Powerful Modern Drum Machine Classic | Jomox Alpha Base Review

[@phable]

Happy New Year!

[@sat1241]

Thanks for the review. What is you r basic thought about the Alpha Base compared to Moog DFAM?

[@phable]

@@sat1241 gonna check it out soon!

[@RossTotino]

Very good. The drum machine community needed this review.

[@phable]

Thank you Ross!

[@DubFreakuencies]

It’s a wonderful instrument.Already have the Tempest, Rytm and DRM1 MKIV. This one is a beast.The kick is just wonderful, not to mention it looks amazing.I think it has the whole package.I’m very happy that I bought it.

[@phable]

Very nice collection! :)

[@DubFreakuencies]

@@phable Thanks, and the Alpha Base I bought it after checking your videos. Thank you very much.

[@phable]

@@DubFreakuencies Very happy to help you with your decision!

[@cocktailvomit]

Do you prefer the Jomox Alpha Base over the DRM1 MKIV ?

[@phable]

@@cocktailvomit I would say very different animals. Vermona is fully analog :)

[@partirparlesarmoires]

I just got one recently and can't believe how good it sounds... It is extremely addictive ! And it's not just about the huge boomy kick that can be heard in many demos, as I don't use that kind of kick anyway. Your video helped me to take my purchase decision because you are the one who let us hear the kick without any EQ and I immediately knew I could do something starting from there, so thank you very much ! That thing can also do some damn good snares, and the hats are fantastic. The only thing that I have a difficult time wrapping my head around for the moment is the esoteric FM synth.

[@phable]

So glad to help you out!

[@Duskmos]

Sounds great! Thanks for the overview!

[@phable]

Glad you like my work! :)

[@vidjoyogi]

Happy New Year Phable, this is an amazing video tutorial. Thanks so much!

[@phable]

So glad you like it :)

[@DDBLEDC]

That is so cool! Been waiting for something like that. Now start a series on the AB please!

[@phable]

Thank you mate. New videos coming soon :)

[@cougarman8]

Best video about this machine on KZbin! I’d love to see more about the sequencer and maybe fx?

[@phable]

Thanks, what in particular about the sequencer?

[@cougarman8]

@@phable I'm not sure honestly, I'm trying to figure out how to change the track length for the entire pattern so it's just 16 steps. Do I have to do it individually for every single instrument?

[@phable]

Yea, that’s a key strength, because you can do polyrhythms.

[@patricemartin5652]

damn good one!. Thx. The beefiness of this drum machine is sooo goood

[@phable]

True!

[@jorgentraun]

I have a Alpha Base to, and just like you, I believe that the Alpha Base is a versatile and extremely well-sounding instrument. I agree with all in the video above and I'm glad you made such a good review. I do however recommend you dive deeper into the FM synth as it up in level with the rest of the Alpha Bases analog voices, it has a sound of it's own and is a very capable part of the Alpha Base, imo. It's also one of the easiest FM synths to program, all parameters is real time. If used with a midi keyboard the FM Synth is a 6 voice polyphonic synthesizer. The midi keyboard can also be used for cord memory (store-able per preset) for use in the Alpha Base Sequencer.

[@phable]

Wow, that’s some credible insight. Will try it out! Thanks :)

[@VikerTurrit]

Thx for the review!

[@phable]

You’re welcome :)

[@istvantoth7431]

this kick-drum is approved. on par with the Tanzbar kick I think we can agree. huge achievement.

[@phable]

Haha, the Kick is simply killer

[@Axiomstatic]

Brilliant sound, the best sounding drum machine.

[@phable]

Truly a wonderful machine :)

[@Axiomstatic]

@@phable can I ask how long you have owned it for? is it easy to program? I read the manual and it looks easy enough. I own the OG TR 909 and thinking of pairing the two together. It sounds remarkable, best video on youtube showcasing this machine. Nice one.

[@phable]

@@Axiomstatic thank you Antoine! I have mine since 2018 and never looked back. A unique sounding instrument. :)

[@Axiomstatic]

@@phable I ordered mine tonight! Here we go.

[@phable]

@@Axiomstatic congratulations on that great purchase!

[@gwsound]

Thanks for the video. Indeed there is not much about this machine on KZbin. I ordered mine 2 days before your video :-). Next video more in-depth about the sequencer?

[@phable]

Sure, what would you like to know?

[@theuntouchables808]

@@phable Can it do similar stuff to the Parameter lock ?

[@gwsound]

@@theuntouchables808 yes that was my question as well.

[@zeeninetynine]

@@theuntouchables808 I am interested in that too. It could only automate a single parameter per step per channel when it was released but perhaps there was a firmware update that dealt with this?

[@theuntouchables808]

@@zeeninetynine Yea or You might need some sort of sequencer on the side just to deal with CC . it's a shame cause this " drum machine " sounds sooo Good .

[@balenabros3246]

Dope was looking for this been on my mind for awhile

[@phable]

Hope my video helped you out :)

[@balenabros3246]

@@phable ordered!!!!! 🤟

[@phable]

@@balenabros3246 yes!!!!

[@donadoma]

Best sounding drum machine, imo.👍

[@phable]

A one of a kind sound. Will never let go of it.

[@djvartan]

Best drum machine ever. I love mine.

[@phable]

I love mine too ;)

[@NicolasMelis]

thanks for that video !

[@phable]

You’re welcome Nicolas :)

[@mauve7609]

yes!!!!!

[@phable]

You're welcome :D

[@canecreek00]

looks and sounds a great machine, Im a sucker for a good snare, didn't hear snares get mentioned or hear any?

[@phable]

You have the Mbrane analog instrument. Great for Snares and percussion sounds.

[@DayflightTrok]

Yeah I love the AB also very much. The only thng I do not like is the Sample Management. It difficult to understand.

[@phable]

It is. Maybe I should do a video about it.

[@drake1011]

@@phablepls do

[@MadelnMachines]

Shame they didn't have more than 2 analogue instruments for the price. I wonder why he chose not to include the analogue toms from the 999.

[@bororobo7036]

Love 999, now is fairly cheap.

[@cpro909]

thanks for the review! kick sounds awesome, would love to see another (more detailed) video about kick design, although you have already shown here some tricks (with attack and gate for instance) you have mentioned about using external compressions and eq in addition to the kick. do you think that kick created with its internal params sounds too raw?

[@phable]

Thank you! No, in fact I think the Kickdrum sounds way more „useable“ than some of the classics. The 909 was notorious for its „weak“ sound, hence many producers were compressing the hell out of it. For me it’s all about color. And sometimes my Phoenix compressor adds the right amount of silk and punch to my Kick. But that’s just my humble opinion.

[@PeculiarMotion_Official]

Great Review. I had the Rytm and missed out that punch trough in the mix of the Kick. Also the HH part sounds more suitable here, maybe I should try this Monster on.

[@phable]

The Rytm is a different beast. Way more sample mangling options etc. But from the raw sounds, the AB is way more usable for me.

[@nagchumpalot]

Really the RYTM Kick is more than capable just needs the right sample to mix with the analog kick it works.. I know many who have released thumping tracks with it but it does require a little processing.

[@jorgegaliano8447]

Best drum machine!! While the kickdrum is excellent I always struggle to get it into proper 808ish territory...

[@phable]

Do you mean like the sub?

[@jorgegaliano8447]

@@phable It's just the whole tone... I dont know, maybe I'm doing something wrong... The EQ helps a lot and I can get some nice softer kicks, but I would say I find it easier to dial in 909 kicks than 808. I also had success making some 808 style kicks with the mbrane.

[@phable]

@@jorgegaliano8447 Jürgen told me that because of the sophisticated analog architecture of the Alpha, the Kickdrum is not only louder, but also way more punchier than its predecessors. We talked about it numerous times, because I remember the original MBase to be more softer. And that is because the MBase works at lower voltages as the Alpha. So long story short, the AB is a hart hitting allrounder but if you want more softer tones, get the MBase as well ;)

[@jorgegaliano8447]

@@phable Well, that explains a lot! Thanks for the insight. I feel I just need to find a tweakable 808 style sound source to pair with the alpha and I will be set for life in the kickdrum department. I got the mfb 522 bass in euro wich is nice though, but it still feels is lacking something.

[@phable]

@@jorgegaliano8447 there are plenty of good 808 sine kickdrums options available. The AB is unique and gives you a different color.

[@sentimental7167]

Thanks, good review! I had the xBase 09 and the sound really convinced me of Jomox. I also had the Analog Rytm I and didn’t like the analog sounds at all - just my taste, I guess… also I find parameter locks and the general work flow much butter for me. If another drum machine, a Jomox would be my choice.

[@phable]

I think you will be really happy with the Alpha MK2

[@jamalyannicguzmansierra7996]

great video! i have some questions... is it possible to record or add Parameter Locks to diffrent triggers? and is there a diffrence between the alpha base and the ModBase MkII (Modular) in terms of sound character and possibilities? i'm going to add a Jomox Kickdrum for my system, but to be honest, the Kickdrum of the Alpha base has blown my mind bro! it's really heavy and very nice! also the Hats and the Clap...this thing us huge!

[@phable]

Honestly, I got the MBase 11 as a result of this video. It’s simple: get both. Both similar but different. The AB is way more hard hitting while the MBase has a softer sound which is also great!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I have the Jomox bass drum eurorack module and love it and bet this is great but the user interface leaves much to be desired compared to the Elektron Rytm sequencer and interface.

[@phable]

Different beast. Get both :D

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

@@phable and the new Soma Pulsar 23! My buddy has one and that thing is a sonic beast

[@kevindewinter8235]

Nice review! Would you like to revieuw the Korg Drumlogue? Also 11 voices

[@phable]

Yes, would love to! :)

[@kevindewinter8235]

@@phablei have one but live in Amsterdam. If you can get one, very underestimated piece of kit! I love it just like jomox stuff and not the known XoX sound

[@phable]

@@kevindewinter8235 I’ll try my best to get one ;)

[@junosynth]

How's the kick compared to the MBase? Are there more editing options for the kick? Are they exactly the same?

[@phable]

Very different. The MBase sounds much softer compared to the Alpha Base. They complement each other quite nicely!

[@PeculiarMotion_Official]

How about your new HEDD Monitors? I still have the Neumann and I just want to know If you can hear any latency, caused by the Linear Phase Algorithm while Jamming / Recording?

[@phable]

Hey Manuel, Latency occurs as soon as there is a distance between you and the monitor. But I get what you are saying. The latency of the Lineariser ist completely fine with me.

[@RotelLoewe]

Thanks for the review, amazing drum machine ! 😊 I see you have a E-MU 6400 Ultra, could you do a review on this one too ? That would be awesome 😀

[@phable]

Great idea!

[@unitedsouls11]

Good review with some good tipps, thanks! Unfortunately you did not cover "parameter locking". btw: is there a trick to SOLO instruments? cheers

[@phable]

Maybe in the follow up video ;)

[@MultiAli62]

I don't know your workflow, but would you use the Jomox as the master clock to sync with your DAW? I would like to buy this drummachine and use the shuffle to get a certain groove and sync everything else DAW, synths and sampler to it.

[@phable]

Hmmm there are some free JOMOX shuffles out there in the internet. The JOMOX is great for what it is. Use it as a slave in your project.

[@Italo_Brutalo]

Yeah!

[@ecosse33]

Would like to see a lot more

[@phable]

Like what? :)

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Excellent review of the Jomox, how hard is it to MIDI sync with other gear? I've heard of issues with MIDI clock and Jomox with other instruments.

[@phable]

Thanks, no never had an issue. In fact, the JOMOX was way more stable than some other gear.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

good to know! This and the DB01 Bassline, Perkons and LXR02 would be a blast to use together@@phable

[@mamakuproject]

hi can you live record into the sequencer tapping on those instruments buttons or via midi?

[@phable]

Gonna check it out!

[@cymbolic_space1832]

mhmm. thats quite a piece of kit. i have been working toward building a hardware setup for some rominimal type microhouse music. i bought the LXR-02 a few months ago thinking that all the poopooing on digital only sounds was unfounded but once i had it in my hands i couldnt really get it to sit comfortably or feel in any way alive or organic. plus having to move through a few menus to tweak any drum parameter it became apparent i would not be able to perform very well with it. so here i am haha! edit: i would love to see you program a nice clean sub bass patch on the fm before i buy this baby haha

[@phable]

I’ll try some subs with the Mbrane ;)

[@teddyjones3652]

Vermona DRM1 sounds good for what you want , I know that Vlad Caia of SIT uses a DSI Tempest for all of his percussion

[@jimharris6389]

So, was it keeper? Do you still have it one year on? Still not many reviews about. Considering it as a replacement for my Rytm (great features, ultimately uninspiring sound).

[@phable]

Of course I do! It’s simply an astonishing instrument :)

[@jimharris6389]

@@phable good to know! :)

[@_EightySix]

Hey! Nice video, I too love my Alpha Base. I'm curious, and I'll be honest I've only glanced at the manual a few times, but since each instrument is on a separate midi channel, how do you suppose a person would use Alpha Base in a setup with multiple midi devices? In my situation I basically just mute everything else on my mixer when using the AB and the opposite when using my other midi connected instruments. Do you have a suggestion? Maybe there is a way to change it so that the AB instruments use Note number or CC rather than an entire channel? Thanks in advance friend!

[@phable]

Hey, I never tried this but I‘ll come back to you, once I have such a setup.

[@serdarsaydan]

hey, i love the ab soooo much but i got completely nuts because of sample management. a video about recording straight into the inputs/sample management/ menu diving would help a lot. the ab is such an amazing instrument that it made me use it standalone because of its amazing sound and simple to use workflow/ besides sample management 😅. thx

[@phable]

Will give it a try ;)

[@mit136speichenumdiewelt]

Tolles Video, danke dafür. Eine Frage, da ich nicht das in der Bedienungsanleitung gefunden habe. Können die Inputs auch für das durch schleifen eines Synth genutzt werden? Und ist es möglich diesen mit der Kick zu sidechain? Danke für die Antwort.

[@phable]

Hey, leider nein. Der Eingang ist fürs Sampling gedacht :)

[@mit136speichenumdiewelt]

@@phable Danke für die Antwort.

[@phable]

@@mit136speichenumdiewelt immer gerne :)

[@mit136speichenumdiewelt]

@@phable Hast Du hier noch weitere Videos geplant?

[@automationtraveler]

I love mine

[@phable]

Me too :)

[@RossTotino]

Great machine. I have one, but their customer service is terrible. They won't respond to emails. I worry what would happen if my Alpha Base has to be repaired for some reason.

[@phable]

Sorry to heart that! Jomox is mostly a one man show. So please be patient :)

[@peters7402]

Hi! Nice video. Does anyone happend to know how to save Midi settings? For example sending CC to my Electra One. Would be nice not to change settings everytime I start Alpha Base. Tried the manual without finding anything, perhaps I missed something.

[@phable]

With Shift + 1 you also save the global settings.

[@peters7402]

@@phable Thanks! :)

[@PorchBass]

How is rhe sync? Latency?

[@phable]

Very tight.

[@bororobo7036]

JOMOX Xbase 999 the best drum machine purchase in 2022

[@phable]

Congrats!

[@bororobo7036]

@@phable Thank you. Truly enjoy this monster of drums sounds. Got it fairly cheap for 750$ practically mint. I can warmly recommend it to analog synths drums lovers. After month of daily use, no issues or troubles.

[@Callofbeauty]

omg. my mbase wants his papi alpha base besides him now

[@phable]

That will be a beautiful family reunion 😉

[@beach_hike9006]

I'm going to order one but most people just use free software to make beats.

[@phable]

Have fun with it!

[@Kung_Fu_Jesus]

Something is either unique or it isn’t. There are no degrees of uniqueness. Adding the qualifier, “very,” is inappropriate.

[@phable]

Noted ;)

[@Mr_ToR]

you lost me when you compated it to tr8s.

[@phable]

Why?

[@drake1011]

doesn't seem too user friendly

[@phable]

It depends on your mindset. As someone who grew up with hardware, the Alpha Base is not too hard to use.

[@drake1011]

@@phablehopefully with the better screen the next one will be.

[@phable]

@@drake1011 it is for sure. Jürgen did some great little improvements to the interface. But again, the Alpha is already one of my favorites.

[@cedricblanc7087]

You should really feel ashamed of this demo. You’ve asked so much of people’s time. Do you even realize?

[@cedricblanc7087]

Wasted

[@cedricblanc7087]

This demo sucks…

[@xbe1971]

UM...YEAH...UM....ER....ERM...SO...URM