Jomox ALPHA BASE Operating Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Jomox Manuals
  4. Synthesizer
  5. ALPHA BASE
  6. Operating manual

Jomox ALPHA BASE Operating Manual

Analog drum synthesizer
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Version OS 1.0
ALPHA BASE
ANALOG DRUM SYNTHESIZER
Operating Manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the ALPHA BASE and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Jomox ALPHA BASE

Summary of Contents for Jomox ALPHA BASE

  • Page 1 Version OS 1.0 ALPHA BASE ANALOG DRUM SYNTHESIZER Operating Manual...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    2.2.6 Edit Instrument:...................19 2.2.7 Store Kit Preset:...................19 2.2.8 Store Pattern:....................19 2.2.9 Edit Tempo:....................19 2.2.10 Edit Patterns:.....................20 2.2.11 Set/Clear Accents:..................20 2.2.12 Select Bar (Measure):................20 2.2.13 Pitch Sequence:..................20 2.2.14 Editing Sample based instruments ............20 3 THE USER INTERFACE..................21 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    4 KIT/SEQ........................26 4.1 S :....................26 ELECT A DRUM KIT 4.1.1 Kit Select Mode....................26 4.1.2 Parameter Mode...................26 4.2 N ....................27 AMING OF A 5 EDITING........................28 5.1 S ..................28 ELECT AN NSTRUMENT 5.2 P ...................28 LAY AN NSTRUMENT ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 4 6.2.2.1 Cupl1 = Coupling 1->2 < 000-127 >..............38 6.2.2.2 Cupl2 = Coupling 2->1 < 000-127 >..............38 6.2.2.3 Noise < 000-127 >..................38 6.2.2.4 Decay < 000-127 >..................39 6.2.3 MB Page 2 B....................39 6.2.3.1 P1Atk = Pitch1 Attack < 000-127 >..............39 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 5 7.2.1.1 VCAtt = VCA Attack < 000-127 >..............47 7.2.1.2 VCDec = VCA Decay < 000-127 >..............47 7.2.1.3 VCSus = VCA Sustain < 000-127 >..............47 7.2.1.4 VCRel = VCA Release < 000-127 >..............47 7.2.2 SMP Page 2 B....................48 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 6 7.3.1.1 Sample select X < RAM1, RAM2, 2-300 >............55 7.3.2 Recording a Sample ...................56 7.3.3 Manually Recording a Sample ..............57 7.4 FM S ......................58 YNTH 7.4.1 FM Synth modulation matrix...............58 7.4.1.1 FM Modulation Matrix Page A................59 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 7 7.5.7.2 MBrane Delay Send...................68 7.5.7.3 Closed HiHat Delay Send..................68 7.5.7.4 Open HiHat Delay Send..................68 7.5.8 Delay Send CLAP, RIM, CRASH, RIDE Page 3 B........69 7.5.8.1 Clap Delay Send....................69 7.5.8.2 Rim Delay Send....................69 7.5.8.3 Crash Delay Send....................69 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 8 10.3.1 TxTrg = Transmit MIDI Note Triggers <on/off>........83 10.3.2 TxCC = Transmit MIDI Continuous Controllers <on/off>.......83 10.3.3 USBMidi = USB events to MIDI <on/off>..........84 10.3.4 MidiUSB = Midi events to USB <on/off>..........84 10.4 M ..............84 YSEX UNCTIONS 10.4.1 DumpKit.....................84 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 9 11.3.2.3 Editing p-locks....................98 11.3.2.4 Setting or Clearing p-locks ............................99 12 2ND FUNCTIONS....................100 12.1 S (1)....................100 TORE 12.2 C (2)..................101 LEAR ATTERN 12.3 S (3)...................101 TORE ATTERN 12.4 I (4)......................102 12.5 L (5)....................102 12.6 S (6)......................102 HUFFLE ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 10 12.11 A/B/C/D C (11)..................108 12.12 R (12).....................108 12.13 FX (13) ......................109 12.14 S (16)................109 HUT DOWN LPHA 13 APPENDIX......................110 13.1 MIDI I ..................110 MPLEMENTATION 13.1.1 Midi Note Commands................110 13.1.2 Sound Parameter (Continuous Controllers)..........111 13.1.3 3. Sysex Commands..................116 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 11: A Brief Introduction To The Alpha Base

    The ALPHA BASE is a drum machine with 11 instruments. Although it may appear similar to our classics XBASE 09, 999 and 888, the ALPHA BASE has an entirely new design under the hood. We have put in all the concentrated know-how of Jomox drum machines and our synths from the past 20 years, simplifying some things, but also adding new components or combining them anew.

  • Page 12: Hi Hat

    Moreover, there are two sample instruments that work purely digitally. It's even possible for Alpha Base to sample external audio on these channels for up to 5 seconds, which is more than enough for drum samples. The recorded sample can be stored on SD card or be copied to the internal flash memory and then be played back by the other sample channels.

  • Page 13: Effects

    1.1.10 Manual convention In order to make this manual easier to understand, all user interface descriptions of the ALPHA BASE in the text following, are set into round brackets () and printed bold. e.g. Press the (KIT/SEQ) button.

  • Page 14: Power Supply

    Please connect the provided wall wart adapter to the line and hook it up to the supply jack 12V= DC IN on the ALPHA BASE. If, for any reason, you are not able to use the original power supply, please use a DC adapter with 12 Volts and at least 2 amps.

  • Page 15: Midi Connections

    Please look at the Midi Implementation in the appendix about which Midi data is received and processed by the ALPHA BASE. Connect the MIDI In jack of the ALPHA BASE to the MIDI Out jack of the master by use of a midi cable.

  • Page 16: Sd Card Slot

    Version OS 1.0 2.1.8 SD Card Slot The Alpha Base has an SD card port to upload or store samples. Please use the provided SD Card. The card must have a FAT32 file system, not exFAT32 as this is Microsoft licensed and not supported. Mostly smaller and slower cards up to 32-64GB make use of the FAT32 system.

  • Page 17: First Steps

    Version OS 1.0 2.2 Quick Start Connect the ALPHA BASE to an appropriate amplifier or to a mixer. Before you turn on, please turn the master level of your mixer or amplifier down. On initial boot up sequence, you are welcomed by the following display:...

  • Page 18: Select Presets

    (KIT/SEQ) button several times. If you press (SEQ) again (SEQ=off), the melodies turn off and the Alpha Base just plays the internal pitch of every instrument.

  • Page 19: Select Instruments (=Tracks)

    Press and click (Knob 15) to quick-store a pattern to RAM. The same considerations as with Preset Store apply here (see above), just use Store Pattern (shift 3) to transfer to flash memory. 2.2.9 Edit Tempo: Press (BPM/MIDI) and change the tempo with the (Data) wheel. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 20: Edit Patterns

    (knob 8 page B) or self-oscillating filter tones. If Metal Noize = 0, noise is off. Metal Noize = 1 is always white noise. If both Metal Noize and Sample Select are > 0, they are mixed together. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 21: The User Interface

    With this knob the input gain of the external input can be adjusted. 3.2.2 Phones This knob controls the phones volume of the front headphone jack. 3.2.3 Mix Volume This knob controls the volume of the stereo mix output. The individual outputs are not affected by this potentiometer. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 22: Menu Control

    3.3.4 DISK This button opens the disk menu and reads the directory of an inserted SD card. 3.3.5 BPM/MIDI This button opens the BPM/Midi menu. The first selected item is always BPM control. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 23: Page A/B

    If the sequencer is running, the currently played bar will blink in quarters of the down beat. The currently selected bar blinks more intensely to show which bar is selected for editing. With this function you can always see which bar is currently playing. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 24: S Equencer /E Dit C Ontrols

    These buttons do the same as the (DATA) encoder for a selected menu. This is especially useful if you only want to change single steps of a value. In kit select mode, you can go up/down through the different kits and load them by pressing (Enter). ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 25: S Tep S Equencer C Ontrols

    Rhythm patterns are programmed and selected using the 16 step buttons. Furthermore, in conjunction with the (Shift/Cancel) button, they provide the 2 functions indicated on the red strip running under the numbers. 3.5.7 Instrument Keys These keys are used for the triggering and selection of instruments. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 26: Kit/Seq

    If you are in Kit select mode and turn one of the 16 endless encoders, the menu automatically switches to parameter mode. If you now want to select a kit, you have to press (KIT/SEQ) again to re-enter Kit select mode. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 27 Don't forget to store the preset by pressing encoder 16 (quick store), or everything will disappear when you select another kit. Leave the name edit mode by pressing the left cursor until “Edit..” disappears and you will return to preset selection level. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 28: Editing

    4 selected LEDs turns red, indicating page B. When in parameter mode (KIT/SEQ = not kit select), the right/left buttons switch between the rows of parameters and show the actual parameters. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 29 Control of harmonics of the VCO. The almost sinusoid waveform of the kick drum oscillator can be continuously shaped into a parabolic waveform. That results in a harder, timpani-like sound that differs clearly from a simple distortion. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 30 EQ. On the Alpha Base, the sound of the noise signal is significantly affected by parameter MetNze because the noise can be assembled by metallic high pitch tones.
  • Page 31 Controls the decay of the extra software pitch envelope. This results in very slow and smoothly decaying kick drums. It is useful for 808-ish sounding drums. The software envelope amount is controlled by 4.1.3 EVAmt. The rest of the parameters on this page are identical to page A. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 32 EVAmt = Envelope Amount < 000-127 > On the Alpha Base, the kick drum VCO has gotten a second software generated pitch envelope in order to generate 808-ish softer kick drums. This parameter controls the amount of this pitch envelope. The shape of the envelope can be edited on page B.
  • Page 33 Selects the LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) Waveform. The LFO is used to modulate the pitch of the kick drum VCO. By default, the Alpha Base contains a set of 64 LFO Waveforms. The first 16 waveforms are: saw +/-, triangle +/-, sine +/-, rectified sine +/-, first halfwave sine +/-, second halfwave sine +/-, faded sine +/-, rectangle +/-.
  • Page 34 The volume defines the absolute maximum level that is played if accent is set to <127>, whereas lower accents adjust the dynamics in the range between the two values (no ACC = volume/2) and (ACC = volume/2 + accent). ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 35 The sound production in the MBrane is made up of 2 filter oscillators (M1 and M2) that have the same frequency range of 25Hz - 14kHz. A filter oscillator (F-OSC) is actually something like a multimode band pass filter which works close to the resonant frequency. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 36 (changed by Dampen), and they only sometimes need their own (and then longer) loudness envelope. Two independent LFOs can modulate each of both F-OSCs or not. They always restart with the note trigger and work like an additional pitch envelope. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 37 Damp2 = M2 Dampen < 000-127 > By the parameter M2 Dampen you change the decay of sound, means the Dampen of F- OSC M2. Other than that, the same qualities apply as described in 4.2. M1 Dampen. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 38 In addition, the level and sound of the noise are affected by the noise filter settings (see 5.3 Noiz Fil). The noise may be either random white noise (MetNze 1 = <noi>) or metallic noise made up by thousands of combinations of MetNze 1 and/or MetNze 2. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 39 For a simple pitch envelope that changes the pitch over time. This parameter controls the attack of this software-driven pitch envelope for F-OSC 2. 6.2.3.4 P2Dc = Pitch2 Decay < 000-127 > This parameter controls the decay of this software-driven pitch envelope for F-OSC 2. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 40 1 isn't turned off. With low values for bit mask some numbers of metallic noise may produce silence by phase cancellation or may sound the same with every consecutive number so that only the lower numbers are relevant. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 41 6.2.5.3 E2Amt = Envelope 2 Amount < 000-127 > For a simple pitch envelope that changes the pitch over time. This parameter controls the amount of this software-driven pitch envelope for F-OSC 2. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 42 Selects the LFO 1 (Low Frequency Oscillator) Waveform. The LFO 1 is used to modulate the tuning of F-OSC 1. See Kick Drum LFO Wave description for more information on the waveforms. These descriptions apply to all LFOs in the Alpha Base. 6.2.6.2 L1Rat = LFO 1 Rate <...
  • Page 43 Selects the LFO 2 (Low Frequency Oscillator) Waveform. The LFO 2 is used to modulate the pitch of F-OSC 2. See Kick Drum LFO Wave description for more information on the waveforms. These descriptions apply to all LFOs in the Alpha Base. 6.2.7.2 L2Rat = LFO 2 Rate <...

  • Page 44: Sample Based Instruments

    Defines the stop point of the sample. The normal flash memory sample has a length of 64k samples or about 1.35 sec at nominal pitch <055>. The stop point value finds the closest zero crossing in a window of +/- 256 samples. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 45 7.1.2.4 Revr = Reverse play < 000/128 > In reverse mode, the sample playback starts with the stop point and plays in reverse to the start point. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 46 VCA. One of 6 sample based analog voices Digital Sample Pitch Volume Analog Filter (HH Filter or Multimode) Final VCA Routing Metal Noise Output Cutoff VCA Envelope Filter Envelope ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 47 Controls the release of the VCA envelope. This is the value of how fast the envelope falls from the sustain level to zero after the key has been released. Key Hold Envelope Attack Decay Decay Sustain Release ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 48 Controls the release of the filter envelope. This is the value of how fast the envelope falls from the sustain level to zero after the key has been released. Key Hold Envelope Attack Decay Decay Sustain Release ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 49 Only sample playback through the analog final VCA. Routing = <001>: With Hi Hat filter, optional metal noise. The sample is mixed to metal noise (if activated), led through the filter and played back through the analog final VCA. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 50 They give you interesting results for any adjustment, so play the game of trial and error! Metallic Noise yields a rather aperiodic signal which results in noise-like sounds but with tone-like structures within. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 51 7.2.5.3 EvAmt = Envelope Amount < 000-127 > This parameter controls the envelope amount. The envelope creates a cutoff modulation over time. The amount determines how strongly the envelope bends the filter cutoff. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 52 Each value represents a unique sound pattern which doesn't smoothly change across the range but jumps to various sounds one by one. Metallic Noise yields a rather aperiodic signal which results in noise-like sounds but with tone-like structures within. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 53 Selects the LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) Waveform. Each sample channel has its own LFO which is used to modulate different parameters. See Kick Drum LFO Wave description for more information on the waveforms. These descriptions apply to all LFOs in the Alpha Base. 7.2.7.2 LFRat = LFO Rate < 000-127 >...
  • Page 54 The volume defines the absolute maximum level that is played if accent is set to <127>, whereas lower accents adjust the dynamics in the range between the two values (no ACC = volume/2) and (ACC = volume/2 + accent). ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 55 This also implies that, for instance, X1 may be set to RAM1 and plays the RAM buffer at full length, while X2 is set to RAM2 and starts at the second half of the RAM buffer. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 56: Recording A Sample

    (i.e. step 5). If your audio source is synchronized with the Alpha Base, you might also set step 1. (Of course you can set as many steps as you want but if you activate recording it will record the sample on any step that is played next).
  • Page 57 As soon as you press the instrument key, the instrument channel starts • recording and the instrument LED goes dark. After the recording has been finished, you can play it back by triggering again. • Storing a successfully recorded RAM sample buffer is described in section DISK. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 58 OP1 modulates OP2, OP3 or OP4 according to the amounts set by the blue FM knobs in the first row. OP2 can modulate OP3 or OP4 in the second row and so forth. The lower part of the matrix is the feedback modulation, indicated by the arrows going ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 59 F FM3 -1 FM3 - 2 S 3 Frq F 3- 4 M OOO OO O O 6 8 O O7 F FM4 -1 FM4 - 2 F M4-3 S 4F r M OOO OO O O O O O 95 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 60 Voice Output number of voices. This chord is shifted in whole by the sequence play function SEQ. See 2 functions 12.9 stereo panning section for some hidden FM synth settings. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 61 7.4.3.4 S1FM = Sine Operator EG1 FM Amount <0-127> This parameter controls the FM amount of the A/R envelope generator 1 to sine operator 1. The envelope modulates the frequency of the sine operator. This is useful for decaying tomtom-like sounds. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 62 – Knob 14 click mutes or unmutes all FX. FX Sends Input Switch L Input Reverb L Mix Out R Input R Mix Out Kill FX Click 14 Mix Output Delay ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 63 Because on the Alpha Base the reverb is more thought to be a creative effect rather than a completely natural room simulation, room size can go up to rather extreme values, so be careful above <100>, it can go to an almost endless reverb and even...
  • Page 64 A/D converter input to the external inputs. 7.5.3.3 Closed HiHat Reverb Send Controls the reverb send of the closed HiHat channel. 7.5.3.4 Open HiHat Reverb Send Controls the reverb send of the open HiHat channel. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 65 7.5.4.2 Rim Reverb Send Controls the reverb send of the Rim channel. 7.5.4.3 Crash Reverb Send Controls the reverb send of the Crash channel. 7.5.4.4 Ride Reverb Send Controls the reverb send of the Ride channel. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 66 Controls the reverb send of the X Sample 2 channel. 7.5.5.3 FM Synth Reverb Send Controls the reverb send of the FM Synth channel. 7.5.5.4 Reverb on/off Switches the whole reverb processor on or off. This works only for the reverb, not the delay section. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 67 Spatial = <000> just puts the delay to the centre of the stereo image, while Spatial = <127> spreads the stereo image at maximum. 7.5.6.4 Delay Level Controls the general delay output level on the mix output. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 68 A/D converter input to the external inputs. 7.5.7.3 Closed HiHat Delay Send Controls the delay send of the closed HiHat channel. 7.5.7.4 Open HiHat Delay Send Controls the delay send of the open HiHat channel. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 69 7.5.8.2 Rim Delay Send Controls the delay send of the Rim channel. 7.5.8.3 Crash Delay Send Controls the delay send of the Crash channel. 7.5.8.4 Ride Delay Send Controls the delay send of the Ride channel. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 70 Controls the reverb send of the X Sample 2 channel. 7.5.9.3 FM Synth Delay Send Controls the reverb send of the FM Synth channel. 7.5.9.4 Delay on/off Switches the whole delay processor on or off. This works only for the delay, not the reverb section. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 71 Version OS 1.0 8 Single/Multi Mode The Alpha Base has two memory models: Single Mode and Multi Mode. The following picture shows in a simplified graphic example that the Single Kits have a linear memory order and the Multi Sets a vectorized order:...
  • Page 72 (Up/Down) buttons, and the loading with (Enter). Every Kit preset location contains a list of parameters for every 11 instruments + FX that are loaded upon entering. If you press and click (Knob 12), the Alpha Base switches to multi mode and the display shows:...
  • Page 73 Single Kit too. But only those instrument(s) the Multi Kit points to, not the other instruments in that Single Kit. Nevertheless, please note that you will change the sound in the pointed to Single Kit too if you edit sounds in Multi Mode. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 74 The file format is: *.WAV 48kHz 16bit mono or *.RAW 48kHz 16bit mono. The Alpha Base only stores in RAW format and only in the root directory. But with any modern wave editor you can load these samples and edit them.
  • Page 75 Now press and click (Data) or (Enter), and the folder opens: • C:/Drums_1_____TargetOO1 8O8CrashL1.wav__Load=Ent Automatically the cursor jumps to the files in that folder and you can scroll and • pre-listen to the files in that folder. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 76 Then switch to a sample instrument (or better do it before you press DISK), • select the same sample select as the target sample and it should play if the envelopes are open (and the filter too if selected with rout > 0). ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 77 Not found _3__Load=Ent Note that the Alpha Base holds the index number for the next page - Save Presets to File. So if you want to create a new preset file, scroll here for an available index number, shown as Not Found_X__ But If you want to load a specific preset file, select it and then go right with the cursor.
  • Page 78 If you press and click (Data) or (Enter), you save the whole RAM preset buffer as a file to the SD card. Note that the Alpha Base in this OS version can write files only to the root directory. The Alpha Base takes the same index number that was selected in the former page –...
  • Page 79 If you press and click (Data) or (Enter), you save the whole RAM pattern buffer as a file to the SD card. Note that the Alpha Base in this OS verison can write files only to the root directory. The Alpha Base takes the same index number that was selected in the former page –...
  • Page 80 Programming finished Turn unit off and on Now please turn the Alpha Base off and on again and see the new version number in the display on next booting. 9.9 Restore all Flash Samples and Memory Go right with the cursor and you enter this page: Load all flash samples &...
  • Page 81 Also there are the files ABPR0000.BIN and ABSQ0000.BIN, which contain the factory presets and patterns. If you enter this function, the Alpha Base starts to read and copy all found indexed raw files to the corresponding flash sample slots and finally copies the preset and sequence files to permanent flash memory.

  • Page 82: Midi Settings

    (Data) Wheel or the (Up/Down) buttons. On the Alpha Base, all Midi channels are firmly assigned to the instruments or global channels. See 13. Appendix for more information. USBhost fail BPM 12O.O...
  • Page 83 ClkSync off TxClk on If clock transmission is activated, the Alpha Base sends out Midi Clock to the Midi Out and the USB midi device (if connected). This is useful if you want to synchronize other hardware synthesizers/sequencers and keep the Alpha Base as a master.
  • Page 84 Version OS 1.0 10.3.3 USBMidi = USB events to MIDI <on/off> If this parameter is set to <on>, the Alpha Base forwards the received USB Midi events to the physical Midi port. The Alpha Base acts as a USB/Midi interface. (not yet...
  • Page 85 “finish” when the dumping has been done. 10.5.2 DumpAllSampl Sends the contents of the first 8 samples via Midi sysex dump. This takes about 10 minutes. The display shows “busy” while sending and “finish” when the dumping has been done. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 86: The Sequencer

    Version OS 1.0 The Sequencer The Alpha Base has a step sequencer that is able to program rhythm patterns in the style of vintage Roland TR-X0X drum machines. The sequencer has two basic modes: The first mode is the classic drum triggering via 16 steps per measure with possible accent per step or not.
  • Page 87 (Last Step) as this defines the resulting measure. If you have initialized the pattern before (see Clear Pattern), you have always Scale = A and Last Step = 32 for all tracks which equals a 4/4 measure and an A/B bar scheme. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 88 (Step) button again whilst holding the (Instrument) key and the orange LED turns red again. With accents you are able to program very dynamic patterns. Each instrument has an own accent level that allows you to have different dynamics for different instruments. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 89 LEDs indicate where the quarter downbeats of the selected Scale are. Please note that Scale C and D still form a 4/4 measure, only the beats between the downbeats are triplets and the downbeats are at different locations. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 90 ¾ or the double of it (= 24) for two bars. A classic 5/4 measure would require Last Step = 20. Assuming Scale = A. Each track in the Alpha Base can have a different track length. That means you can produce polyrhythmic shifts between different tracks.
  • Page 91 After your choice has been made, press (Enter) to copy the bar A to your destination. If you want to copy from another bar, say B, choose the bar before you press shift 11 and then you can choose the other bars except the source bar. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 92 After your edit has been done, press (Enter) to leave the shift mode menu. 11.2.8 Roll/Flam The sequencer of the Alpha Base is able to play several very short hits after one note until the next note called flam. Drummers call it “flam” when one or two short hits come after the actual note and “roll”...
  • Page 93 There are 2 storage memories in the Alpha Base: RAM (random access memory) and flash memory. The flash memory is permanent while the RAM only stores while the unit is powered on. On powering up, the Alpha Base copies the content of the permanent memory to the RAM.
  • Page 94 Store to: OOO The step and bank LEDs follow the destination pattern number. If you press (Enter), the pattern gets stored to permanent flash memory. The display monitors the progress of flash programming. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 95 If you want to edit the sounds or select kits, press the (KIT/SEQ) button to flip between sound editing, kit select mode or back to sequence mode programming. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 96: Parameter Locks

    The held step LED starts to blink and the p-lock information (in our example decay) is now written to this step. Press another location (e.g. step 13) and do the same there but change the decay to another value. If a step is erased during p-lock programming, set it again. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 97 The instrument selection playback works even in Single Mode, though p-lock programming is only possible in Multi Mode. Please note that after clearing (SEQ) you would have to recall the preset again to have the original instrument because the instrument recall is not updated automatically. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 98 Now turn the (Data) wheel and edit the value of the selected p-lock. The value in the second line gets updated Note that only values, not CC numbers can be edited . In order to change a CC, you have to create another p-lock that overrides the previous one. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 99 Then press and click (Knob 13), and the p-lock will be cleared: Loc k Sq xxxx xxxxxxxxxxxKi c k Dr m Or be set again: Loc k 1 O 2 xxxx xxxxxxx xxxKi c k O1 8 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 100 (Data) wheel or press the (Up/Down) buttons, the display shows the destination: Store to: If you press (Enter), the kit gets stored to permanent flash memory. The display monitors the progress of flash programming. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

  • Page 101: Clear Pattern

    As soon as you turn the (Data) wheel or press the up/down buttons, the display shows the destination: Store to: OOO The step and bank LEDs follow the destination pattern number. If you press (Enter), the pattern gets stored to permanent flash memory. The display monitors the progress of flash programming. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 102 Don't forget to store the edits or they will disappear when you change the pattern. 12.6 Shuffle (6) The Alpha Base can shuffle or swing the beats between two neighboured steps away from the exact metronomic midpoint to make them more alive. The swing factor is applied on every second 16 step.
  • Page 103 To stop realtime recording enter this page again and set Realtime Record to <off>. » Note: As with manual step editing, only the edit buffer is recorded. You have to store it or the pattern will be discarded once you select the next pattern. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 104 The purely digital instruments X1, X2 and FM use a regular level pan in the stereo mix. On the last page, some extra parameters for the FM synth like FM Volume and voice count are placed in the pan section as well. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 105 P CPp an RMp a n C R pan R Dp n N O63 O6 3 O 6 3 O 63 12.9.2.1 Clap Pan <000-127, 63=Center) 12.9.2.2 Rim Pan <000-127, 63=Center) 12.9.2.3 Crash Pan <000-127, 63=Center) 12.9.2.4 Ride Pan <000-127, 63=Center) ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 106 X1, the right to X2. 12.9.3.4 Inititialise Panning This function initialises all pan settings. If you turn right, the display shows “done” and all pannings are set to their default center value <063>. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 107 Press (Shift/Cancel)) - all 16 step LEDs start to blink - and then select (Step 10) = Scale. The display shows: Scale = A Now use the (Data) wheel to change the scale. After your edit has been done, press (Enter) to leave the shift mode menu. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 108 Double click to set roll There are 60 different flam patterns. Roll/Flam= ____________ Double click to set roll Select your desired flam pattern and press (Enter) to leave the function. Note: every track has its own roll/flam pattern. ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 109 This function works similar to a PC that has to be shut down rather than just turning it off. As described in section DISK, the Alpha Base has a flash memory that needs to turn off parts of the DSPs whilst writing memory blocks. Although the sequencer keeps on running, the instruments are muted or sound different.

  • Page 110: Midi Implementation

    FM Synth (max. 6 voices polyph.) 36-97 C1-C6 On channel 16, the Alpha Base offers a key mapping for all instruments. Each instrument maps 4 notes on the keyboard. The pitch is added according to the 4 notes. Instrument Note Number...
  • Page 111 0-127 Pulse 0-127 Noise 0-127 Attack 0-127 0-127 Compression 0-127 Gate time 0-127 Metallic Noise 0-127 LFO Wave 0-63 LFO Intensity 0-127 LFO Rate 0-127 Envelope Attack 0-127 Envelope Decay 0-127 Envelope Amount 0-127 Volume 0-127 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 112 LFO 2 Wave 0-63 LFO 2 Intensity 0-127 LFO 2 Rate 0-127 Envelope 1 Attack 0-127 Envelope 1 Decay 0-127 Envelope 1 Amount 0-127 Envelope 2 Attack 0-127 Envelope 2 Decay 0-127 Envelope 2 Amount 0-127 Volume 0-127 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 113 Filter Mode 0-1(HH) 0-3(CLP-RID) LFO Syncronization LFO Wave 0-63 LFO Rate 0-127 LFO Tune Amount 0-127 LFO VCA Amount 0-127 LFO Filter Amount 0-127 Metallic Noise 0-127 Switch CC 1-0:Reverse on/off 3-2: Loop on/off Volume 0-127 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 114 OP3 EG VCA Amount 0-127 → OP4 EG VCA Amount 0-127 → OP1 EG FM Amount 0-127 → OP2 EG FM Amount 0-127 → OP3 EG FM Amount 0-127 → OP4 EG FM Amount 0-127 Volume 0-127 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 115 0-127 0-127 64=Center 0-127 0-127 64=Center 0-127 0-127 64=Center 0-127 0-127 64=Center Clap 0-127 0-127 64=Center 0-127 0-127 64=Center Crash 0-127 0-127 64=Center Ride 0-127 0-127 64=Center 0-127 0-127 64=Center 0-127 0-127 64=Center 0-127 0-127 64=Center ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 116 Only then will the bank be changed. 13.1.3 3. Sysex Commands Single Preset bulk dump $F0(SysEx begin), $31(JoMoX-manufact. code), $7F(Command Sys Ex dump), $5D(Product code), $01(Single Preset),$55, XX(Data0),XX(Data1),..., $F7(End of SysEx) Single Pattern bulk dump $F0(SysEx begin), $31(JoMoX-manufact.
  • Page 117 P r ogr a mmi ng f i n i she d Tu rn u ni t o f f a nd o n 6. Now please turn the Alpha Base off and on again and see the new version number in the display.

  • Page 118: Specifications

    Kick Drum, MBrane, Cl HiHat, Op HiHat, Clap, Rim Shot, Crash, Ride, X Sample 1, X Sample 2, FM Synth. Real analog Jomox kick drum. • Real analog Jomox MBrane voice with 2 couple-able F-OSC for complex • analog snare, percussion, bass and tom sounds ranging from 16Hz to 20kHz.
  • Page 119 • 12V 2A DC external power supply. • Stable metal case. • Wood side cheeks, rubber feet. • Size: 41cm (16.1") x 24cm (9.5") x 8cm (3.2") (back side). • Weight: ca. 3.3kg (7.26 lbs). • ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...
  • Page 120 We hope that you’d have lots of entertainment, joy and timeless awareness with our products. Any feedback you might have is very welcome! Cheers, Jürgen Michaelis Berlin, 2017 Editors: Jürgen Michaelis, Carol McGuigan ALPHA BASE Operating Manual...

Table of Contents