Jomox Alpha Base
Release: 2017
Original MSRP: $1,999
Current Price: $1,999
Berlin-boutique synth maker Jomox has made a number of electronic instruments over the years. Their Alpha Base analogue drum machine is the culmination of 20 years of research and development via the company’s Xbase 09, 999 and 888 drum machines.
Alpha Base features 11 instruments, a sequencer with parameter locks, sample storage and inputs, and MIDI/USB/SD-Card functionality. The drum machine comes with an analogue sound engine that features kick drums, snare, hi-hats, bass and toms, and users can use an SD-Card to load samples onto the Alpha Base.
But Jomox didn’t stop there. The Alpha Base also features a 4-operator FM synth that can do up to six voices, giving it groovebox functionality. Taken altogether, these features make the Alpha Base a device that could easily explore the frontiers of electronic music, especially in the experimental techno category.
Effects can be added to each of Jomox’s instruments individually. Alpha Base comes with delay and reverb, and one LFO per instrument with 64 waveforms. Each of the LFOs can be assigned to pitch, VCA, and filter cutoff.
The downside is the price. It’s a big chunk of change to throw at a drum machine, even if it can double as a groovebox.