Another jam with the Bassline, in a more conventional role here 
!!!
Tracker + Bassline + 0-Coast + Intellijel “Megatlantis” in Squarepusher mode for this one
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Got to test drive a DB-01 loaned by @lesstalkmoredisco. I love the sound! Clearly tuned for a gritty, heavy bass tone. Great stuff.
Especially the sub osc cranked up, without any drive added yet, already sounds beautifully thick.
Synthesis parameters are limited but some smart solutions there, the 3-knob envelope controls for example: very effective. No patch memory but given the directness of the interface I don’t think that 's an issue (except perhaps for the LFO settings which are menu divey).
The mono synth comparison material I have here is a Circuit Mono Station, which i will remind you all again is very underrated, awesome little synth. Advantages of the CMS are the more elaborate synthesis controls, 2nd osc, ADSR, 12/24db filter, mod matrix and more advanced sequencer. Between it’s overdrive and 3 distortion modes there’s much latitude to roughen things up. And it has a beautiful, smooth clean sound as well. I was able to get the CMS to sound pretty close to the Bassline in many instances. But the Bassline can’t do the clean smooth sounds that the CMS can, nor its 2-osc sounds.
That said, the Bassline is really excellent at that thick overdriven sound. It takes more work on a synth like the CMS to get there, and the interface is a bit less direct. It’s also double the size.
Doing such comparison makes me re-appreciate the CMS once again. I wouldn’t trade it for the Bassline or don’t find enough difference for justifying having both. But if I didn’t have a CMS I’d be very very tempted to get the Bassline, as its sound is very very good for the techno that I like.
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Oh yes: one big omission! The lack of volume knob. Really don’t like that.
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I did not have a CMS 
I just love that DB-01
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They’re really good , especially mine which is quite cheap and for sale.
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Man I already have one, I saw your ad and her sexy pics,
it is superb, if I had had the money available I think I would have tried a duo.
https://www.elektronauts.com/t/fs-uk-erica-synth-db-01-350/167003
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Plus the latest update addresses my one and biggest issue with the DB-01 sequencer: Allowing you to rotate the sequence.
Aka if the otherwise great random sequence function doesn’t land on the perceived one/start of the sequence, you can shift it around like we’re used to with our Elektrons.
Haven’t tried it yet, as my DB-01 is currently helping @dtr rekindle with his Monostation;)
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Thanks for pointing this out! I dread firmware updates on this unit, though, as the mechanism seems so fraught…
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Such a cool sequencer. Random pattern generation should be added to all elektrons
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Updated to 1.08 without any issues 
Rotation of the sequence is indeed a top notch add-on to the random function pattern.
Also added is a selection of various time sync divisions for the LFO.
Had a lot of fun last night with DFAM, DT and and DB-01.
Lack of presets is not an issue as immediate sound sculpting is hands on.
I wanted a dedicated bass synth and that thing is blowing everything I have heard/seen so far.
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I think the LFO settings were added in 1.07.
I thought the update had messed my unit up, it was making a persistent weird noise and the sequencer didn’t work. Eventuallly I remembered to (1) turn the clock back to internal from external where I had it the last time I used it, and (2) turn the FM LVL knob back down to zero from where I had it to set the input level for the update. Sometimes I can be a bit dense.
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I had mine on 1.00 since receiving it.
Update went flawlessly as well
I wanted to upgrade my bassline to 1.08 but the process crashed
(once at 64, once at 128, after the “static sibilant pauses”).
I had a CRC error message, then SYN error while trying again.
The machine no longer starts except in DFU mode…
I tried to “reinstall” the 1.07, same errors.
I tested with VLC media player and with Wavelab LE 10 under Windows 10.
As a result, the machine no longer starts, the screen lights up briefly at power on then goes out and the VCA ENV led briefly at power off.
And this even after a “rest” off power.
Sending a ticket to Erica…
Intense stress, the 1.07 had succeeded without any worries,
the impression that the machine is just dead.
I retested by adjusting the volume several times, and it worked!
I’m waiting for Erica’s response to tell them that I disturbed them for nothing.
Stress free now. Acidattack for the entire night.
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Sorry to hear you had difficulties. This is the kind of thing I dread, especially with a procedure as unusual as this one.
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I don’t think I’ve ever owned a mono synth with a volume knob. Neither the MFB Nanozwerg or Doepfer MS404 have one.
I don t see why mono synths should be exempt of this: all synths must have a volume knob!
Also, the 2 mono synths i have/had do have one.
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Looking at the monosynths around me:
SH-1 - yes
MC-202 - yes
MFB Dominion Club - phones output only, requires dial to select and then adjust.
MFB Synth Lite II - only per osc
MFB Kraftzwerg II - yes, on VCA
Volca Modular - yes
Volca Bass - yes
Monotribe - yes
MS-20M - yes
Lifeforms SV-1 - yes
0-Coast - yes
Nyx - yes
Erebus - yes
Rocket - phones only
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There is a volume control.
(Shift+Config and Select->VOL)
However it is a bit slow.
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I really do think the lack of volume knob is a conscious decision, as the DB01 goes Eurorack loud. Can you imagine the amount of damage that could be done cranking the volume knob through headphones. Much safer to make it a pain in the arse to deafen yourself.
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Exactly. When I switch from square to triangle wave or crank up the drive I want to be able to level the output in a heartbeat. Not menu dive.
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