A buddy kindly loaned me his Rytm MK2 to try out. I am trying to look at other options coming out like the Pulsar (very expensive!), Erica Synths Drum machine, and Jomox Alpha base for a mobile drum synth. Right now I have the Jomox bass drum eurorack module and love it as it hits super hard for modular bass kick drums. Thoughts?
I’ve owned a RYTM MK1, MK2, Alpha Base, and TR-8S. The one I still have in my studio is the RYTM MK2.
I really wanted to love the Alpha Base. It has the best kick I’ve heard outside of the OG 909 or 808 and it’s a beautiful piece of kit.
However, I never gelled with MBrane or the FM engines, and in general I found the OS to be super clunky. Things that are pretty trivial on the RYTM, like p-locks, pattern length, assigning FX sends etc. required jumps through multiple hoops on the Alpha Base.
That said, it’s the most solidly built drum machine I’ve ever seen, and the kick and sample channels sound fantastic. I’ll probably pick up an MBase at some point, I liked the kick that much.
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The alpha bass will include a bass drum similar to what you have. The snare synth I do not like at all. Very odd. The rest are sample based and sound really good but the sample management isn’t great. The sequencer is pretty cool, but only includes 4 banks for patterns. Can’t remember if you could store more or not. I sold mine and currently have a machindrum uw+…
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yea that is what has me on the fence about the Jomox AB machine. The Erica Synths Sonic potion drum machine looks cool for the money. For what a Rytm or Jomox AB cost, one can get the Erica Synths LXR2 and a Digitakt machine.
I’d do something like that. You already have the crème de la crème from Jomox. So I’d be fine with Digitakt.
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agree- tanzibar v2 looks good if they ever sell them again online
the best drum machine is the ability to mix all drum machines. so…a sampler. but even better is a drum machine that runs samples through an analog filter, distortion and VCA. and has a solid OS and user experience. so… the RYTM. oh and it has analog sounds in there too!
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Well, some people don’t like the samples running through analog filters, distortion and VCA.
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What is important to you?
Live tweaking your drum sounds?
Memory to save kits?
Number of instruments?
Individal Outs?
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Bummer sad news about the founder of MFB. Hopefully the son can continue making them.
Why not read what’s already on the forum?
https://www.elektronauts.com/search?q=alpha%20base
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Ok so a buddy loaned me his Rytm MK2 so I am going to spend time with that drum machine before I make a decision. It helps me avoid GAS for now. The upcoming Erica Synths Sonic Potions LXR-02 digital drum box looks fun and half the price of the Jomox and Rytm.
live tweaking mobile drum synth perfect for techno and house beats. I know it is generic response.
I like live tweaking aswell, also i want to be able to detune a ride and change the decay of a snare at the same time.
You know, without switching Pages
Maybe look at the TR8-s.
then don’t get an Alpha Base (or XBase) either! 
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Probably not.
I like my experiences so far with the Rytm MK2 as a friend loaned me his and I am taking it for a test drive and to see if it fits my drum machine needs.
I saw that you finally got an AB mk2! Congratz!
I hope if you can share your experience with us… im thinking of getting one myself so any feedback would be appreciated! 
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Hi Castor!
Yes, it came this week and so far I really love it! It has some quirks but in many ways the Jomox Alphabase MK2 is way easier to get a track cooking with amazing house, trance and techno beats. What I really love about the Jomox Alphabase MK2 is the one knob per function and not too many combos to memorize and the sequencer is super easy to use. I found coming from Elektron gear that the Jomox is simple to program. Plus it has massive sound! Love my Rytm MK2 but the Jomox sounds very polished with little effort. I will post some clips and videos once I get some more time with it. I think Rytm is better for experimental stuff and Jomox excels on dance EDM style music. I can do entire live sets with the Jomox in minutes. I loved the eurorack Jomox module in my setup so knew it would be great.
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