Each of the four digital instrument voices can play back one of four sampled variations: 808, 909, CR78 and JMX (the JMX variations are samples of real sounds, not beat boxes). The Hi Hat, Clap, Rim Shot, Crash and Ride cymbals are all generated digitally and stored in ROM as 8 bit samples. The AiRBase99 doesn't use any new fangled analogue modelling techniques for its analogue, sounds instead it relies on tried and tested authentic discreet analogue circuitry under digital control, allowing for some impressive and powerful dynamics. I know, it's happened to me.Īs hinted at above the percussion sounds are divided pretty equally into analogue and digital types with the Kick Drum, Snare Drum, High and Low Toms all being analogue. I wish manufactures would stop using AC/AC adaptors, don't they know how difficult it is to track down a replacement (compared to a regular AC to DC adaptor) during a sound check on a wet afternoon in the middle of a nowhere, they're not the sort of item your average Tandy or Dixon stock.
Disappointingly (considering how much space is available internally) the AiRBase99 uses a bulky external 12v AC/AC adaptor. The rear is an altogether busier affair with jack sockets for audio left and right mix output, 10 individual audio outputs, MIDI in, out and thru and AC power in. The front panel is pretty sparse with just a power switch, 6 small illuminated push buttons (MASTER, EDIT,PLAY/MIDI,ENTER, 2 x CURSOR), a continuous data knob, an illuminated 2-line 32 digit LCD, a volume control and a headphones socket. This is a nicely constructed, substantial unit (19" x 10") and being made from steel is quite heavy for its size. You win some, you loose some.Īs you can see from the accompanying photo the AiRBase99 is housed in a 1U rack module. However it's missing the plethora of knobs and rhythm pattern features of the X-Base 09. The AiRBase99 also features additional percussion voices and samples, modulation LFO's and an increased memory of 500 preset ROM kits and 1024 User RAM kits. But one of the most obvious differences is that the AiRBase99 is capable of playing back nine percussion voices simultaneously (Kick Drum, Snare Drum, High and Low Toms, Hi Hat, Clap, Rim Shot, Crash and Ride cymbals), as opposed to the X-Base 09's measly 3-voice polyphony. The majority of the AiRBase99 sounds are derived from the earlier TR808/909 inspired X-Base 09 (SOS June 1997) and have almost identical audio characteristics, the Kick and Snare drums in particular are said to 100% the same as the X-Base 09. It's described by Jomox as both a drum machine and a drum synthesiser but the latter is a more accurate description of this MIDI controlled hybrid analogue/digital drum expander module. But times are changing and Berlin based Jomox are back with a new distributor and a brand new (ish) product.
Jomox have always had a fairly low UK profile and their wonderful little beat box, the X-Base 09, never really fulfilled it's full potential and instead became something of a cult item rather than achieving the widespread success it could have.
JOMOX AirBase99 MIDI ANALOGUE DRUM EXPANDER (see also: JOMOX XBase 09 review) "Minimal & Tech House Drums" quite simply is a must-have for modern music producers, with over 1,000 innovative sounds from a drum library you can rely on.An edited version of this text also appears in