Jomox Alpha Base Drum Machine

Superbooth 17: The Jomox Alpha Base is a new drum machine design by Jürgen Michaelis that features eleven drum voices, sequencer, Midi/USB/SD-Card and individual outputs.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

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.

Here’s a video demo of the Alpha Base prototype in action:

Features:

  • 11 Instruments: Kick Drum, MBrane, Cl HiHat, Op HiHat, Clap, Rim Shot, Crash, Ride, X Sample 1, X Sample 2, FM Synth.
    • Analog Jomox kick drum.
    • Analog Jomox MBrane voice with 2 coupleable F-OSC for complex analog snare, percussion, bass and tom sounds ranging from 16Hz to 20kHz.
    • 2 sample-based instruments with analog VCA ADSR envelope and/or HH filter, optionally with metallic noise mixed as extra sound source. The HH filter is 2-pole, HP/LP/Res each separated parameters, peakable but not oscillating.
    • 4 sample-based instruments with analog VCA ADSR envelope and/or resonating multimode filter (LP, HP, BP) with ADSR envelope, optionally with metallic noise mixed as extra sound source. The multimode filter can be used as a signal generator in order to generate analog toms or sticks etc.
    • 2 sample-based instruments with external sampling input and pure digital playback.
    • 1 FM synth with 4 operators and max. 6 voices for percussive sounds.
  • Effects delay, reverb with send per instrument, also insertable into analog signal path on CH, OH, Clp, Rim, Ride.
  • LFOs: per instrument one LFO (MBrane 2 LFOs) with 64 wave forms, each assignable on pitch, VCA, filter cutoff.
  • 250 samples 16 Bit/48kHz in internal flash memory.
  • SD card slot for loading of samples.
  • USB (Midi Device).
  • Midi In, Midi Out, Midi Thru.
  • DIN sync out 2x integrated in the jacks Midi Out or Midi Thru.
  • Inputs: stereo in for sampling, FX or sidechain. Both inputs are Hi-Z and suitable for guitar/bass or work up to line level +20dBu.
  • Outputs: 8 individual balanced outputs, stereo mix balanced, headphones.
  • Output Level: max. ca.+14dBu unbalanced, +20dBu balanced on all outputs.
  • 18 encoders
  • Input Volume, Phones Volume and Mix Volume are analog potentiometers.
  • LCD display 2×24 characters.

The Jomox Alpha Base is priced at 1699.00 €*. See the Jomox site for details.

14 thoughts on “Jomox Alpha Base Drum Machine”

  2. The sounds are great and lots of the features too….. but i miss a motion sequenser like the elektrons have ?

  4. Looks pretty awesome…..but, having owned the Elektron RYTM for 2 years, I don’t see anything here that’s making me pry open my wallet.
    I really wish both Elektron (RYTM) and Jomox would realize that 1 LFO per voice is simply not enough for modern synthesis. Yes, you can accomplish a lot with just one, but they are relatively small implementations data wise so offering at least two shouldn’t be off the table. I often tie mine up immediately to control the filter, or volume then greatly miss another when it comes to messing with decay (hats) or various effect parameters or even pitch.
    Put two lfos per voice and I may drop the coin, but without, the RYTM already covers the same bases.

    1. Never had a Elektron product but I wish for a day they release a product that combine Machinedrum/Monomachine/Octatrack. It would be a killer.

    2. Can’t you route lfos to other sounds on the rythm? the Machinedrum allows it.
      Then with motion recording for every parameters it might not be the biggest problem for most of the peoples.

      Also the mbrane sound has two lfos.

      1. No, you cannot route lfos on the rytm like machinedrum unfortunately.
        And yes, motion recording aka p-locks are flipping amazing and extremely useful, but having a second lfo would be better for specefic applications in my opinion as it gets pretty complex and hard to get around a sequence with lots of plocks, especially when recording plocks live (lots of info recorded to sift thru). But fair point none the less.
        I saw that mbrane has two but after using rytm for awhile, I can see the use for two on every sound, especially hi hats for me (I always use the one lfo for decay to get some variance on the closed hat but wish I had one more for light filter work or delay send or noise decay. In fact, if they let the one lfo have more than one destination, that would alleviate most of my wants:).

        1. Hi, sounds interesting. I really struggle to get decent hihats out of the rytm. Love the ride engine though. Do you have any tips on how to get the hats sound good. The sound thin and unspectacular to me but apart from eqing and envelopes i havent done much.

  6. Too expensive for the sounds/specs i currently hear/see but maybe in the future some demo can convince me. Not really impressed now

  8. 10 minute video of “Boooiinnnggg” kick drum distorted to hell.

    From my experience with Jomox drum machines thats the only kick sound it can make with any confidence. Nice to see nothings changed…

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