Jomox ALPHA BASE User manual

Version OS 1.0
ALPHA BASE
ANALOG DRUM SYNTHESIZER
Operating Manual

Version OS 1.0
1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................11
1.1 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE ALPHA BASE....................................................11
1.1.1 Kick Drum ...................................................................................................11
1.1.2 MBrane ........................................................................................................11
1.1.3 Samples+Filter.............................................................................................11
1.1.4 Hi Hat ..........................................................................................................12
1.1.5 Clap, Rim, Cras , Ride ...............................................................................12
1.1.6 X Sample 1+2 ..............................................................................................12
1.1.7 FM Synt .....................................................................................................12
1.1.8 Effects ..........................................................................................................13
1.1.9 Editing .........................................................................................................13
1.1.10 Manual convention.....................................................................................13
2 CONNECTION.........................................................................................................14
2.1.1 Power Supply...............................................................................................14
2.1.2 Audio connections........................................................................................14
2.1.3 USB Connection...........................................................................................14
2.1.4 MIDI Connections........................................................................................15
2.1.5 MIDI OUT....................................................................................................15
2.1.6 MIDI T ru....................................................................................................15
2.1.7 Sync Out 1+2...............................................................................................15
2.1.8 SD Card Slot................................................................................................16
2.2 QUICK START .......................................................................................................17
2.2.1 First Steps.....................................................................................................17
2.2.2 Select Presets:..............................................................................................18
2.2.3 Select Patterns:............................................................................................18
2.2.4 Select Instruments (=tracks): ......................................................................19
2.2.5 Mute Instruments:........................................................................................19
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 Pitc Sequence:..........................................................................................20
2.2.14 Editing Sample based instruments ............................................................20
3 THE USER INTERFACE.......................................................................................21
2 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual

Version OS 1.0
3.1 ENCODER MATRIX AND LEDS...............................................................................21
3.1.1 Muting Instruments/Encoder Click..............................................................21
3.2 ANALOG CONTROLS...............................................................................................21
3.2.1 Input Gain ...................................................................................................21
3.2.2 P ones..........................................................................................................21
3.2.3 Mix Volume..................................................................................................21
3.3 MENU CONTROLS..................................................................................................22
3.3.1 DATA............................................................................................................22
3.3.2 LEFT/RIGHT................................................................................................22
3.3.3 KIT/SEQ.......................................................................................................22
3.3.4 DISK.............................................................................................................22
3.3.5 BPM/MIDI....................................................................................................22
3.3.6 BANK 1 - 4 ..................................................................................................23
3.3.7 PAGE A/B.....................................................................................................23
3.3.8 BAR A, B, C, D.............................................................................................23
3.4 SEQUENCER/EDIT CONTROLS.................................................................................24
3.4.1 SEQ..............................................................................................................24
3.4.2 CHAIN..........................................................................................................24
3.4.3 X-REC .........................................................................................................24
3.4.4 EDIT/TRIG...................................................................................................24
3.4.5 DOWN/UP....................................................................................................24
3.5 STEP SEQUENCER CONTROLS.................................................................................25
3.5.1 Start..............................................................................................................25
3.5.2 Stop...............................................................................................................25
3.5.3 Enter.............................................................................................................25
3.5.4 S ift/Cancel..................................................................................................25
3.5.5 Scale Stripes.................................................................................................25
3.5.6 Step 1-16 buttons and LEDs.........................................................................25
3.5.7 Instrument Keys............................................................................................25
4 KIT/SEQ....................................................................................................................26
4.1 SELECT A DRUM KIT:..............................................................................................2
4.1.1 Kit Select Mode............................................................................................26
4.1.2 Parameter Mode...........................................................................................26
4.2 NAMING OF A KIT..................................................................................................27
5 EDITING...................................................................................................................28
5.1 SELECT AN INSTRUMENT........................................................................................28
5.2 PLAY AN INSTRUMENT...........................................................................................28
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Version OS 1.0
5.3 EDIT AN INSTRUMENT............................................................................................28
6 ANALOG INSTRUMENTS....................................................................................29
.1 KICK DRUM..........................................................................................................29
6.1.1 KD Page 1 A = Page 1 B.............................................................................29
.1.1.1 Tune < 000-127 >............................................................................................29
.1.1.2 Pitch < 000-127 >...........................................................................................29
.1.1.3 Decay < 000-127 >..........................................................................................29
.1.1.4 Harm = Harmonics < 000-127 >.......................................................................29
6.1.2 KD Page 2 A................................................................................................30
.1.2.1 Attack < 000-127 >..........................................................................................30
.1.2.2 Pulse < 000- 127 >..........................................................................................30
.1.2.3 Noise < 000-127 >...........................................................................................30
.1.2.4 EQ < 000- 127 >.............................................................................................30
6.1.3 KD Page 2 B.................................................................................................31
.1.3.1 PtAtk = Pitch Attack < 000-127 >.....................................................................31
.1.3.2 PtDec = Pitch Decay < 000- 127 >.....................................................................31
6.1.4 KD Page 3 A = Page 3 B.............................................................................32
.1.4.1 Compr = Compression < 000-127 >..................................................................32
.1.4.2 MetNz = Metal Noise < off/noi-127 >.............................................................32
.1.4.3 EVAmt = Envelope Amount < 000-127 >.......................................................32
.1.4.4 Gate < 000-127 >...........................................................................................32
6.1.5 KD Page 4 A.................................................................................................33
.1.5.1 LFWav = LFO Wave < 000-0 3 >...................................................................33
.1.5.2 LFRat = LFO Rate < 000-127 >......................................................................33
.1.5.3 LFInt = LFO Intensity < 000-127 >..................................................................33
.1.5.4 Vol = Volume < 000-127 >..............................................................................33
6.1.6 KD Page 4 B.................................................................................................34
.1. .1 Acc = Accent < 000-127 >..............................................................................34
.2 MBRANE...............................................................................................................35
6.2.1 MB Page 1 A................................................................................................37
.2.1.1 Pitc1 = M1 Pitch < 000- 127 >..........................................................................37
.2.1.2 Damp1 = M1 Dampen < 000-127 >...................................................................37
.2.1.3 Pitc2 = M2 Pitch < 000-127 >..........................................................................37
.2.1.4 Damp2 = M2 Dampen < 000-127 >..................................................................37
6.2.2 MB Page 2 A................................................................................................38
.2.2.1 Cupl1 = Coupling 1->2 < 000-127 >................................................................38
.2.2.2 Cupl2 = Coupling 2->1 < 000-127 >.................................................................38
.2.2.3 Noise < 000-127 >..........................................................................................38
.2.2.4 Decay < 000-127 >........................................................................................39
6.2.3 MB Page 2 B................................................................................................39
.2.3.1 P1Atk = Pitch1 Attack < 000-127 >..................................................................39
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.2.3.2 P1Dec = Pitch1 Decay < 000-127 >..................................................................39
.2.3.3 P2Atk = Pitch2 Attack < 000-127 >..................................................................39
.2.3.4 P2Dc = Pitch2 Decay < 000-127 >...................................................................39
6.2.4 MB Page 3 A................................................................................................40
.2.4.1 NzFil = Noise Filter < 000-127 >.....................................................................40
.2.4.2 MtNz1 = Metal Noise 1 < 000-127 >................................................................40
.2.4.3 NzShp = Noise Shape < 000-012 >...................................................................40
.2.4.4 Gate < 000-127 >...........................................................................................41
6.2.5 MB Page 3 B................................................................................................41
.2.5.1 E1Amt = Envelope 1 Amount < 000-127 >.....................................................41
.2.5.2 MtNz2 = Metal Noise 2 < 000-127 >................................................................41
.2.5.3 E2Amt = Envelope 2 Amount < 000-127 >....................................................41
6.2.6 MB Page 4 A................................................................................................42
.2. .1 L1Wav = LFO 1 Wave < 000-0 3 >.................................................................42
.2. .2 L1Rat = LFO 1 Rate < 000-127 >....................................................................42
.2. .3 L1Int = LFO 1 Intensity < 000-127 >...............................................................42
.2. .4 Vol = Volume < 000-127 >..............................................................................42
6.2.7 MB Page 4 B................................................................................................43
.2.7.1 L2Wav = LFO 2 Wave < 000-0 3 >.................................................................43
.2.7.2 L2Rat = LFO 2 Rate < 000-127 >...................................................................43
.2.7.3 L2Int = LFO 2 Intensity < 000-127 >...............................................................43
.2.7.4 Acc = Accent < 000-127 >..............................................................................43
7 SAMPLE ASED INSTRUMENTS.......................................................................44
7.1 SAMPLE ENGINE....................................................................................................44
7.1.1 SMP Page 1 A (every sampling instrument including X Sample tracks).....44
7.1.1.1 Pitch < 000-127 >............................................................................................44
7.1.1.2 Start < 000-127 >.............................................................................................44
7.1.1.3 Stop < 000-127 >.............................................................................................44
7.1.1.4 Sample < 000-300 >.........................................................................................45
7.1.2 SMP Page 1 B (every sampling instrument including X Sample tracks).....45
7.1.2.1 Cents < 000-127 >...........................................................................................45
7.1.2.2 Loop < 000-127 >...........................................................................................45
7.1.2.3 LopOn = Loop On < 000/128 >......................................................................45
7.1.2.4 Revr = Reverse play < 000/128 >....................................................................45
7.2 SAMPLE ANALOG ENGINE......................................................................................4
7.2.1 SMP Page 2 A..............................................................................................47
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
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Version OS 1.0
7.2.2.1 FiAtt = Filter Attack < 000-127 >....................................................................48
7.2.2.2 FiDec = Filter Decay < 000-127 >...................................................................48
7.2.2.3 FiSus = Filter Sustain < 000-127 >...................................................................48
7.2.2.4 FiRel = Filter Release < 000-127 >...................................................................48
7.2.3 CH/OH Page 3 A (only Hi Hat Filter).........................................................49
7.2.3.1 LpCut = Low Pass Cutoff < 000-127 >.............................................................49
7.2.3.2 HpCut = High Pass Cutoff < 000-127 >............................................................49
7.2.3.3 Res = Resonance < 000-127 >.........................................................................49
7.2.3.4 Rout = Filter Routing < 000-001 >...................................................................49
7.2.4 CH/OH Page 3 B (only Hi Hat Filter).........................................................50
7.2.4.1 LpCut = Low Pass Cutoff < 000-127 >.............................................................50
7.2.4.2 HpCut = High Pass Cutoff < 000-127 >............................................................50
7.2.4.3 EvAmt = Envelope Amount < 000-127 >.........................................................50
7.2.4.4 NtNz = Metal Noise < 000-127 >....................................................................50
7.2.5 SMP Page 3 A (only MM Filter Instruments Clap, Rim, Cras and Ride)..51
7.2.5.1 Cutoff < 000-127 >.........................................................................................51
7.2.5.2 Res = Resonance < 000-127 >........................................................................51
7.2.5.3 EvAmt = Envelope Amount < 000-127 >.........................................................51
7.2.5.4 Rout = Filter Routing < 000-003 >...................................................................52
7.2.6 SMP Page 3 B (only MM Filter Instruments Clap, Rim, Cras and Ride)..52
7.2. .1 Cutoff < 000-127 >.........................................................................................52
7.2. .2 Res = Resonance < 000-127 >........................................................................52
7.2. .3 EvAmt = Envelope Amount < 000-127 >.........................................................52
7.2. .4 NtNz = Metal Noise < 000-127 >....................................................................52
7.2.7 SMP Page 4 A (every sampling instrument including X Sample tracks).....53
7.2.7.1 LFWav = LFO Wave < 000-0 3 >....................................................................53
7.2.7.2 LFRat = LFO Rate < 000-127 >.......................................................................53
7.2.7.3 LFTun = LFO Sample Tune Amount < 000-127 >...........................................53
7.2.7.4 Vol = Volume < 000-127 >..............................................................................53
7.2.8 SMP Page 4 B (every sampling instrument including X Sample tracks).....54
7.2.8.1 LFsyn = LFO Syncronization < 000/128 >.......................................................54
7.2.8.2 LFVCA = LFO VCA Amount < 000-127 >....................................................54
7.2.8.3 LFcut = LFO Cutoff Amount < 000-127 >.......................................................54
7.2.8.4 Acc = Accent < 000-127 >..............................................................................54
7.3 X SAMPLE INSTRUMENTS.......................................................................................55
7.3.1 X1/X2 Page 1 A............................................................................................55
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 SYNTH............................................................................................................58
7.4.1 FM Synt modulation matrix.......................................................................58
7.4.1.1 FM Modulation Matrix Page A..........................................................................59
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7.4.2 FM Synt Operator Description..................................................................60
7.4.3 FM Synt Envelope Page B..........................................................................61
7.4.3.1 EG1At = Sine Operator 1 Envelope Generator Attack <0-127>........................ 1
7.4.3.2 EG1Rl = Sine Operator 1 Envelope Generator Release <0-127>....................... 1
7.4.3.3 S1Amt = Sine Operator EG1 VCA Amount <0-127>........................................ 1
7.4.3.4 S1FM = Sine Operator EG1 FM Amount <0-127>............................................ 1
7.5 EFFECTS................................................................................................................ 2
7.5.1 Entering t e FX page...................................................................................63
7.5.2 Reverb Parameters Page 1 A......................................................................63
7.5.2.1 Reverb Room Size ............................................................................................ 3
7.5.2.2 Reverb Low Frequencies................................................................................... 3
7.5.2.3 Reverb High Frequencies................................................................................... 3
7.5.2.4 Reverb Level...................................................................................................... 4
7.5.3 Reverb Send KD, MB, CH, OH Page 2 A....................................................64
7.5.3.1 Kick Drum Reverb Send.................................................................................... 4
7.5.3.2 MBrane Reverb Send......................................................................................... 4
7.5.3.3 Closed HiHat Reverb Send................................................................................ 4
7.5.3.4 Open HiHat Reverb Send................................................................................... 4
7.5.4 Reverb Send CLAP, RIM, CRASH, RIDE Page 3 A.....................................65
7.5.4.1 Clap Reverb Send.............................................................................................. 5
7.5.4.2 Rim Reverb Send............................................................................................... 5
7.5.4.3 Crash Reverb Send............................................................................................ 5
7.5.4.4 Ride Reverb Send.............................................................................................. 5
7.5.5 Reverb Send X1, X2, FM, Rev on/off Page 4 A............................................66
7.5.5.1 X Sample 1 Reverb Send...................................................................................
7.5.5.2 X Sample 2 Reverb Send...................................................................................
7.5.5.3 FM Synth Reverb Send......................................................................................
7.5.5.4 Reverb on/off.....................................................................................................
7.5.6 Delay Parameters Page 1 B.........................................................................67
7.5. .1 Delay Time ....................................................................................................... 7
7.5. .2 Delay Feedback................................................................................................. 7
7.5. .3 Delay Spatial..................................................................................................... 7
7.5. .4 Delay Level....................................................................................................... 7
7.5.7 Delay Send KD, MB, CH, OH Page 2 B......................................................68
7.5.7.1 Kick Drum Delay Send...................................................................................... 8
7.5.7.2 MBrane Delay Send........................................................................................... 8
7.5.7.3 Closed HiHat Delay Send.................................................................................. 8
7.5.7.4 Open HiHat Delay Send..................................................................................... 8
7.5.8 Delay Send CLAP, RIM, CRASH, RIDE Page 3 B......................................69
7.5.8.1 Clap Delay Send................................................................................................ 9
7.5.8.2 Rim Delay Send................................................................................................. 9
7.5.8.3 Crash Delay Send.............................................................................................. 9
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Version OS 1.0
7.5.8.4 Ride Delay Send................................................................................................ 9
7.5.9 Delay Send X1, X2, FM, Rev on/off Page 4 A..............................................70
7.5.9.1 X Sample 1 Delay Send.....................................................................................70
7.5.9.2 X Sample 2 Delay Send.....................................................................................70
7.5.9.3 FM Synth Delay Send........................................................................................70
7.5.9.4 Delay on/off.......................................................................................................70
8 SINGLE/MULTI MODE.........................................................................................71
8.1 ACTIVATING SINGLE OR MULTI MODE....................................................................72
8.1.1 Selecting an Instrument in Multi Mode........................................................73
8.1.2 Editing and Storing Sounds in Multi Mode..................................................73
9 DISK..........................................................................................................................74
9.1 FILE FORMAT........................................................................................................74
9.2 LOADING SAMPLES FROM DISK..............................................................................75
9.2.1 C ange and Open a Folder..........................................................................75
9.2.2 Load a Sample into RAM.............................................................................76
9.2.3 Load a Sample into Flas Memory..............................................................76
9.3 SAVE RECORDING TO FILE.....................................................................................77
9.4 LOAD PRESETS FROM FILE.....................................................................................77
9.5 SAVE PRESETS TO FILE..........................................................................................78
9. LOAD SEQUENCE FROM FILE..................................................................................78
9.7 SAVE SEQUENCE TO FILE.......................................................................................79
9.8 LOAD OS SYSTEM FILE..........................................................................................80
9.9 RESTORE ALL FLASH SAMPLES AND MEMORY........................................................80
9.10 LOAD BACKUP FILE AND RESTORE PRESETS AND PATTERNS.................................81
10 PM/MIDI..............................................................................................................82
10.1 BPM <030-300>...............................................................................................82
10.2 MIDI SETTINGS....................................................................................................82
10.2.1 ClkSync = Midi Clock Syncronization <on/off>.......................................82
10.2.2 TxClk = Transmit Midi Clock <on/off>....................................................83
10.3 MIDI PAGE 2 MIDI ENABLES...............................................................................83
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 MIDI PAGE 3 SYSEX DUMP FUNCTIONS................................................................84
10.4.1 DumpKit.....................................................................................................84
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10.4.2 DumpAllKits...............................................................................................85
10.4.3 DumpSeq....................................................................................................85
10.4.4 DumpAllSeq................................................................................................85
10.5 MIDI PAGE 4 SAMPLE SYSEX DUMP FUNCTIONS..................................................85
10.5.1 DumpSample..............................................................................................85
10.5.2 DumpAllSampl...........................................................................................85
11 THE SEQUENCER................................................................................................86
11.1 SELECTING PATTERNS..........................................................................................8
11.1.1 Pattern Recall.............................................................................................86
11.1.2 Bank button...............................................................................................86
11.1.3 C aining of Patterns..................................................................................87
11.2 PROGRAMMING OF PATTERNS...............................................................................87
11.2.1 Setting or Clearing Steps – Programming Beats.......................................88
11.2.2 Setting/Clearing Accents............................................................................88
11.2.3 BAR Button <A-D>....................................................................................89
11.2.4 Scale <A-D>..............................................................................................89
11.2.4.1 Editing Scale:...................................................................................................90
11.2.5 Last Step <1-64>......................................................................................90
11.2.6 A/B/C/D Copy function..............................................................................91
11.2.7 S uffle <000-011>.....................................................................................92
11.2.8 Roll/Flam....................................................................................................92
11.2.9 Store Pattern / Copy Function...................................................................93
11.3 SEQ MODE.........................................................................................................95
11.3.1 Pitc Sequence...........................................................................................95
11.3.2 Parameter Locks........................................................................................96
11.3.2.1 Setting p-locks.................................................................................................9
11.3.2.2 Setting Instrument Select as p-locks................................................................97
11.3.2.3 Editing p-locks.................................................................................................98
11.3.2.4 Setting or Clearing p-locks
.......................................................................................................................................99
12 2ND FUNCTIONS...............................................................................................100
12.1 STORE KIT (1)...................................................................................................100
12.2 CLEAR PATTERN (2)..........................................................................................101
12.3 STORE PATTERN (3)...........................................................................................101
12.4 INIT KIT (4)......................................................................................................102
12.5 LAST STEP (5)...................................................................................................102
12. SHUFFLE ( )......................................................................................................102
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12.7 REALTIME WRITE (7)........................................................................................103
12.8 METRONOME (8)...............................................................................................104
12.9 STEREO PANNING (9).........................................................................................104
12.9.1 Stereo Pan KD, MB, CH, OH Page 1......................................................105
12.9.1.1 Kick Drum Pan <000-127, 3=Center)..........................................................105
12.9.1.2 MBrane Pan <000-127, 3=Center)...............................................................105
12.9.1.3 Closed HiHat Pan <000-127, 3=Center)......................................................105
12.9.1.4 Open HiHat Pan <000-127, 3=Center).........................................................105
12.9.2 Stereo Pan Clap, Rim, Cras , Ride Page 2..............................................105
12.9.2.1 Clap Pan <000-127, 3=Center)....................................................................105
12.9.2.2 Rim Pan <000-127, 3=Center).....................................................................105
12.9.2.3 Crash Pan <000-127, 3=Center)...................................................................105
12.9.2.4 Ride Pan <000-127, 3=Center)....................................................................105
12.9.3 Stereo Pan X1, X2, X Input Mono/Stereo, Init Page 3.............................106
12.9.3.1 X1 Pan <000-127, 3=Center).......................................................................10
12.9.3.2 X2 Pan <000-127, 3=Center).......................................................................10
12.9.3.3 X Input Mono/Stereo <on/off>......................................................................10
12.9.3.4 Inititialise Panning.........................................................................................10
12.9.4 Stereo Pan X1, X2, X Input Mono/Stereo, Init Page 4.............................107
12.9.4.1 FM Pan..........................................................................................................107
12.9.4.2 FM Spatial.....................................................................................................107
12.9.4.3 FM Number of Voices <001-00 >.................................................................107
12.9.4.4 FM Volume....................................................................................................107
12.10 SCALE (10)......................................................................................................107
12.11 A/B/C/D COPY (11).......................................................................................108
12.12 ROLL/FLAM (12).............................................................................................108
12.13 FX (13) .........................................................................................................109
12.14 SHUT DOWN ALPHA BASE (1 )........................................................................109
13 APPENDIX...........................................................................................................110
13.1 MIDI IMPLEMENTATION....................................................................................110
13.1.1 Midi Note Commands...............................................................................110
13.1.2 Sound Parameter (Continuous Controllers)............................................111
13.1.3 3. Sysex Commands..................................................................................116
10 ALPHA BASE Operating Manual