Jomox XBASE 09 Operating Manual
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Software Version 2.09
)
Page 2 XBase 09 Operating Manual
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
6.2 Pattern Write Mode (recording patterns) 21
6.3 Recording sound changes in Pattern Write Mode 21
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
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
XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 3
Page 4 XBase 09 Operating Manual
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 analog ancestors, but surpasses it by opening an even larger scope of sound
potential, adding modern control technology to the great sounding true analog sound production.
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 that you have right in front of you
now. The Xbase09 is more than just a drum machine because it is capable of closing the gap
between "noisy" percussive sounds and more "tonal" sounds.
Its most interesting features are:
3 instruments or rather monophonic sound generators,
namely kick drum, snare drum and
hihat with greatly enhanced sound forming parameters. Crazy kick drums, noisy snares and hihat
modulations (including reversed playback) that the classic TR 909 was never able to 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 discreetly built digital to analog converters. This
technology 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 factory 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 thus having the potential for complex
song programming.
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 unique 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. The notes are sent via Midi to control up to three
different outboard sound sources like a synth, another drum machine or whatsoever. Notes and
length is controlled easily by the knobs on the XBase09 front panel. (See V2-Update!)
The internal sequencer provides immediate sound and tone control for each instrument on each
sequencer step without any of the 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 its instruments are played by a remote MIDI sequencer.
XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 5
2. CONNECTING THE XBASE 09
Before you connect the Xbase09 to any other device, you should always switch off all the
connected devices.
2.1 Back Panel
You will find the following connections on the Xbase09's Back Panel:
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2.2 Power Supply
Insert the wall wart power supply that is 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. In case
you do 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 1.5 amperes.
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 mono MIX output which outputs the
mix of the audio signals of all instruments as long there are no plugs inserted into one of the
individual outputs. Those jacks have a switch that cuts the signal from the mix out when a plug is
inserted.
Individual outputs are provided for the bass drum, the snare drum and the hihat section. Connect
the required outputs to your mixer's inputs with 1/4" jack plug cables.
Page 6 XBase 09 Operating Manual
2.4 MIDI Connections
2.4.1 MIDI In
The Xbase09 can be controlled by (and be synchronized 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 with a standard MIDI cable.
2.4.3 MIDI Thru
MIDI data received at the XBase09's MIDI In is unchanged led through to 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 lets you sync a TB or TR machine to the
Xbase09. The clock triggers are set very precisely to the Xbase09's internal timing. The XBase09
also ouputs the clock triggers if it is midi syncing to another clock master.
You can synchronise sequencers, drum machines
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(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 Sync 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 (true 5pin cables). Some
specialized MIDI cables don't, because they only provide the MIDI pins which are pins 5 and 4
which are not used here.
XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 7
3.0 Quick start guide
Turn the 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 factory sample patterns 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 the tempo, hold the ACCENT button pressed down and turn the Tempo/Data
knob (on the right of the machine). The Tempo knob has been locked in order to avoid
unwanted tempo changes.
By using the Up/Down buttons you can change patterns while the machine is playing.
To learn more about how the Xbase is working on the sounds, 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 be synced to Midi).
You may come across patterns that are 32 steps long and occupy two pattern spaces indicated by
2 lighted neighboured pattern leds. To move past these patterns once you've listened to them
simply hit the Up/Down key again 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.). Tweak 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 to be explored best in the Pattern context that is
described below.
While the machine is playing, you can hear different preprogrammed „drum kits" by simply
hitting the Up/Down keys. Also you can change the Patterns you want to listen to just by hitting
one of the buttons labeled 1 to 16, even while the machine is playing. To switch „drum kits"
while listening to this new pattern, simply hit the Up/Down keys. There are 100 ROM kits
preprogrammed in the machine. They are stored in the memory spaces
r00
to
r99
.
Page 8 XBase 09 Operating Manual
3.3 To program patterns into the XBase-09 (the real fun!)
Now that's where the real fun starts:
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 program the Bass Drum track.
Pressing one of the different 16 red step Buttons will play the respective step when the sequencer
comes across this step. 1, 5, 9 and 13 will give you a Bass Drum hit on every quarter note. For our
Pattern example, hit 1, 5, 8, 9, 11, 14 and 16.
Now hit the Snare Drum pad (the led next to it flashes, telling you the machine is ready to
program the snare track). Now hit the step Buttons where you would like the snare to play. (For
this pattern, press notes 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16)
Hit the Closed Hi Hat pad (led flashes), and choose where you want it to play (try 7, 11, 15),
Now that Kick, Snare and Hat are playing, set their individual volumes at 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 leave the
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.
Press the Bass Drum pad and hold it down, and press the „Write" button at the same time(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 all steps of the Pattern (track
record mode). Hit the „Write" button once to deselect it. Hit it again so that the Write light is on,
but not blinking. We do this in order to change the sound of INDIVIDUAL Bass Drum notes, as
opposed to ALL of them.
XBase 09 Operating Manual Page 9
Press the Bass Drum pad and -while holding it down- press the „Note #1" button once to deselect
it, then once again so that it is recording (Note #1 light flashing = individual step edit mode).
Note that the Kick sound on Note #1 is different. Again, use the controls to alter the sound of the
Kick on Note #1. Try lengthening 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 Snare Drum by turning down the Bass and Hi 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 counterclockwise (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 its highest pitch.
You can practice this until you get a good performance. 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 to leave
the record mode! Your tweaking „performance" is now stored in the Pattern! (If you don't like
your performance, hit the Write button, then push the Snare Drum pad again and -while holding 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 its 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, Decay, Noise Tune and Detune knobs all the way down. Now the snare sounds like a
cowbell! Hit Note button 11 twice to leave record mode, 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 leave record mode.
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.
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
Page 10 XBase 09 Operating Manual
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 11
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)
)
Page 12 XBase 09 Operating Manual
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