What is your assessment of the DRM1 compared to the machines in the AR? I have ARmk2 but I’ve always fancied the Vermona aswell but wonder if it’s too much overlap.
I’ve never had or tried the AR, i’ve only heard it in demos online but i do have ST that shares some similarities with the AR. IMO there’s very little overlap between those two machines/synths. Best would be to use them together imo. You could use the Vermona as a sound source that provides samples to your AR; that’s mostly how i use it with OT. TBH i’m not a big fan of AR/ST analog sounds; much prefer Vermona, which shines when it is sampled with a capable sampler-sequencer. Vermona’s voices seem simple/limited at first but they’re actually very versatile, especially when you stack more voices in sound design.
Ah sorry my brain saw AR on your list! Thanks for the feedback 
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Definitely sounds less monstrous 
. Nice vibe btw!
Still not sure if the whole machine or just an mbase module would be a good fit.
Does loading your own samples work on the AB?
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i am flip flopping about getting the alphabase mk1 - now i think i want it…aghagha help…fuck it i got one… if its shit i can sell it for what i paid for it - if its the holy grail of tone that people say it is then i have done good…arriving tomorrow
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i read that they have to be mono - apparently once you play your samples through the analog circuits theres no going back
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Thanks for the kind words! I have never loaded any samples onto the AB, but I really like the sampled sounds already loaded into the machine. Come for the kicks, stay for the awesome other sounds! Honestly the only part I struggle to use in a mix is the MBrane.
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Im thinking that loading Vermona DRM-1 samples would be something special!
Im close to buying an Alpha Base now! So close!
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“The format is RAW/WAV mono 16 Bit / 48kHz”
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Here’s another taste of AB MK1. This is a live jam on AB and Implexus, all sequencing with Hapax (I only use AB with Hapax). Hope you enjoy!
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thanks buddy - audacity can make things mono and wav - not heard of raw tho…
it just arrived and as soon as i plugged it in and pressed play i understood what all the fuss is about - sounds freakin amazeballs earjizzcandy blah blah
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Now i can finally buy an AB 
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The samples I recorded from a XBase888 all have a special character, but I couldn’t get it to accept my own sounds. Bummer realy! Thats why I was wondering it rhe workflow on the AB works smoothly.
i couldn’t tell you that yet - i am still exploring the factory content
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it makes nice tuned toms - the samples sound very fat and musical to my ears - does anybody know why? reminds me of an mpc60
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Not sure about the why and how beyond what it says on the box, but yeah the AB just sounds sweet.
Had mine few months now, doing series of sketches with the Analog Four MK2 as a way to feel both machines out, link below if curious.
Five sketches up so far, current one working one is more focused on melodies from the A4,
Anyway just sharing if curious about some (mostly) raw Alpha sounds
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Compared to the 888 (999) sample transfer is much easier.
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Lovely! It reminded me of a track that I hadn’t heard in yeeeaaars, and it took me an hour to remember it lol, but i got it! It’s Geometry by Jega.
Is it difficult to program the AB vs A4?
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(looks like I’ve got two accounts and didn’t realize, I posted the video as meintime from my phone)
Cheers - Yeah I can hear it. Man haven’t listened to Jega in years, that whole Geometry album is good and spooky.
Programming the AB vs A4,
Overall the A4 is easier, it’s the Elektron way. You catch on quick. This goes for sound design of patches and the sequencer.
The sequencing on the AB is straightforward. Chain function works well for live switching (happens automatically vs waiting until pattern ends).
Sound design on the AB is bit weird, the Jomox parameters are unique and different for some of the sounds (kick, mbrane, samples).
Truth of it is, the AB needs less tweaking because it sounds so good, but for sure I edit here and there.
The A4 is sorry to say probably the least impressive sounding synthesizer I’ve ever owned, out of the box, that being said there’s plenty of ways to “design” and the overall abilities of the A4 are fantastic, as an Analog groove machine.
Really enjoying the two together,
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I’ve been thinking for a long time about buying or at least trying the Alpha Base! I’ve always liked how it sounds and how it handles samples. Right now, my favorite drum machines are the LXR-02 and the DRM-1, and I have both, but the issue with the first one is that it’s sometimes too much what it is, a digital machine, while the second one is also, at times, too analog, and it’s hard to step outside its design boundaries in terms of sound design. Plus, the Vermona is just a synth without a sequencer.
Alpha Base seems like the best of both worlds. I don’t like the synth sound of the Analog Rytm (same goes for the A4) and I already have a Syntakt, which completely satisfies my need for the Elektron percussive sound, even more than necessary. However, what’s holding me back the most from buying the Alpha Base is the fact that I bought a Digitone 2, and I think it’s the best thing Elektron currently offers. It almost perfectly meets my needs for a groovebox and a drum machine. Almost.
Still, the Alpha Base keeps pulling me in! I’ll most likely end up buying it, even if just to try it out, hoping I won’t like it! 
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