates, tools, manuals, and other content for your Alpha Base.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE MAKING WITH ALPHA BASE
