Analog Drum Module - It always seems to be the same problem. You don't want to use 909 samples, because, as everybody knows, only the original machine has the necessary punch and authenticity. And in the end the main issue is the inimitable bass drum, snare and hihat and this fantastic sequencer.

And then there are rumours of people who want to customize their sounds, especially the bass drum, and who want to tweak the analog drums more than others. Could there be more musical expression in the 909's analog sound generation than simply the notorious "kick in the gut'? Jomox went one step beyond and put a whole bunch of cherries on top of the good old 909.

The Xbase 09 is more than just a drum machine

Seven instruments, namely bass drum, snare, hihat, clap, rim, crash and ride with improved extended-range sound forming parameters, crazy bass drum sounds, nasally noisy snares and hihat modulations (including reverse playback) are now possible, sounds that a 909 was never able to produce.

Honest to goodness real analog sound generation paired with digtal (i.e. recallable) digital MIDI control of ALL parameters. In order to reduce the unwanted side effects of digital control (e.g. stepped ranges) to very nearly zero, all digital-to-analog converters are specially adapted to the parameters they control. These have been discretely built into the circuits.

Becaus of this, sound-control parameters respond with practically no lag to instrument trigger signals. Although it meant that Jomox had to develop extra hardware for this feature, and it has been well worth the effort. Conrrol ranges have been greatly extended for most parameters. The open/closed hihat samples are in the vintage 6 bit (!) format and processed by analog circuitry.



Bass drum parameters

• Tune The tuning changes produced by the envelope intensity on the BD VCO can be set to extreme values.

• Pitch (setting of the overall tuning) Subbass down to 20 Hz or tones in the midrange are possible

• Decay Exzended up to 2.5 seconds, enabling "walking bass" effects

• Harmonics Controls the VCO's harmonics. Turn the Xbase 09 into a timpani module

• Pulse Controls the intensity of the pulse attack component. Enables extreme kick sounds

• Noise Controls the noise component in the attack

• Attack The mix of Çnoise' and Çpulse' in the attack

• Accent Increases the bass drums punch in steps programmed with an accent

• EQ Filters the output and smoothes the bass drum. Good for 808-type kick sounds

• Harmonics Controls the VCO's harmonics. Turn the Xbase 09 into a timpani module
  
  

  Snare drum parameters

• Tune Tunes the two snare drum oscillators with extended range of control

• Xsnapp Up to a certain value the same as the 909, and beyond that a lot noisier

• Decay Decay of the actual snare. Extended control range

• Detune Detunes the two oscillators in respect to each other

• Noise Tune Tunes the noise filter
  
  

  Hihat parameters

• OH Decay Decay envelope of the VCA for the raw samples

• CH Decay Likewise

• OH/CH Balance Controls the realtive volume between open and closed hihat

• Tune Ranges from pot lid to teddy bear bell
  
  You can choose from 4 samples: 909 Open/Close Hi Hat, 909 Rim/Clap, 909 Crash, 909 Ride The crash and ride samples can be played back through the closed hihat envelope. The abovementioned samples can be replaced by the noise generator which is then played back through the VCA. All samples can be played back backwards.
  
  All parameters have a control knob on the front panel and can be recorded and remote contolled via MIDI. You can for example play the bass drum in different modes over the entire MIDI keyboard range. The scope of a regular bass drum is thereby increased many times because it turns into a completely new instrument that can also play walking bass sequences. Hard and extremely punchy kicks are no problem, but dark - sounding cool kicks or bass sounds are also possible
  
  The Xbase 09 features two assignable LFOs that can modulate tunings and other instrument partameters while a pattern is playing. This opens the instrument to new forms of expression that can hardly be descibed in words.
  
  Direct access to all relevant musical components, essential during live performance, is made possible by the easy to use onboard sequencer. All sound-forming parameters are programmable by a dedicated knob for every step.
  
  The instrument can slave-sync to MIDI clock when the internal patterns are being used. Timing resolution is the 96 ticks to a bar. This is also the case in "A/B Pattern mode".
  
  When running on its own, the Xbase 09's timing resolution is a fine 192 ticks to a bar.
  
  One of the sequencer's most important features is "Micro-Groove/Shuffle". This makes it possible to shift each step by a maximum of +/- six 96ths of a bar, opening new vistas in groove design.
  
  100 preset drum kits can be stored to internal memory. Up to 64 patterns can be stored to internal memory. These patterns can be called up using 16 buttons arranged in 4 banks.
  
  You can save 10 songs that use thes 64 patterns. For each song step a pattern can be repeated a maximum of 256 times. Each song allows for a maximum of 100 steps, each of which can have its own tempo.
  
  Pattern programming is done by using the 16 backlit buttons that are arranged in a row. Each step's button lights up when the pattern reaches that step during playback. Selecting an instrument with an instrument-select button makes the step buttons display that instrument's programming so it can be checked and edited immediately, even while the sequencer is running.
  
  In "Indivual Step Edit mode" sound programming of all of each step's sound parameters can be edited and recorded for each instrument.
  
  This is one of the Xbase 09's strongest features because it lets you program very distinguished and individual lines without the slightest MIDI delay, thanks to a very, very tight onboard sequencer.
  
  If precise timing is important to you, Jomox recommend using the internal sequencer as the sync master because the Xbase 09's internal sound parameter handling is very much quicker than MIDI.
  
  For direct MIDI access there are various mapping schemes that determine how the instrument can be played from a MIDI keyboard. That means: The Xbase can receive on four MIDI channels or in various split modes. The internal sequencer can also trigger external instruments via MIDI.
  
  In "Perform" mode, knob movements are transmitted and received via MIDI. MIDI controllers for the Xbase 09's parameters start upwards from MIDI controller # 100 and are hard wired (controller assignment cannot be changed). In this mode, instrument buttons function as real triggers to control instruments directly.
  
  When "real time mode" is active, MIDI notes received from outside can be recorded by the internal sequencer. In this mode a metronome is also available.
  
  The Xbase 09 features a DIN-Sync Out socket. With this you can synchronize a TB or TR machine in a live situation. The timing of the clock triggers is very precise enabling ultra tight synchronisation with the outside world.
  
  Each instrument has its own individual audio output. Sticking a plug into an instrument's individual output removes its signal from the MIX output.

• Technical Specifications
  Instruments BaseDrum, SnareDrum, HiHat (6 Samples & Noise selectable)
  Sound Generation complete analogues with digital control of all parameters
  Adjusters 23 pots
  Sound Parameters 17, 3 accents, 3 levels
  Performs 100 perform memorys(kits)
  Patterns 64 pattern memorys
  Songs 10 song memorys
  Keys 16 illuminated buttons step-sequencer, 5 Instrument buttons, 10 illuminated control buttons
  Display 3 digits 7 segment red LED-Display
  Output Level about + 4dBu at full master volume
  Outputs 1 mono mix out, 3 individual output jacks, DIN Sync Out
  Midi Midi In, Midi Thru, Midi Out
  Syncronisation Transmit: Midi Clock, DIN Trigegr Clock 24 Ticks/Quarter Receive: Internal, Midi Clock
  Supply external 12V AC/AC Supply available for each international voltage
  Finish iron steel case
  Dimensions 330mm x 235mm x 90mm
  Weight 4,0 kg