Welcome to the wonderful world of the Jomox XBase-09 analog drum machine. But be forewarned. The XBase-09 is the most sophisticated analog drum machine ever built. While using an overall approach similar to Roland's popular TR808 and TR909 drum machines, the XBase actually goes much further than either of those machines in regards to sound generation, sequencing capabilities and midi functionality. So, are you ready? Good, here we go... "...just wait til you hear this machine in action. Truly a must-hear-to-appreciate instrument." "Awesome analog kick and snare sounds." - Keyboard magazine, 1/98 The kick drum and snare drum sections are fully analog. Not samples, no digital modeling...pure analog...with all of the sound parameters under full midi control. Additionally, the XBase-09 offers greatly improved sound generation parameters in almost every area (longer decay, greater tuning range, etc). And, although the kick and snare sections are true analog sound generators, utilizing extensive midi control allows the machine to offer midi-adjustable controls for all parameters. Once you've created those sounds you like using the front panel controls, your sounds can be digitally saved as "drum kits" in one of the 100 drum kit memories available, and called up at a later time. "I had quite a few staffers from Keyboard, Guitar Player, and Bass Player magazine stop by to give the XBase-09 a listen. The reaction was almost always the same: 'Man, that thing is fat!'" - Keyboard magazine, 1/98 For enhanced sonic manipulation, the bass drum section features eight parameter controls (yes, actual knobs!): Tune (identical function to the original, however the range has been improved) Pitch (alteration of the bottom tuning. Sub basses down to 25Hz or Piccolo flute tones are possible) Decay (identical function to the original, however the range has been improved) Harmonics (alteration of the upper tones of the VCO's) Pulse (alteration of the pure pulse part of the attack...extreme kicks are available) Noise (alteration of the pure noise part of the attack) Attack (identical to the original) EQ (filters the bass drum output and smoothes the bass...good for soft 808 kicks) The snare drum section includes the following controls: Tune (identical function to the original, however the range has been improved) XSnapp (comparable to the 909 snappy although has more effect on the overall snare volume) Decay (identical function to the original, however the range has been improved) Detune (detunes the two oscillators...capable of producing cowbell sounds) Noise Tune (tunes the noise filter of the snare) The hi-hat/percussion section, as on the TR909, uses 8-bit samples routed through an analog VCA. The samples available include open and closed hat, claps, rim, crash and ride cymbals and noise. Any of these samples can also be played in reverse. The HiHat section includes controls for Tune, Balance (between Open and Closed Hats), and Open Hat Decay and Closed Hat Decay. "...let's not forget the expressive pair of LFO's onboard...just the medicine for turning those booming bass drums and open hats into warbly, pulsing effect noises." - Keyboard magazine, 1/98 Yes, that's right. In addition to the already enhanced sound manipulation controls, the unit includes two assignable LFO's. The LFO section can be used to choose: Waveform (Sawtooth Up, Sawtooth Down, Triangle or Rectangle) Destination (Bass drum pitch, Snare Tune, Snare Snappy, Snare Noise Tune, HiHat Tune or LFO 2) Intensity Speed (The LFO is driven through the internal sequencer, so it varies with the tempo dependent on the speed value. Thus it is always syncronous to the sequences.) Sync (The LFO can be run free, can be retriggered on every instrument hit or sync'ed to midi). "...one of the best implementations of MIDI I've seen in a drum machine... a vastly superior MIDI specification that leaves the old 909 standing." - Sound on Sound magazine, 7/97 It's true. The midi capabilities of the XBase-09 is what really sets it apart from its vintage ancestors. When using the XBase-09 as a stand-alone drum machine, sequencing is handled by the 16 red step buttons along the bottom of the machine. However, in this mode all of the sound parameter knobs on the front panel write data and store that data into the Pattern. Additionally, if, for instance, the kick drum were playing on all 16 16th notes in a bar, each kick drum hit can be a completely different sound. By having 16 different kick (and snare and percussion) sounds within one bar, the machine completely eliminates boring repetitious patterns, opening up a whole new world in drum programming. "...this amount of control may seem like overkill...but, believe me, once you start experimenting you realize the amount of scope available...amazing results." "...realms that TR-909 users can only dream of...I unearthed all kinds of new sounds and rhythms." - Sound on Sound magazine, 7/97 And yes, when using the XBase-09 as a sound module triggered by an external sequencer (such as your computer), all of the controls on the front panel send midi data (except the volume controls) which can be captured in your computer and edited further. Try that with your 909 or 808! In this mode, the XBase is velocity sensitive, as well. (Sorry, Roland). "In some respects the XBase-09 is far superior to a 909...you can record any knob changes-such as pitch sweeps, changing attack/decay or EQ settings-and then cut, paste, mix or overlay this controller information in your sequencer for even more complex and extreme effects." - Sound on Sound magazine, 7/97 The XBase-09 offers a host of other cool features: Shuffle Mode: an extensive shuffle mode allows you to adjust any 16th note (or notes) to one of fourteen shuffle values (seven ahead of the beat, seven behind). Adjusting the shuffle of notes within a Pattern can be done before, during or after recording the Pattern. And, in the event that you don't like it the next day, you can always get in and change it. Song Mode: allows you to chain together your favorite Patterns to make a song (Duh!). Kick Drum Tuning: the kick drum can be set to tune in a completely "linear" fashion, or can be set to tune in musical 1/2 steps...just the thing for drum-and-bass style programming. DIN-Sync: Speaks fluent "vintage synth" language -- yes, the XBase-09 even offers a DIN-Sync-Out jack to drive your other old analog devices! Well, we could go on and on...but by now you should be getting the picture. And even though we've told about many of the cool things this machine will do, we wouldn't want you to forget about its most important attribute: its sound. "...audio quality is outstanding...superb sounding..." - Sound on Sound magazine, 7/97 And what review would be complete without a gratuitous jab at the competition... "When it comes to analog kick and snare, the XBase-09 is king." "...when put side to side with the popular Rave-O-Lution, the XBase-09 floored the listeners." - Keyboard Magazine, 1/98 The retail price is $1050.00 until 4/30/98

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