Jomox Xbase 09 User manual

XBase 09 Operating Manual
Software Version 2.09
9

Page 2 XBase 09 Operating Manual

XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 3
Contents Page
1. Introduction 05
1.1 Introducing the XBase09 05
2. Connecting the Xbase09 07
2.1 Back Panel 07
2.2 Power supply 07
2.3 Audio connections 07
2.4 MIDI connections 08
2.4.1 Midi In 08
2.4.2 Midi Out 08
2.4.3 Midi Thru 08
2.5 DIN SYNC OUT 08
3. Quick start guide 09
3.1 Listening to already programmed patterns 09
3.2 To play with the sounds 09
3.3 To programm patterns 10
4 . Detailed description 13
4.1 The Controls 13
4.1.1 Diagram 13
4.2 Functions of Buttons and Knobs 14
4.2.1 Sound Control Knobs 14
4 .2.1.1 Base Drum Parameters 15
4.2.1.2 SnareDrum Parameters 15
4.2.1.3 HiHat Parameters 15
4.2.2 Tempo / data control 16
4.2.3 Up / Down buttons 16
4.2.4 Instrument volume control 16
4.2.5 Master volume control 16
4.2.6 Accent control 16
4.2.7 WRITE 17
4.2.8 Mode buttons PERF, PATT, SONG, 17
4.2.9 Step- / Pattern- / Function buttons 17
4.2.10 Instrument buttons 18
5. Perform Mode 19
5.1 Perform Play Mode (pattern playback) 19
5.2 Selecting Drum kits 19
5.3 Creating and storing your custom Drum kits 19
5.4 Recording Patterns in Perform-WriteMode 20
6. Pattern Mode 21
6.1 Pattern Play Mode (pattern playback) 21

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6.2 Pattern Write Mode (recording patterns) 21
6.3 Recording sound changes in Pattern Write Mode 21
6.3. 1.Individual Step Edit 21
6.3.2 Track Record Mode 21
6.4 Pattern functions 22
6.4.1 Copy 22
6.4.2 Clear 22
6.4.3 Bank No. 22
6.4.4 Scale 23
6.4.5 Last Step 23
6.4.6 Shuffle 24
6.4.7 Real-time Write 25
6.4.8 Metronome 25
6.4.9 HH Sample Select 25
6.4.10 HH Reverse 26
6.4.11 LFO Page 26
6.4.12 Track Page 29
7. Song Mode 30
7.1 Song Play Mode 30
7.2 Song Write Mode 30
7.2.1 Song - Step (BASS DRUM button) 30
7.2.2 Pattern - Number (SNARE DRUM button) 30
7.2.3 Repeat (CLOSED HH button) 31
7.2.4 Song End 31
7.2.5 Store Song Step (OPEN HH button) 31
7.3 Song functions 31
7.3.1 Copy Song 31
7.3.2 Clear Song 31
8. Saving and loading Data via MIDI-Dump 32
8.1 Saving the Xbase’s memory to an external MIDI recorder 32
8.2 Loading Xbase09 data from an external MIDI player 32
9. Controlling the XBase09 via MIDI 33
9.1 MIDI Channel 33
9.2 MIDI Modes 33
10. Synchronisation with other Devices 34
10.1 MIDI - Clock 34
10.2 DIN - Sync 34
11. MIDI Implementation 35
11.1 Sound parameters 35
11.2 Note messages 36
11.3 System Exclusive Data 36
11.4 Memory Clear / Reset 36
11.5 Software Version Display 36
12. Technical data 37

XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 5
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introducing the XBase09
Dear Musician!
First of all we want to thank you for choosing the XBase09 Analogue Drum Module. You can
now program drum grooves on an instrument that not only matches the sound quality and
character of its predecessor, but surpasses it by opening an even larger scope of sound potential,
adding modern control technology to honest to goodness punchy old-time analog sound
generation
We combined our experience from many modifications of the TR 909 and other drum computers
and our MIDI interface know-how to develop this new product you now have in front of you. The
Xbase09 is more than just a drum machine because it is capable of closing the gap that seperates
"noisy" percussive sounds from more "tonal" sounds.
Among its most interesting features are:
3 instruments or rather monophonic sound generators, namely bass drum, snare drum and
hihat with greatly enhanced sound forming parameters. Crazy kick drums, nasaly noisy snares
and hihat modulations (including reversed playback) that the TR 909 could never have done are
now possible .
Original 909 analog sound generation with storable digital Midi control of ALL parameters. In
order to preserve the "analogness" of sound generation as well as of sound control, all parameters
are controlled by specially adapted and discretely built digital to analog converters. This measure
requires extra hardware, but enables practically immediate response to control messages. Great
care has been taken to preserve the analog feel of control voltages in the Xbase09’s MIDI control
of sound parameters. For most parameters, the range of control has been greatly increased.
All sound forming parameters have a dedicated physical knob on the unit that sends the
respective MIDI controller. In PERFORM-MODE the Xbase09 can send MIDI controllers and
receive them at the same time.
100 ROM drum kits are already programmed for immediate access.
100 of your own custom drum kits can be stored in the RAM-Section.
64 patterns are stored in 4 memory banks containing 16 patterns each.
10 Songs can be stored. These can be comprised of 64 patterns and can repeat every pattern 255
times per song step. 100 song steps are allowed per song, each of which may run at its own
tempo

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The on-board step sequencer allows for extensive direct access, even in a live concert situation.
All sound-forming parameters are programmable for every step by simply turning the control
knobs. This is the decisive feature of the XBase09.
Depending on the used mode, it is possible to program completely different sounds for every
single step in a pattern.
Also possible are continous soundchanges over several steps and these features can be used for
bass-, snare- and HiHat-track individually.
Software-Version 2.09 :
There are also three additional Sequencer-Tracks. Their data is putted out via Midi to control up
to three different outboard soundsources. Notes and length is controlled easily by the knobs on the
XBase09 front panel. (See V2-Update!)
The internal sequencer enables sound and tone control for each instrument in each step without
the timing delays that MIDI controllers and note-on messages would produce. This is the reason
why the Xbase09 grooves so tightly when running on its own, much tighter than if it played the
same pattern in MIDI remote control mode.

XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 7
2. CONNECTING THE XBASE 09
Before you connect the Xbase09 to any other device, you should always switch off all the
involved devices.
2.1 Back Panel
You will find the following connections on the Xbase09's Back Panel:
12V~AC IN ON/OFF MIDI IN MIDI OUT MIDI THRU DIN SYNC HH OUT SD OUT BD OUT MIX OUT
2.2 Power Supply
Insert the power supply unit shipped with the Xbase09 into a power outlet and connect it to the
power supply socket labelled 12V~ AC IN on the Xbase09's back panel. Should you for some
reason not use the original power supply unit, make sure you are using one that provides
alternating current (AC/AC) with 12 volts and at least 1 ampere.
NEVER use an AC/DC power supply unit, as this can permanently damage the Xbase09.
2.3 Audio Connections
Switch off the Xbase09 and your mixer. The Xbase09 has a MIX output which carries the audio
signals of all instruments provided there are no plugs inserted into one of the individual outputs.
Individual outputs are provided for the bass drum, the snare drum and the hihat section. As soon
as a jack plug is inserted into one of these individual outputs, that instrument is no longer played
back through the Xbase09's MIX output. Connect the required outputs to your mixer's inputs with
1/4" jack plug cables.

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2.4 MIDI Connections
2.4.1 MIDI In
The Xbase09 can be controlled by (and synchronize to) MIDI devices (keyboards, computers,
sequencers, tape recorders) connected to the MIDI in socket.
Connect the Xbase09’s MIDI In to the other device’s MIDI Out with a standard MIDI cable.
2.4.2 MIDI Out
The Xbase09 transmits MIDI data to other MIDI devices such as keyboards, computers and
sequencers via MIDI Out. Connect the XBase09's MIDI Out socket with the other device's MIDI
In socket by means of a standard MIDI cable.
2.4.3 MIDI Thru
MIDI data received at the XBase09's MIDI In is echoed unchanged at the MIDI Thru socket.
You can connect additional MIDI devices to MIDI Thru.
2.5. DIN Sync Out
The Xbase09 features a DIN Sync Out socket. This enables you to sync a TB or TR machine to
the Xbase09. The clock triggers are very precisely aligned to the Xbase09's internal timing.
You can synchronise sequencers, drum machines etc. that support the DIN sync protocl (e.g.
Roland TR808,TB303, Korg Rythm 55b, KPR77 ) to the XBase09 by connecting them to DIN
Sync Out.
Connect the XBase09's DIN Sync Out with the Syn In socket of the device you want to
synchronize to the XBase09. Make sure that the device is set to external sync mode.
The XBase09 outputs the following signals via DIN-Sync-Out :
Start/Stop (Pin 1)
Clock Trigger with 24 Ticks/Quarter Note (Pin 3)
Ground (Pin 2)
Signal level is 5 volts
Make sure that your cables actually connect the abovementioned pins. Some specialized
MIDI cables don't, becaus these pins are not used for MIDI transmission.

XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 9
3.0 Quick start guide
Turn unit on (back panel)!
Turn up the master Volume control (upper right of the machine).
Turn up the individual volumes (BD Level, SD Level and HH level at lower center).
3.1 To listen to sample patterns already programmed into the XBase-09
Hit the Pattern button (labeled „Patt", on the right of the machine).
Use the Up/Down keys to scroll down to Pattern 1 (LED display will read „P01").
Hit the Start button (on the left of the machine).
To adjust tempo to your liking keep the Accent-Button pressed down and use the
Tempo/Data knob (on the right of the machine).
Using the Up/Down buttons you can change patterns while the machine is in play.
To learn more about how the Xbase is making the sounds it is, you can „solo" the Bass, Snare or
HiHat channel by turning down the individual volumes of the other two channels.
If you hear interesting „swooshing sounds" in some of the Patterns, these sounds are being
generated by one of the two onboard LFO sections (which can run „free", be triggered on each hit
or sync'ed to Midi).
You may come across Patterns that are long enough to occupy two Pattern spaces. To move past
these Patterns once you've listende to them, hit the Stop button, then the Patt button and you can
once again use the Up/Down keys to scroll past these special Patterns.
3.2 To play with the sounds in the XBase-09
Hit the Pattern button (labeled Patt) and use the Up/Down keys to scroll until the display reads
„P01". Now hit the Peformance button (labeled Perf). You can hit any of the Instrument pads at
the bottom of the front panel and turn the appropriate controls above (for the Bass Drum, turn the
Bass Drum controls, etc.). Twiddle the knobs! Have fun! The controls are highly interactive, so
be prepared to hear a lot of different sounds as you turn knobs.
If you'd like to hear the Bass Drum playing without having to hit the pad, simply hit the „Start"
button (on the left of the machine). If you want, you can „solo" the Bass Drum by turning down
the Snare and HiHat volumes. If you'd like to adjust the tempo, turn the Tempo control (on the
right of the machine). You can still play with the knobs now!
Now, turn down the Bass Drum volume and „solo" the Snare by turning up its volume. Play with
the Snare controls. Try the Hat section, as well. The Clap, Rim, Crash, Ride and Noise Samples,
and the Reverse versions of all of those are best explored within the Pattern context described
below.
While the machine is playing, you can hear different pre-programmed „drum kits" by simply
hiting the Up/Down keys. Also, while the machine is playing, sou can change the Pattern you are
listening to simply by hitting one of the buttons labeled 1 to 16. To switch „drum kits" while
hearing this new pattern, simply hit the Up/Down keys. There are 100 ROM kits preprogrammed
in the machine. They are stored in the memoryslots r00 to r99.

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3.3 To Programm patterns into the XBase-09 (the real fun!)
Here's where the real fund begins:
Make sure the machine is in Pattern mode (Patt light is on). Make sure the Bass Drum, Snare
Drum and Hi Hat volumes are up, and the Master Volume control is up.
Hit the „Start" button.
(If you follow the directions carefully, you should never(!) have to hit the „Stop" button!)
Using the Up/Down keys, scroll to a Pattern number where this is no data... you'll know when
you've reached an empty Pattern when you hear no sound (brilliant!). Try above Pattern 30 to find
an empty one.
Hit the Write button (Write button will light up). Notice that the Bass Drum pad is blinking. This
means you're ready to Programm the pattern of the Bass Drum.
By pushing the various 16 red „Note Buttons 1, 5, 9 and 13 will give you a Bass Drum hit on
every quarter note. For our Pattern, choose 1, 5, 8, 9, 11, 14 and 16.
Now hit the Snare Drum pad (the lights blinks next to it, telling you the machine is ready to
Programm where the snare will play). Now hit the Note Buttons where you would like the snare
to play. (Tor this pattern, push Notes 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16)
Hit the Closed Hi Hat pad (light blinks), and Choose where you want it to play (try 7, 11, 15),
Now that the Kick, Share and Hat are playing, adjust their individual volumes to your taste.
NOW... hit the Snare Drum pad again. Hit the Accent pad (accent button flashes along with snare
button light). Notice that all of the Note lights disappear. This is because you have not yet chosen
any snare notes to be „accented" (louder volume). For a note to be Accented, it must already be
chosen to play normally.
To remember which Snare notes you've previously chosen to play normally, simply hit the Accent
pad again (accent light goes out) and the Note buttons will light up where you have normal snares
programmed. Hit the Accent pad again (Accent light flashing).
Choose some of the Snare notes to accent. Try 5, 8, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Adjust the Accent level by
using the Accent volume control (upper right of the machine). Hit the Accent pad to come out of
Accent mode.
You may hit either the Bass Drum pad or the Closed Hat pad, then hit the Accent pad so that the
Accent light is flashing and set either Kick notes or Closed Hat notes to be accented also.
... Now, are you ready for the next level?
Now let's edit the sounds in this pattern.
„Solo" the Bass Drum by turning down the Snare and Hat volume controls.
Push the Bass Drum pad and -while holding it down- push the „Write" button (both Bass Drum
pad and Write button are blinking). Perhaps the sound of the Bass Drum has now changed... this
is because the Bass Drum sound knobs have been activated.
Now start turning the Bass Drum sound controls (labeled Tune, Pitch, Decay, etc). Keep turning
until you find a sound you like. That sound is now being written into the Pattern. Hit the „Write"
button once to deselect it. Hit it once again so the Write light is on, but not blinking. We do this
so that we can now change the sound of INDIVIDUAL Bass Drum notes, as opposed to ALL of
them.

XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 11
Push the Bass Drum pad and -while holding it down- push the „Note #1" button once to deselect
it then once again so that it is in „record" (Note #1 light flashing). Notice that the Kick sound on
Note #1 is different. Again use the controls to alter the sound of the Kick on Note #1. Try
lenghening the decay, for instance. Once you have found a sound you like, hit the „Note #1"
button once to deselect it from recording, then hit it again so that it is playing, but it is not in
record.
You may follow this procedure for any of the other instruments as well.
... Let's get crazy!
Now let's edit the snare sound, changing it over the course of the whole bar.
„Solo" the sanre Drum by turning down the Bass and Hat volume controls.
Push the Snare Drum pad and -while holding it down- push the „Write" button (both Snare Drum
pad and Write button flash).
Now start turning the snare Drum sound controls. Keep turning until you find a sound you like.
That sound is now being written into the Pattern.
... Now for some real fun:
While you are still in this mode (Snare pad and Write lights blinking), turn the Snare tune knob
all the way counter-clockwise (Snare is at lowest possible pitch). You may choose to slow the
tempo down ( don’t forget to press the Accent-Knob !) to make this next move. Here we go...
keep your hand on the Snare Tune knob, and when the bar begins, move the knob clockwise
(turning up the pitch of the snare) so that at the end of the bar, the snare is near ist highest pitch.
You can practice this until you get a good „preformance". Once you have a good performance of
tuning up the pitch, hit the „Write" button at the end of the bar, before the bar starts over so that
you come out of the „record" mode! Your „performance" will now be stored with the Pattern! (If
you don't like your performance, hit the Write button, then push the Snare Drum pad again and -
while hoding it down- push the Write button again and try again).
You will notice when you hit the Write button at the end of that last move, its light went out. Hit
the Write button to activate the write mode again. Hit the Snare Drum pad so that ist light blinks.
Now, while holding down the Snare pad, hit Note button 9 twice and then Note button 11 twice.
These two Note buttons should be blinking. Turn the Snare Tune knob all the way up, turn
XSnapp, Dacay, Noise Tune and Detune knobs all the way down. Now the snare sounds like a
cowbell! Hit Note button 11 twice to take it „out of record", turn the Snare Tune knob down so
that Note 9 will have a different pitch than note 11. Now hit Note button 9 twice to take it out of
record. If you want, hit the Accent pad and select Notes 9 and 11 to increase the volume of those
cowbell hits.
... Let's get crazier !
Now let's look into the HiHat section:
„solo" the Hi Hat by turning down the Bass and Snare volume controls.
Hit the Closed Hi Hat pad. At this point, Notes 7, 11, 15 are lit. Make sure the Write light is lit,
but not blinking.
Now select Notes 9 and 10 by hitting those Note buttons.
Hit the shift button (lower right) and the Note button 13 (notice that below this Note button it says
„HH sample select"). Using the Up/Down buttons, scroll to where the display says „CLP". now
select Note buttons 9 and 10 and hit the „Enter" button. Those notes change to a 909 Rim sound.

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Now hold down the Closed Hi Hat pad and -while holding it down- hit Note buttons 9 and 10
twice... both Note Buttons 9 and 10 should be blinking. Now turn the Hi Hat Tune knob and
select a pitch for the Rim. Once you've got a good pitch, hit buttons 9 and 10 twice each again to
take them out of record. If you'd like either of those, hit louder, hit the Accent pad and select 9
and/or 19. Hit the Accent button again to come out of Accent mode.
Now, push the Open Hi Hat pad. Select Note buttons 1 and 13. Press Shift, and while holding it
down, hit Button 13 again. Use Up/Down to scroll to „CLP". Hit Button 13 to light it, then hit the
Enter Button. Note 13 becomes a Clap. By hitting the Accent mode, you can choose Button 13 to
make the claps louder. (Remember to hit the Accent pad again to come out of Accent). Now hold
down the Open Hi Hat pad and hit button 13 twice. Use the Hi Hat Tune knob and the OH Decay
knob to find a clap sound you like. Once you've found it, hit button 13 twice to deselect it from
recording.
Now push the Shift button, hold it down and hit Note button 13 again. Use the Up/Down keys to
scroll until the display reads „CrH", then hit Note button 1 and „Enter". There is now a crash
cymbal on Note 1.
... Turn up the Bass and Snare Drum volumes,
sit back and listen to what you've created so far!
... On to new frontiers!
Hit the „Shift" button, hold it down and hit Note button #6 (Shuffle). Use the Down button to
make the display read „2", which will swing the notes we choose to be a little late to the beat. Hit
the Note buttons 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16. Hit the „Enter" button. Notice that the „feel" of the
track has changed. If you like that sound, move to the next paragraph, or to change it back to
„straight time", hit the „Shift" button, hold it down and hit Note button 6 (shuffle). Use the
Up/Down buttons to make the display read „0", then light all of the unlit note buttons and hit
„Enter".
Hit the „Write" button twice so that it is lit.
Solo the HiHat by turning down the Bass Drum and Snare drum volumes.
Hit the Shift button, hold it down and select Note button 15 (LFO Page).
Turn the Bass Drum Decay (LFO Intensity) control so the display reads „000 or 001".
Turn the Bass Drum Tune (LFO Waveform) control so the display reads „tri".
Turn the Bass Drum Pitch (LFO Destination) control so the display reads „Htu".
Turn the Bass Drum Harmonics (LFO Speed) control so the display reads „004".
Turn the Bass Drum Pulse (LFO Sync) control so the display reads „SYn".
Now, turn the Bass Drum Decay (LFO Intensity) control so the display reads „010".
Hit the „Enter" button.
Hit the „Stop" button and then hit the „Write" button so that ist light goes out.
Turn up the Bass Drum and Snare Drum levels.
... Now, kick back, hit „START" and listen to your creation !

XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 13
4. Detailed description
4.1 The Controls
4.1.1 Diagram
Sound control knobs (light green)
Global knobs (light beige)
Up / Down (red)
Mode select (red)
Enter (red)
Step buttons1..16 (red)
Shift (red)
Start / Stop (red)
Instrument buttons (light grey)
9

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4.2 Functions of buttons and knobs
4.2.1 Sound control knobs
The sound control knobs adjust the sound of the three sound sources, namely bass drum, snare
drum and hihat in Perform and Pattern mode.
When a knob is turned, the Xbase09 displays the current parameter value. In PERForm mode. the
values are processed additively. This means that the parameter value is loaded from the
performance memory and added to (or subtracted from) the value generated by the control knob.
This process is started by turning a sound control knob.
It can therefore happen that a parameter value can’t be set to maximum (127) by turning a knob
fully clockwise, as is the case when the value stored in performance memory is small and the
knob's starting point is in the last third of its range. If you want to set a higher value in this case,
turn the knob all the way down and then set the desired value. Apply the opposite of this
procedure if you can’t directly set a level low enough.
All knob movements are transmitted as MIDI controllers. When receiving these MIDI controllers,
the Xbase09 responds as though its own control knobs have been turned. The same applies for
"Track Record" and "Step Editt" modes. This means that sound editing in the Xbase09's internal
sequencer can also be made via MIDI. See the MIDI implementation chart to find out which
controller is mapped to a given parameter. This mapping is fixed and can’t be changed.
Note: The hihat section is a monophonic sound generator that can play one of six samples (closed
hihat, open hihat, crash cymbal, ride cymbal rim shot and clap) or analog noise. This is what is
meant by "hihat section" in this manual. Although it carries the name, the hihat section does not
always produce the sound of a hihat!
4.2.1.1 Bass Drum Parameter
TUNE controls the pitch envelope amount on the bass drums VCO, just as on the TR 909. The
range of control has been increased.
PITCH ranges from 25 Hz subbass to relatively high tones. This is the actual VCO tuning
parameter as opposed to TUNE.
DECAY controls the bass drums decay, just as on the TR 909. The range has been increased to
allow for "walking bass" sounds with a maximum decay of 2.5 seconds.
HARMONICS changes the harmonics of the bass drum’s VCO. The original sine wave is
gradually distorted by a diode limiter which makes for a harder, timpani-like sound.
PULSE controls the pulse component of the attack
NOISE controls the noise component of the attack.
ATTACK controls how much of the PULSE and NOISE mix is added to the bass drum sound,
just as on the TR 909. PULSE is a square wave impulse, while NOISE generates a noisy clap-like

XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 15
sound. It is possilble to set both PULSE and NOISE to 0, emabling bass drum sounds completely
without attack or with PULSE or NOISE components only.
EQ smoothes the bass drum sound with a gently sloping filter. Use this for creating soft TR 808
like kick drum sounds.
4.2.1.2 Snare Drum Parameter
TUNE Just as on the TR909, TUNE controls the pitch of the two percussion oscillators, but with
an extended range of control.
XSNAPP controls the proprtion of noise in the snare sound and is actually filtered noise, just as
in the TR909, but with an extended range of control.
DECAY controls the snare’s noise decay time, just as "TONE" does on the TR909, but with an
extended range of control.
DETUNE detunes the snare drum oscillators
NOISE TUNE tunes the snare drum’s noise filter. If NOISE TUNE is set to 0, the noise signal is
turned off, leaving only the two oscillators sounding. Using the TUNE parameter you can
generate various percussion instruments with sounds similar to rim shot, cow bell or tom tom.
4.2.1.3 Hihat Parameters
The Xbase09ïs hihat section is essentially a monophonic sound generator that can play any of six
selectable samples or noise. "Monophonic" means that you can’t play Closed Hihat and Open
Hihat at the same time, (just as on a real hihat).
As in the original TR909, "Open Hihat" and "Closed Hihat" samples are six bit samples
You can substitute the "Open Hihat" and "Closed Hihat" samples with other onboard samples.
These are: Rim shot, Clap, Crash Cymbal and Ride Cymbal.
The Crash and Ride samples can be played back with the short "Closed Hihat" envelope. Noise
can be assigned as sound source instead of a sample All samples can be played back backwards
excepting "Ride Cymbal".
Sample assignment is arranged in the following order:
HH Sample
Select
HH CLP CrH rid noi
C H Closed Hi Hat Rim Shot Crash short Ride short Noise short
O H Open Hi Hat Hand Clap Crash long Ride long Noise long
C H Reverse Closed HH Rev Rim Shot Rev Crash short Rev
O H Reverse Open HH Rev Hand Clap Rev Crash long Rev
The samples played by either CH or OH are processed by a VCA working as a dynamic expander
that controls the volume envelope.

Page 16 XBase 09 Operating Manual
OH DECAY controls the decay time of the analog volume envelope that is laid over the OH
sample, just as on the TR909.
CH DECAY does the same for the sample assigned to CH.
HH BAL controls the volume balance between the samples assigned to OH and CH. Use this to
adjust the volume of different samples in pattern mode
TUNE defines the pitch i. e. the playback speed of the sample in a fairly wide range
All samples are processed by the VCA envelope. This VCA envelope is however not reversible,
which means that the DECAY parameter may need to be turned all the way up for the envelope
not to cut off the end part of a sample.
4.2.2 Tempo/Data Control
In PATTERN, SONG and SONG-PLAY modes, this knob controls the sequencer’s tempo.
Especially in a live-situation, it might be possible that you change the tempo by hitting the
Tempo-Knob unintended. To avoid this, the Tempo-Knob is only active when you hit the Accent-
Button and keep it pressed down while you turn the Tempo-Knob.
In some functions, it also serves to set the value of the parameter shown in the display.
Turning the knob counter clockwise reduces the value, turning it clockwise increases it. The data
knob can set tempo changes only in steps of two. To fine-set a BPM value, press the ACCENT
button and scroll through the values with the UP/DOWN buttons in single steps. It is not possilbe
to set fractions of BPM.
4.2.3 UP/DOWN buttons.
Use the UP/DOWN buttons to increase/decrease the values shown in the display in single steps. It
is possible to reverse the response of these buttons to what suits you better. Press the SHIFTand
UP buttons at the same time. You can now choose between the assignments Ud (Up Down) and
dU (Down UP). Press ENTER to select or SHIFT to abort.
4.2.4 Instrument Volume Control
BD Level, SD Level, HH Level
Use this to set the basic volume level of the individual instruments. These knobs also control the
level at the individual outputs.
4.2.5 Master-Volume Control
Use this to set the volume of the MIX output. For best sound quality, keep this knob turned up all
the way.
4.2.6 Accent Control
Depending on the ACCENT mode selected, this knob serves to set the global maximum accent.

XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 17
4.2.7 WRITE
This button switches between Pattern-Write, Perform-Write or Song-Write modes. Pressing the
button once activates the respective write mode which is indicated by the write button lighting up
. Pressing this button again switches the unit back into play mode, at which point the write
button's light turns off.
All mode functions can also be switched while the sequencer is running without timing glitches.
An interesting feature is switching from Perform to Pattern mode, since both modes use the same
patterns but with differing treatment of instrument sound parameters. This can be useful in live
performance.
4.2.8 STEP / PATTERN / FUNCTION buttons
START button
Start the Xbase09's sequencer by pressing the START button.
STOP/CONT button
To stop the sequencer, press the STOP/CONT button. To continue playing the sequencer, press
the STOP/CONT button again.
1 . . . 16 buttons
The 16 step buttons select patterns and steps directly. Press the shift button to access additional
functions (copy, clear, bank number, scale, last step, shuffle...).
ENTER button
Use the ENTER button to confirm the various SHIFT functions.
SHIFT button
After pressing the SHIFT button (which then lights up) you can select the functions as shown by
the step button’s labels. The selected SHIFT mode is displayed by the respective step button and
the shift button blinking until a data entry has been made. You can abort the function by pressing
the SHIFT button again.
4.2.9 INSTRUMENT Buttons.
BASS DRUM, SNARE DRUM, CLOSED HI HAT, OPEN HI HAT
The instrument buttons serve to select or to monitor the respective instrument. In Song mode,
special SONG - WRITE functions are assigned to these buttons! The LED next to each button
indicates the selected instrument depending on which mode is currently active.

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ACCENT / TEMPO FINE
In Pattern and Perform - Write mode, the ACCENT button serves to select the ACCENT track of
the currently active instrument. This is indicated by simultaneous blinking of both the ACCENT
LED and the LED of the respective instrument. Pressing the ACCENT button again switches back
into the instrument track. Pressing an instrument button while ACCENT is active also switches
ACCENT off again. ACCENT intensity is is globally controlled by the ACCENT knob in all
PLAY modes (PERFORM, PATTERN, SONG) and is valid for all instruments.
Setting the tempo with the ACCENT button:
Hold down the ACCENT button. Now you can increase or decrease the tempo with the
UP/DOWN buttons in steps of a single BPM.
Using the Accent button to make the Xbase09 display an absolute parameter value
Hold down the ACCENT and turn the desired knob. You thereby obtain the absolute value
corresponding to the knobs position (full left: 0, full right: 127), as opposed to the knob's additive
value.
Bank LEDs
The bank LEDs indicate which Pattern bank is active. There are 4 banks, each containing 16
patterns.
Scale LEDs
The scale LED indicates the note length of a step (scale) of the current pattern.
4.2.10 Mode select buttons PERF, PATT, SONG, WRITE
The mode buttons serve to select the Xbase09's various operating modes (see next chapter !).

XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 19
5. PERFORM MODE
Press the PERF button to switch into Perform mode. In Perform mode you can select and edit
drum kits and patterns, in a way similar to many "vintage" drum machines. In Perform mode,
sound parameter changes ARE NOT recorded and played back as in Perform Write mode (see
below). The Xbase09's speciality is programming patterns in Pattern Write mode.
5.1 Perform Play Mode (Pattern playback)
You can select from 64 patterns that are arranged in four banks with 16 patterns each.
To select a bank, press SHIFT/Bank No. and set the desired bank number with the UP/DOWN
buttons. One of the four bank LEDs will display which bank you have selected.
To select a pattern within that bank, press one of the 16 step buttons. The respective patterns step
button will light up.
Patterns can be selected while the sequencer is running.
If the XBase gets Midi-Programm-Change orders, the patterns are changed.
Pressing the START button causes the sequencer to play the pattern from its beginning. To stop
the sequencer, press STOP/CONT. Pressing STOP/CONT again will make it continue playing
back from the point where STOP/CONT was last pressed.
5.2 Selecting Drum kits
Pressing the UP/DOWN buttons selects a drum kit. In the ROM-section are 100 already
programmed drumkits stored. The display reads r00 to r99.
By stepping over r99, hitting the UP-button, you reach the RAM-section. The display now reads
f00. When you are on kit r00 (ROM 00), you reach RAM-kit 99 by hitting the DOWN-button
(now display reads f99 ).
You can select a new drum kit while the sequncer is running.
The Hihat sample - select function (see pattern functions) can be used here to trigger other
samples for closed or open hihat and for editing the hihat section's sound parameters.
5.3 Creating and storing your custom drumkits
Select a drum kit you want to edit or an empty drum kit memory slot and set the parameters for
bass drum, snare drum and hihat.
The dot in the display indicates that the selected drum kit has been edited and not yet stored.
To store an edited kit, press the SHIFT button and select the "Store Kit" function (step button 8).
Select the memory slot where you want to store the kit by using the UP/DOWN buttons. Press
ENTER to store the kit to that memory slot. Press SHIFT to abort. To edit ROM-kits you don`t
like, you have to copy the kit you want to change into the RAM-section like described above.

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5.4 Recording patterns in Perform Write mode
To get into PERFORM WRITE mode, press the WRITE button while in PERFORM mode (PERF
is lit).
In perform write mode you can record patterns. You can either step - program patterns or play and
record instruments in real time with the aid of the real time write function (see REAL TIME
WRITE).
Sound parameter changes can NOT be recorded in PERFORM WRITE mode!
You can set the pattern’s time signature by setting its scale and length (Last Step). See also
"Pattern functions".
All empty patterns default to scale = 16, last step = 16. This means that the pattern has the time
signature 4/4 and consists of 16 steps each with a length of 1/16
th
note.
Patterns that are longer than 16 steps occupy two or more pattern memory slots. To edit the steps
after 16 in a 24 step pattern, increase the pattern number by 1 with the UP/DOWN buttons.
Decreasing the pattern number by 1 with the UP/DOWN buttons changes back to the first 16
steps.
Select the instrument you want to play or edit by pressing one of the instrument buttons labelled
BASS DRUM, SNARE DRUM, CLOSED HIHAT ans OPEN HIHAT. BASS DRUM is selected
automatically when the WRITE button is pressed.
The 16 step buttons light up at the steps where the selected instrument is playing. Pressing a lit
step button switches its light off and mutes the selected instrument at that step.
You can press any step button while the sequncer is running to switch it on or off. Use the
instrument buttons to quickly switch between the three instrument tracks.
If you press the ACCENT button, the 16 step buttons will indicate at which step the selected
instrument is played with an accent. Press the step buttons to switch the accentuation of
individual steps on or off. Press the ACCENT button repeatedly to switch between an instrument
track and its accent track. The ACCENT knob adjusts the strength of the accent (see also sound
generation).
Note: There is only one ACCENT track for the hihat section, because open hihat and closed hihat
can never sound at the same time.
In this mode you have direct control over each instrument’s sound by means of the sound control
knobs. The pattern sequencer serves only to trigger the selected Perform kits 0 - 99. The selection
is displayed as “F xx” (xx = Perform Kit number). For further details see "Perform Mode" section