The ALPHA BASE is the new drum flagship of Jomox.
It's true analogue. Eleven instruments, sequencer, Midi/USB/SD-Card. Samples. Sampling inputs, balanced individual outputs.
Although it may appear similar to the classics XBASE 09, 999 and 888, the ALPHA BASE has an entirely new design under the hood. We have put in the concentrated know-how of the Jomox drum machines and of our synths of the past 20 years. We have simplified some things, but also added new components or have combined them new. The outcome is the best sounding and most versatile drum machine that Jomox has ever built.
Kick Drum
The center instrument still is the analog kick drum which has gotten a facelifting again. The legendary punch and assertiveness of all Jomox kicks is convincingly continued. LFO, pitch envelope, metallic noise and gate time are famous features that may not and do not miss out.
MBrane
As a second analog instrument, we have put in a complete MBrane voice. It covers a gigantic spectrum of analog snare drums, percussions, cow bells, claves, glasses, toms, bass drums etc. etc. It uses the technology of the Mod.Brane11. Of course, this instrument has 2 own LFOS, pitch envelopes and metallic noise as well.
Samples+Filter
The succeeding six instruments are built hybridly and consist of samples that are run through real analog filters and VCAs. Each analog sample channel has an own metallic noise that alternatively can be used as a signal source or being mixed to the sample.
With metallic noise only, it becomes a pure analog instrument again. Four channels make use of a multimode filter that is capable of resonance - again they can be used as true analog instruments with the self-oscillating filter as the only sound source if you wish.
Hi Hat
Two of these six channels are reserved for hi hats and make use of a proven and improved HH filter that was used in the XBASE 999 already. It is specialized for analog hi hats and may conjure wonderful noisy hi hats from a sample mixed with metallic noise.
Clap, Rim, Crash, Ride
The succeeding four channels have each a resonateable 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. If the filter is self-oscillating, one can create wonderful analog toms, claves, sticks etc. by means of the VCA envelope behind. Or even extremely bend samples sonically. By principle, each of the four MM filter sample channels is a little synth voice of its own. A sampled synth bass run through the analog filter is nearly indistinguishable from a real analog synth.
X Sample 1+2
Moreover, there are two sample instruments that work purely digital. It's even possible that the Alpha Base can sample external audio on these channels for about max. 5 seconds. Which is more than enough for drum samples. The recorded sample can be stored on SD card or being copied to the internal flash memory and then being played back by the other sample channels. Samples can also be copied from SD card into flash memory. The format is RAW/WAV mono 16 Bit / 48kHz. The internal organization divides samples into fixed memory slots that can be addressed by the parameter sample select in the instruments. All samples can be pitched and modulated in a wide range. The sample start and stop can be edited and they are loopable as well. Modulation targets are: pitch, filter cutoff and volume. Each channel has an own LFO for that.
FM Synth
As a little digital gadget we have added a mini FM synth. With 4 operators and maximum 6 voices it can create weird and crazy percussion sounds up to simple chords. Played over an external midi keyboard, it can be used as a polyphonic synth.
Effects
Two digital effects are on board: delay and reverb that act as send/return effects. Each of the analog instrument outputs has an own A/D converter. The delay effect can also being inserted into the 6 hybrid sample channels and becomes then part of the sound production chain. The reverb can easily being killed by an encoder click but is indeed a great advantage for life performances with minimal equipment. Reverb times may reach to almost inifinity, and the damping filters act quite extremely so that the reverb meets the requirement of modern electronic music and can be an essential part of sound.
Editing
For the editing of parameters there are 16 encoders arranged in a 4x4 matrix. Each instrument only addresses two pages by 16 values to make the editing as easy as possible, without deep menu cursors. The 24x2 character display can show 4 parameters at a glance.
Sequencer
The sequencer is made up as a 16 step running led sequencer and has 11 tracks. Each track has a maximum number of 64 steps, means four measures at a 16th resolution per measure. By the bar switch your can switch between the different measures.
The actually played number of steps is being controlled by function Last Step – for instance 32 for two measures, 48 to obtain 3 measures a.s.o. There is another great feature here: each track has its own Last Step, reaching from 1-64! That makes it possible to create complex rhythmic figures, because a track with e.g. 28 steps starts to shift a quarter (=4 steps) against the other 32 step tracks for each measure. That gives you the possibility for incredibly interesting rhythmic compositions with easiest means!
You can edit shuffle either per track or globally. Also a roll and flam function can be triggered on specific steps. The roll/flam-patterns can be chosen for every track individually - there is a wide variety of simple double hits to 3,4-fold rolls or even 12 retriggers at your choice.
Parameter Locks
Each track and step can sequence the instrument's pitch and one extra parameter.
The pitch track can be easily turned on and off with the button „Seq“.
In Seq Mode you can also program single parameter changes for individual steps. These can be every accessible instrument parameter or even whole instruments recalled from the preset-list per step. One holds a step key and changes the desired value, which programs the P-lock into that desired step.
Chain
Neighboured patterns can be easily chained by the Chain function in order to create simple song structures. Whilst in Chain mode, you hold both the desired step buttons (that select a pattern within 16 tracks) and create a pattern chain that is stored along with the actual first pattern.
Midi/DIN-Sync/USB
The ALPHA BASE has Midi In/Out/Thru and USB. As a USB Midi device you can seamlessly integrate the drum machine into the DAW. Midi clock sync or Clock Master let you perfectly sync the machine to the DAW. Each of the 11 instruments is played over an own midi channel and is being played by pitch and velocity. Of course, every of the internal parameters is controllable via Midi(USB) CCs and each internal knob transmits the actual CC via Midi(USB).
There is a simple 2-port DIN sync (5 Volts signals run/stop and clock) integrated into the Midi jacks , that may help you setting up with ancient DIN sync units a la TR-808, TB-303 and more.
Outputs
All outputs are balanced and yield a professional level of up to 22dBu (balanced mode). Punch and sound go together with a physical high output level. The internal analog supply range is an uncompromising +/-15 Volts. Opposing to the 999 we returned to an analog mix out volume potentiometer because it is simply easier to use and sonically neutral.
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
Product Overview
The ALPHA BASE is the new drum flagship of Jomox.
It's true analogue. Eleven instruments, sequencer, Midi/USB/SD-Card. Samples. Sampling inputs, balanced individual outputs.
Although it may appear similar to the classics XBASE 09, 999 and 888, the ALPHA BASE has an entirely new design under the hood. We have put in the concentrated know-how of the Jomox drum machines and of our synths of the past 20 years. We have simplified some things, but also added new components or have combined them new. The outcome is the best sounding and most versatile drum machine that Jomox has ever built.
Kick Drum
The center instrument still is the analog kick drum which has gotten a facelifting again. The legendary punch and assertiveness of all Jomox kicks is convincingly continued. LFO, pitch envelope, metallic noise and gate time are famous features that may not and do not miss out.
MBrane
As a second analog instrument, we have put in a complete MBrane voice. It covers a gigantic spectrum of analog snare drums, percussions, cow bells, claves, glasses, toms, bass drums etc. etc. It uses the technology of the Mod.Brane11. Of course, this instrument has 2 own LFOS, pitch envelopes and metallic noise as well.
Samples+Filter
The succeeding six instruments are built hybridly and consist of samples that are run through real analog filters and VCAs. Each analog sample channel has an own metallic noise that alternatively can be used as a signal source or being mixed to the sample.
With metallic noise only, it becomes a pure analog instrument again. Four channels make use of a multimode filter that is capable of resonance - again they can be used as true analog instruments with the self-oscillating filter as the only sound source if you wish.
Hi Hat
Two of these six channels are reserved for hi hats and make use of a proven and improved HH filter that was used in the XBASE 999 already. It is specialized for analog hi hats and may conjure wonderful noisy hi hats from a sample mixed with metallic noise.
Clap, Rim, Crash, Ride
The succeeding four channels have each a resonateable 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. If the filter is self-oscillating, one can create wonderful analog toms, claves, sticks etc. by means of the VCA envelope behind. Or even extremely bend samples sonically. By principle, each of the four MM filter sample channels is a little synth voice of its own. A sampled synth bass run through the analog filter is nearly indistinguishable from a real analog synth.
X Sample 1+2
Moreover, there are two sample instruments that work purely digital. It's even possible that the Alpha Base can sample external audio on these channels for about max. 5 seconds. Which is more than enough for drum samples. The recorded sample can be stored on SD card or being copied to the internal flash memory and then being played back by the other sample channels. Samples can also be copied from SD card into flash memory. The format is RAW/WAV mono 16 Bit / 48kHz. The internal organization divides samples into fixed memory slots that can be addressed by the parameter sample select in the instruments. All samples can be pitched and modulated in a wide range. The sample start and stop can be edited and they are loopable as well. Modulation targets are: pitch, filter cutoff and volume. Each channel has an own LFO for that.
FM Synth
As a little digital gadget we have added a mini FM synth. With 4 operators and maximum 6 voices it can create weird and crazy percussion sounds up to simple chords. Played over an external midi keyboard, it can be used as a polyphonic synth.
Effects
Two digital effects are on board: delay and reverb that act as send/return effects. Each of the analog instrument outputs has an own A/D converter. The delay effect can also being inserted into the 6 hybrid sample channels and becomes then part of the sound production chain. The reverb can easily being killed by an encoder click but is indeed a great advantage for life performances with minimal equipment. Reverb times may reach to almost inifinity, and the damping filters act quite extremely so that the reverb meets the requirement of modern electronic music and can be an essential part of sound.
Editing
For the editing of parameters there are 16 encoders arranged in a 4x4 matrix. Each instrument only addresses two pages by 16 values to make the editing as easy as possible, without deep menu cursors. The 24x2 character display can show 4 parameters at a glance.
Sequencer
The sequencer is made up as a 16 step running led sequencer and has 11 tracks. Each track has a maximum number of 64 steps, means four measures at a 16th resolution per measure. By the bar switch your can switch between the different measures.
The actually played number of steps is being controlled by function Last Step – for instance 32 for two measures, 48 to obtain 3 measures a.s.o. There is another great feature here: each track has its own Last Step, reaching from 1-64! That makes it possible to create complex rhythmic figures, because a track with e.g. 28 steps starts to shift a quarter (=4 steps) against the other 32 step tracks for each measure. That gives you the possibility for incredibly interesting rhythmic compositions with easiest means!
You can edit shuffle either per track or globally. Also a roll and flam function can be triggered on specific steps. The roll/flam-patterns can be chosen for every track individually - there is a wide variety of simple double hits to 3,4-fold rolls or even 12 retriggers at your choice.
Parameter Locks
Each track and step can sequence the instrument's pitch and one extra parameter.
The pitch track can be easily turned on and off with the button „Seq“.
In Seq Mode you can also program single parameter changes for individual steps. These can be every accessible instrument parameter or even whole instruments recalled from the preset-list per step. One holds a step key and changes the desired value, which programs the P-lock into that desired step.
Chain
Neighboured patterns can be easily chained by the Chain function in order to create simple song structures. Whilst in Chain mode, you hold both the desired step buttons (that select a pattern within 16 tracks) and create a pattern chain that is stored along with the actual first pattern.
Midi/DIN-Sync/USB
The ALPHA BASE has Midi In/Out/Thru and USB. As a USB Midi device you can seamlessly integrate the drum machine into the DAW. Midi clock sync or Clock Master let you perfectly sync the machine to the DAW. Each of the 11 instruments is played over an own midi channel and is being played by pitch and velocity. Of course, every of the internal parameters is controllable via Midi(USB) CCs and each internal knob transmits the actual CC via Midi(USB).
There is a simple 2-port DIN sync (5 Volts signals run/stop and clock) integrated into the Midi jacks , that may help you setting up with ancient DIN sync units a la TR-808, TB-303 and more.
Outputs
All outputs are balanced and yield a professional level of up to 22dBu (balanced mode). Punch and sound go together with a physical high output level. The internal analog supply range is an uncompromising +/-15 Volts. Opposing to the 999 we returned to an analog mix out volume potentiometer because it is simply easier to use and sonically neutral.
Technical Specs
Shipping Details
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
