Jomox Alphabase Demo

Analog Without Compromises : The Jomox Alphabase Demo
Alphabase Sample Pack : dc11music.bandcamp.com/releases
This sample pack (and many others) are included for All-Access Patreons ;)
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2:25 -Intro + Initial Thoughts
5:58 - Kick Drum
17:48 - Mbrane
24:58 - Hi Hats
31:35 - Sample + MMF +VCA
35:54 - X Samples & FM Synth
42:03 - Mini Jam
45:17 - In Use : Making a Pattern from Scratch
1:07:00 - Shift Functions
1:14:30 - P-Locks
1:18:28 - Conclusion

[@GeekGearSynths]

Great demo! I want to make some additions: 1. Kick: - Compression is not a classical compressor, but it shapes your VCA decay envelope. - LFO shapes are a wave file itself. You can upload your own LFO shapes into the AB! - Velocity. With external MIDI the AB is full velocity responsive. 2. MBrane - Cup is coupling. Basically analog FM between the oscillators. 3. HiHat & Co -. ADSRs: Sustain is really the sustain level. Not the hold time. Triggered externally, you've got real ADSR envelopes. - LFO rate: S is slower yes, but in the S settings the LFO is synced to MIDI clock. The other LFO runs freely. 4. FM synth - It actually has 6 voices! But you have to sequence it externally to unleash them. So, chords are pretty easy :) Maybe the features under the hood will bring you into MIDI ;-).

[@LucasMarchal]

Thanks for all the precisions ! I knew the compressor was doing something along those lines but wasn’t sure what exactly. Maybe I’ll get into midi one of these days. Try to sequence it with my Octatrack. Since the internal sequencer works for me I never felt the urge…

[@entropydisorder6359]

About LFO rate， so LFO sync is actually a retriggering the LFO cycle？ and sLFO is the LFO time that is synced to MIDI Clock？

[@GeekGearSynths]

@@entropydisorder6359 It just means that the LFO frequency is relative to the clock settings (half notes, quarter notes, whole note, you name it). So, it's rather simple to set an LFO which has the same rythm. The reset on trigger can be set as well. There is a dedicated entry in the menu. The difference: Consider you have an LFO synchronized to clock such that it resets every second step (on cycle = 1/8th bar). The the instrument would sound different when triggered on step 1 or step 2. Because it's exactly half of an LFO cycle difference. When LFsyn is set (page B, lower left encoder) the instrument will reset the LFO on both steps. So, step 1 half a cycle then restart on step 2.

[@entropydisorder6359]

@@GeekGearSynths Really appreciate your clarification!

[@Smartinet]

6:00 Kick Drum 17:48 Mbrane 25:34 hi hat 31:46 clap rimshot crash ride 35:54 X Sampler 1 & 2 36:50 FM Synth

[@WayneLansdowne]

Fantastic video! Thank you! I have an Alpha Base arriving hopefully this week and you just gave me the best video overview manual I could have hoped for!

[@LucasMarchal]

Great ! Enjoy your Alphabase :) Hope the video will be useful to get to know it !

[@noisevector]

Very nice demo. It has a very distinct sound. Thanks for the time!

[@LucasMarchal]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@jamalyannicguzmansierra7996]

I'm a proud owner of a jomox MBase. The mightes kickdrum on earth.. But you really impressed me with the alpha base.. I'm going to buy this beauty! Sounds wicked!

[@hofmann_25]

Great rundown of the best drum machine on the planet!

[@LucasMarchal]

Thanks a lot ! Was afraid it would be a bit too much to digest as a demo

[@partirparlesarmoires]

Merci ! Superbe démo-tutoriel !

[@vinylarchaeologist]

I’ve watched many of your tutorials several times because there’s always new nuances to be found, your music being a perfect fit for repetition. Here are some to add to your list: the DFAM (how you use it), and the Verbos Scan & Pan (I’ve seen you explain a little thing about it in one of your videos, and it was quite interesting). Thanks!

[@LucasMarchal]

Thanks a lot, I'm glad these have some rewatch value. The DFAM has been on the list for a while, Scan and Pan could definitely be interesting as it packs a punch and can be used in a variety of ways.

[@PK-ct1bm]

Great Vid, great skills in usage, fun to watch!

[@Superbasic_techno]

Another amazing video, thank you! As an analog rytm user I was always curious what's on the other side. Very impressive sounds and a no-BS UI and feature set, I love this thing

[@LucasMarchal]

Thanks !

[@dreamspyiceland]

As a recent switcher from AR I must say for those who are not gelling with the analog engines on the AR (like I was), then the AB is a possible solution. You just have to try to forget about the amazing Elektron sequencer ;) But the sounds are worth it I'd say.

[@gregbrookman]

I bought one of these today because of this video. Thanks Lucas 👍

[@ericpeters0n]

"It's more interesting to just wiggle around." :) 100% true facts, my friend. Words to live by.

[@vinylarchaeologist]

I love your long-form demos.

[@LucasMarchal]

Thank you ! This is the longest long form I'll ever be I think ;)

[@vinylarchaeologist]

@@LucasMarchal Wait till you do a full-length demo of the Intellijel 1U Mult!

[@LucasMarchal]

@@vinylarchaeologist the world isn't ready

[@wurlitsyzer9810]

Great Video about the AB, thx a lot, great sounds :)

[@christopherpederson1021]

The fm synth is truly stunning

[@NickHchaos]

Funny, it’s one of the only things about mine I really dislike. It sounds so cheesy and obviously digital in a cheap sort of way..which it was-it’s even phrases in the manual as some kind of free add on they were able to cram in at “no extra cost.” But whatever, the analog sounds and sampled sounds through the analog filters and VCAs are pretty great.

[@jeremietoussaint4085]

Super vidéo qui ne fait que sur-valider un futur achat :)

[@LucasMarchal]

Une excellente machine :)

Amazing informative video! thanks for sharing knowledge

[@LucasMarchal]

Glad you liked it :)

[@vinyljunkie07]

It sounds soooooo good

[@wurlitsyzer9810]

"Spend some time with it, sure you can make mistakes but you can make mistakes in every where every aspects of Life, so why not do them while using a great Drummachine" Quote: Lucas Marchal Great Line :)

[@LucasMarchal]

ahah thank you :)

[@cpro909]

this techno demo is fascinating!

[@LucasMarchal]

thank you !

[@mikegeary8056]

Big boy drum machine

[@LucasMarchal]

Indeed

[@peterking3131]

The best drum machine ever made sonic-wise. Real fun plus much better compared to any modular and specially VST.

[@serdarsaydan]

i highly recommend to layer the kickdrum with the mbrane together. you can push the kick drum way more with the mbrane to give it and extra texture. it becomes a massive kick ❤

[@claycowartisamazing]

I have a sherman filterbank 2 right underneath mine... it fucks up the kick very nicely xD

[@mischfrequenz]

thank you! and yes - its the best Dampfhammer out there :)

[@definty]

Nice demo my dude! You gonna make more samples packs I would defiantly get some more off you

[@LucasMarchal]

Thanks a lot ! Yes I definitely wanna do more and already have a couple ideas. It's time consuming to do properly but worth it I think :)

[@automationtraveler]

Great job

[@bilonggrisimmeri]

This was very interesting for me to imagine how you make Alpha Base sounds on my Roland MC-505 (don't laugh you hip people). M-Brane is the one which stumped me, though with 505 PCM samples, JX engine and effects, I get many possibilities, with lots of aliasing, harshness and digital artefacts.

[@unitedsouls11]

thank you so much !!!

[@LucasMarchal]

you're welcome :)

[@MordioMusic]

I always wanted this thing but you show me again why. Thanks for the video.

[@DayflightTrok]

I use an Alpha Base since 2 years and had before an Elektron AR. The best choice I made because Techno needs punch and variations. The AB is not easy to use but a it is a really expirience machine.

[@SBX-1]

Wow!!! I want!!

[@thomas.moerman]

Thanks!

[@LucasMarchal]

Thanks for watching !

[@Andy-iw9su]

Regarding accents the alpha base is velocity sensitive, so if dynamic accents are super important then it’s available via external sequencing.

[@LucasMarchal]

Yeah of course ! In practice (and for my use) I find the onboard one level accent enough and quite dynamic already. You have the lfo on vca option too.

[@Andy-iw9su]

@@LucasMarchal I’ve recently subscribed to your channel. I find your content and music to be quite well done.

[@LucasMarchal]

@@Andy-iw9su Thank you ! Much appreciated

[@borristhebulletdodger7562]

The way you say "shit" cracks me up 🤣

[@LucasMarchal]

ahah french accent ;)

[@letmefeelthevibes]

Tu déchires, merci pour le petit tour de la machine! J'hésite à la pécho maintenant ou attendre la mk2 qui va sortir cette année avec un nouvel écran. L'écran de la mk1 a son charme je trouve :)

[@LucasMarchal]

J'ai pas l'impression qu'il y ait une différence incroyable entre les deux...

[@KentBuchla]

Smart choice. Let the modular do its thing and get a sophisticated drum box or two to do what they do well. The modular can still do percussion and add flavor (sample it!) but it is too expensive and time-consuming to rely upon modulars as a primary and repeatable percussion source. Modular in a box is always good for drums.

[@EdgetoneStudios]

Thanks for the in depth video. I am still learning my Alpha Base and picked up a few pointers. I also agree that it's a fantastic machine. I replaced a Tempest with the Alpha Base as the feature drum machine as my recording studio. My primary reason for replacing the Tempest was the poor MIDI integration capabilities. The Alpha Base works very well over MIDI, though it does have a few quirks. One of the cool features is that each instrument responds on it's on MIDI channel and will respond to MIDI pitch. So with individual MIDI tracks for each Alpha Base instrument, you can write "melodies" for the drums (similar to P-Locking the Pitch) and do full chords with the FM synth. You can also just talk to it on MIDI channel 16 and have 4 pitches per sound. A little bit easier to program, but less flexible.

[@LucasMarchal]

You're welcome ! I've heard that the midi integration is great, I've just never really messed with anything midi in my life.

[@mojibake7868]

I recently picked up a Digitakt and am currently sequencing my Alpha Base through that. I really hate the Alpha Base's SEQ mode. The Alpha Base screen constantly flickers between menu's when I use P-Locks / SEQ. Sequencing with the Digitakt also makes it possible to change more than 1 parameter per step (limitation on the Alpha Base with P-Locks). Also the Digitakt conditional triggers are great. Alpha Base + Digitakt is my new favorite combo! :)

[@LucasMarchal]

@@mojibake7868 Yeah I need to try it with my Octatrack, but I like the internal groove of the AB sequencer a lot.

[@TheTomekkkk]

🥰🔥

[@2point7182818284590]

I love the Alpha Base. Way more punchy than the Analog Rytm and way more interesting for sound synthesis these days than the classic 909.

[@LucasMarchal]

It is super dynamic and punchy that's for sure. Also the synthesis options are quite deep.

[@christopherpederson1021]

I would kill to hear this drum machine play other than techno or house😂

[@partirparlesarmoires]

@@christopherpederson1021 I'm currently making darkwave/synthpop/minimalwave/EBM with it and I think it is also great at that (you need to design your own drum kits for this purpose, the stock kits are not very much oriented in this direction). Would be great for trip-hop, too... And many other genres as it is very flexible.

[@christopherpederson1021]

​@@partirparlesarmoires I make lots of weird rhythms with it. It does so many great things. The pitch changes in the sequencer are the best. Also, I would like to see a sample update someday: maybe provide some new samples to download, but I am quite content with the onboard sounds. Like it has been said, this thing is really punchy and the bass drum is insane thick and creamy

[@NickHchaos]

@@christopherpederson1021 upload your own samples? That’s what In do

[@michelvanderwall8710]

Merci !

[@LucasMarchal]

De rien ;)

[@michelvanderwall8710]

What is this for an specific "Magma" stand? Thanks

[@LucasMarchal]

@@michelvanderwall8710 The stand is a magma vektor

[@michelvanderwall8710]

Great, thanks man!

[@mattyg499]

Spectralis is a huge beast too.more complex too.sure its a hybrid.but overlooked by most…

[@vytear]

Cup is a strange abbreviation for couple. IE membrane 1 coupling to membrane 2 and vice versa.

[@wackerburg]

I wonder how well this would work in my drum machine arsenal, which is 909, 808, 727, 707 and loads of sets in an MPC 2000 XL. Great to hear that your machine has no major bugs anymore. To be honest, that´s what you read all the time with JoMoX machines unfortunately. And it always held me back from buying one of Jürgen´s products. --- Btw, this myth that a 909 has to be processed in order to sound awesome is nonsense. My 909 sounds incredible as is.

[@LucasMarchal]

The Alphabase is pretty free from bugs ! It's a great machine I think with a lot to explore. Most of all it sounds great. I've heard 909 live and it's true that they sound amazing on a PA

[@NickHchaos]

The AB is kind of a “best of” of some of those classic Roland drums IMO with more careful thought and up to date work on processing, sampling, etc.

[@wackerburg]

@@NickHchaos From what I hear in these demos, it sounds unique to me. Which is a good thing! To my ears JoMoX machines always had their own sound, yet they're inspired by mostly the 909, of course. In general, I am not too fond of machines emulating other machines. I own some 303-derivates and none sound and grooves like the real thing. Which is okay, since the actually complement the original 303 very well, BECAUSE they're different. Using a 909 or 808 is like driving an oldtimer car. It's not about the amount of features. But "careful thought" is something I would attach to the 808! 🙂 One has to put it into perspective imho. When you consider what has been around at that time, the 808 IS a well thought and interesting product. It's a major leap from the CR-78. I really like to dive into the usage-concept of each of these machines. And I adore their sounds as they are. BIG time ;-)

[@wackerburg]

@@LucasMarchal Oh good to read that! Maybe I will be brave enough during next #superbooth and ask Jürgen about this, too. I really like his approach in general. Yes, for some reason the 909 is perfect for those big PA systems in clubs. The kick drum is not too heavy, yet it has all it needs to entertain us techno and house people \m_ All its sounds are well balanced against each other imho.

[@NickHchaos]

@@wackerburg i agree. The 808 is a very simple but inspiring machine to me. I owned 2 Yocto clones (which are *pretty* close to an 808..as close as exists for the price) and I loved and recorded the hell out of them. After I bought the AB I sold them to justify the cost, although I recently bought a Vermona Drm mkiv with trigger which I got to use as more of an expansive sound pallet in conjunction with my eurorack, which is about as opposite a drum synth from the Jomox you could make, so I think they will complement each other well. Other than that, all my other electronic sounds are generated by my modular system.

[@mackman6747]

Question. When I trigger the sounds manually it sounds louder than in the play sequence. 🤔

[@dreamspyiceland]

Good overview. You recommend a stand ?

[@LucasMarchal]

I really like the magma vektor

[@mickvdzwan]

Hi, do you know this : "orange is accent, red is normal step velocity". If i set red trigger, al triggers seems short, of i press the voice key+ trigger ( Orange) it seems like its not accented and plays the full sound. Must be doing spmethinf wrong :)

[@christopherwhitehall2565]

When you turn on the Overstayer, what model are you using?

[@LucasMarchal]

It's usually set on MAS 3

[@rinocarella]

hi Lucas graet video thank you so much ! how i can get the upgrde 1.49 please !?

[@LucasMarchal]

There’s a file on the Jomox website where you can download it. It’s not super obvious but it’s there.

[@1000ciels]

Hello and thanks! What is the "Overstayer"? I see it's a brand, not a specific piece of hardware...

[@LucasMarchal]

I'm referring to the Overstayer Modular Channel

[@1000ciels]

@@LucasMarchal Thank you!

[@cores303]

i sold my tr-808 & tr-909, i buy a Jomox AB = it is the best simply... c'est la machine TECHNO par exellence...

[@LucasMarchal]

Oh yes :)

[@cooltigermusic]

So my question is: How do you synchronise it with a modular synth, without using Ableton and delay compensation? Would be great to have a tutorial

[@cooltigermusic]

ok actually I found your answer in your Resilience live set :)

[@LucasMarchal]

@@cooltigermusic Ah nice ! Yes I use Pamela's new workout it is super tight.

[@NickHchaos]

Any midi module

[@laurentmialon2594]

Just a question : at 44'40", the sound has got more body, did you use then some external EQ ?

[@LucasMarchal]

Yes the Overstayer Modular Channel.

[@laurentmialon2594]

@@LucasMarchal merci Lucas _ what this adds !!

[@laurentmialon2594]

@@LucasMarchal what a beast this is … I understand the cult !

[@LucasMarchal]

@@laurentmialon2594 yeah it's absolutely amazing :)

[@toumbas]

thanks! what happens at 44:30 when everything becomes huge?

[@LucasMarchal]

That's when I turn on the Overstayer Modular Channel :)

[@toumbas]

@@LucasMarchal oh my goodness, need to order one now!

[@LucasMarchal]

@@toumbas Apparently it's 15-16 months wait right now, so better order quick ;) It's absolutely amazing through. Check my channel, I've made a video where I run the Alphabase through it.

[@peglapegla]

@@LucasMarchal Its almost like cheating haha :) Great video man. Cheers

[@Superbasic_techno]

It was a truly magical moment, like when I first fell in love 😄

[@cosmobiolog1488]

Hi mate! 1:05:55 what do you use for drums ?

[@LucasMarchal]

I think you can guess ?

[@cosmobiolog1488]

@@LucasMarchal which effects do you use for drums? Is it saturation?

[@LucasMarchal]

@@cosmobiolog1488 In this example I use a few on the individual channels like reverb and delays, and on the master I have the Overstayer Modular Channel which is a stereo saturation, eq, compression unit.

[@demonkoryu]

I was torn because I really only wanted it for the kickdrum, but with the hat examples from 33:24 ... sigh... what's the current rate for a kidney?

[@LucasMarchal]

yeah the filter in there sounds pretty good and you can shape all sorts of hat with it ! AB mkII is coming out soon, maybe the mkI will sell for less !

[@demonkoryu]

@@LucasMarchal In October, I'm not sure if I can restrain myself until then... :D

[@billjohnroe2962]

Ready to kick drum at 130 BPM?

[@mamakuproject]

can you tap record your trigs on this?

[@LucasMarchal]

I believe so but I've never done it.

[@christopherpederson1021]

Can you load samples using a Mac? I understand it needs to go on the SD card

[@LucasMarchal]

don't see why not but I've never loaded samples in the AB

[@DubFreakuencies]

Altough it sounds awesome IMHO still cannot beat the Tempest, soundwise.

[@meilstone]

Does anyone know whether the kick circuitry is the same as the Mbase 11?

[@LucasMarchal]

I think it was updated in the AB but still quite similar

[@meilstone]

@@LucasMarchal Yup, works and sounds similar, maybe a bit tighter.

[@meilstone]

Thanks. Great demo by the way, I like machines that encourage you to use your ears.

[@TheJKOLP]

What overstayer are you using?

[@LucasMarchal]

the modular channel

[@TheJKOLP]

@@LucasMarchal Ever use a destressor on the AB? I am deciding between an Overstayer MC and the Distressor to add extra punch

[@LucasMarchal]

@@TheJKOLP No I haven't got the chance to try the Distressor but i'm sure it's great too !

[@truman90]

It is dificult to program this machine ?

[@LucasMarchal]

not at all

[@1vootman]

I wish these had MPC style pads, like a tempest...if it had that it would be the ultimate drum machine.

[@LucasMarchal]

I've never live programmed a drum machine ever but I'm sure it would be nice !

[@petrusbarbatusberolinensis2102]

What I don’t get: Why doesn’t it have a dedicated button to activate the realtime recording mode?! Why can’t there be a firmware update that attributes the X-Rec button to exactly that function? 😢

[@LucasMarchal]

maybe in mkII ?

[@petrusbarbatusberolinensis2102]

@@LucasMarchal It would be way more efficient. How often do you actually use the X-Rec button?

[@LucasMarchal]

Never used it ahah. I never recorded anything with the AB@@petrusbarbatusberolinensis2102

[@petrusbarbatusberolinensis2102]

@@LucasMarchal my point exactly, dude! 😃

[@RoastLambShanks]

"Is it better than Elektron Rytm" is not the question, of course it is. The question is how does it stand up to the 909 or 808, both.

[@LucasMarchal]

I'd say it's voiced a bit more towards a 909 but you can do a good imitation of an 808 too. It has the lows and it has the mid-weight punch too, proper 909 punch I'd say. Then again I've never used a real one.

[@SkratchingCatRecords]

Ok, this is really nice. I had my Electron drum machine stolen from me in Madrid airport. Looking for this to replace it.

[@anyme3046]

I feel sorry for you hopefully you’re back on your feet again I disliked your comment because I hate stealing.

[@JS-wd2bk]

Great machine.I have the AB and the Rytm mkii and the AB is a beast compared to the Rytm.And about the design, the jomox is beautiful. Rytm sounds have their place, but IMHO I think the Rytm is overpriced.If I knew the AB before, probably I wouldn't buy the Rytm. Having also the Tempest, I can say the Jomox is the only one that can compare to it. Thanks for the tutorial.Love your music.

[@substance90]

I love the sound of my AB but honestly, it's the shittiest layout and interface ever designed on a drum machine. If you're into sound design, you should check out the DSI Tempest. It's insanely powerful and expressive.

[@LucasMarchal]

I have, but I don't quite agree :)

[@NickHchaos]

Shame about those boring DCOs and curtis filters on everything..that’s why I sold mine. I think that kind of tech in synths will be seen pretty soon as an outdated relic that is neither here nor there. Everything has either moved towards (or back, since these all existed back to the 60s) much more proper analog (good quality VCOs, not DCOs, way better sounding filters) OR super high resolution purely digital oscillators that honestly usually sound as good or better than those years of awkward DSI synths when they were the only game in town doing that kind of stuff.

[@mojibake7868]

Came here for the Alpha Base, but it seems I _need_ to get an Overstayer Modular Channel as well 😭 Such a fat, clear and rich sound. It's way outside of my budget though. Do you (or anyone) have any suggestions for alternatives to the Overstayer MC? Preferably something under €1-2k.. VST tips also much appreciated! I've been eyeballing the Alpha Base for over a year. Your demonstration of a kick drum and membrane (and that LFO!) convinced me to get one, amazing how intuitively you can shape the sound. I was thinking of adding drums to my eurorack setup with the Jomox ModBase MKII, but I decided to keep it more synth- and FX-focused as well. Also, bye bye TR-8S 🥲

[@LucasMarchal]

Hey ! In hardware form I only have experience with the elysia boxes but the karakter Xfilter and Xpressor combo is really nice too. Not as characterful and vibey as the MC but very nice still. In VST Decapitator is always a win and once again the elysia plug ins are great (mpressor and museq). The Alphabase is really fun to tweak for sure; it’s a great box.

[@delaneymckimmy-fs4gv]

Ready to kick drum at 130 BPM?