Hi,

I’m interested in this drum machine
It’s going to replace my Mbase11

I’ve a question for those who own and use it..
Il the BD in the Alpha Base the same as the one in the Mbase11? Same sound and parameters?
Also is the Mbrane the same as the Mbrane module?

Thanks

No, different, Alpha Base Owner here, never used the other, but I think the Alpha Base Goes Further, I read (here in this thread) that they differ.

I was not refering to the Mbrane btw, don't know about that.

Btw twice I've had this thing go bricky since I've had it, installing the latest firmware fixed it both occasions.

Thank you
Are you telling me that the kick engine in the Alpha Base is more advanced than the one in the Mbase11? More parameters, more control? And a better sound?

More, I think, not sure more of what, haven't used the modules, I'm sure it's in this thread the guy that answered someone who asked a similar question.

Alphabase
- no lfo one shot
- no lfo sync toggle, it is always synched
+ extra digital pitch envelope
+ custom lfo shapes

There maybe some minor difference in sound, I don’t recall, if so it wasn’t enough to matter to me. Mbrane on the Alphabase has shortcut templates for rapid patching in the later firmwares. Not sure if that feature was added to the standalone. Mbrane on the Alphabase can do thuddy kicks for a different flavor.

I also have the modbase09 which is the mbase11 with cv control of various parameters, I haven’t noticed a difference sound wise.

Ok, thanks guys

My idea is to replace mi Mbrane 11 with the Alpha Base (without losing anything in sound) and make advantage of its engine to shape sounds and record them in my daw, maybe even simple rhythm patterns. Then reorganize everything in the grid.

Is it too much of a waste for this simple use case ?

Well, it’s a drum machine that you program rhythms and patterns into using the step sequencer (at least I do) but of course it can be used as a sound module and triggered by midi. Or sampled and programmed in a daw yes.

Sound quality from it is superb I must say.

Only issue I’ve had with it was the power supply plug didn’t quite seat in the socket deeply enough and it would sometimes power off if jogged. So I sliced off a few mm of plastic from the plug to allow the socket better contact and problem solved.

Oh yeah I wish the LEDs could be dimmed a bit - all very Christmassy colours but can be a bit blinding! Not a huge issue just a nice to have.

I use it to create sounds and it does it great. You can even play it chromatically via midi.

Oh I actually always thought it’s first synth where the leds are done right (slightly dimmed and not overly bright). Maybe different version(?)

I have v2

How good is the mbrane engine?

Depends on who you ask. Some love it, others don't. To me it only sounds good in certain sweet spots and even within those sweet spots I don't really love it but that's only me.

So those new RGB LEDs are somewhat too bright? I wonder if Jürgen will add the option to dim them, when he doesn't saw the issue himself already.

v1 here

Just to add to my recent post, I don't know why manufacturers go with those high output clear LEDs in their products. That's plain wrong if you ask me. Maybe if you're a pro and work 9-5 as a producer it's ok (when it's daylight out there) but try to use that gear in the evening/night (as a hobbyst) when it's dark, light's are dimmed, wife is chilling, kids are trying to sleep. It's a no no situation. I hate the RGB light's, there're any in my bedroom. Then there are those bright white LEDs that I hate, too. Waldorf M it is. Is it the German thing, don't know.

What interest me more, and I think many other people, is the sound quality and editing capabilities of the machine.
I had a Perkons but didn’t like it much because of its limitations.
Unfortunately, not many videos about the AB on yt strangely

AB is on the market for at last a few years. MK2 is nothing revolutionary, really. If you haven't found the OG interesting yet, you have nothing to search here.

It's OK, you can get the odd sounding good snares out of it, like a faux 909 etc, it's more for making quirky percussive sounds, I don't rate that part as much as the Kick engine.

Is it the same as the Mbrane 11 module?
I’m asking because that thing is insane

I don't know, never used the modules, I would guess if you like the module you'll like the AB Mbrane. You would be better asking Jomox direct the differences. Anthony Rother around 2020 used it 'mbrane' part of his Alpha Base alot on his tracks, reason I bought one.

Basically yes.

Do you have an example? All I know is that he doesn't like/ use the snares from the MBrane.

He uses Mbrane on some(alot of)tracks in place of a snare, like how a clap can be used, he's so prolific releasing stuff I can never remember the track names, but if you go on his bandcamp and click through you'll hear it.

Just the last up to five albums or so Id say, since Alpha Base came out.

Wondering does Alpha Base has choke groups to let one instrument instantly mute another?

Super useful for techno kick / bass patterns, op/cl hats etc.

Checked manual but found no answer on this...

Nope. Not onboard.

If you really need this, you'd need to take individual OUTs and implement mutes inside a DAW or modular setup. On the bright side, at least you'll discover how much better the individual outs sound when they're not being arbitrarily compressed by AB's own internal mix bus.

Thanks for answer and your thoughts... probably extreme side chain compression on ind outs should do the trick.

Sad it doesn't do chokes : ( but so what, enjoy this on Tempest and other machines.

Sent Jurgen email and asked to think about it for the future fw...

The Alpha Base MK2 added choke groups for hats -

3.1.3.5 HH Choke Mode on/off
Hold (REC Para) + (Encoder 15) click = “HH Choke Mode on/off “
Open hi hat “chokes” or mutes the closed hi hat if they are played on the same step.
This emulates the behaviour of the old Roland TR-909 or the classic XBASE 09/999/888
drum machines, where open and closed hi hat share the same VCA channel but play
different samples. Like on a physical hi hat, the opened wins.