Hello, 'naut friends! I need an opinion!
I’ve been thinking for some time about getting a new drum machine or drum synthesizer. I thought it might be time for an analog machine this time! I’ve always preferred digital machines, having had a Machinedrum before (and also a Monomachine), but I’ve heard two machines that I really liked, which are the Vermona DRM-1 and Jomox Alpha Base. I currently have a Syntakt and Octatrack mk2 that I could use as sequencers for the Vermona, and I can also use a computer for that, no problem. I know that the Alpha Base has only two fully analog channels, but it’s not all about the oscillators since most of the other channels are hybrid with analog VCA envelopes (the best I’ve heard so far) and analog filters, both of which are even more important then the oscillators imo. Besides, the mk2 will also have analog panning. I want to say that the Alpha Base sounds incredibly good in demo videos, and the same goes for the Vermona, which sounds punchy and dynamic. Generally, I’m a fan of Elektron gear, but I’m not a big fan of the sound of Elektron’s analog machines. I have a Syntakt and I love it, but the analog part could sound much better. I even sold my Analog Heat mk2 because i didn’t like the sound. Everything else is top-notch! Besides the mentioned Syntakt and Octatrack mk2, I also have a Digitone, OB-6, Hydrasynth, and SP404 mk2, and my music ranges from experimental industrial noise, through drone ambient, to electro and techno.
What’s your recommendation, Vermona DRM-1 mkIV vs Jomox Alpha Base mkII?
Thanks!
The big differences between these two are modulations, sequencer and FXs and of course, the price.
Just be subjective! 
A or B?
the Vermona. only because Jomox are not a great company. I’ve read plenty of horror stories of him being a jerk to customers. in my personal experience, he just never returned repeated customer support emails. also if you like Elektron sequencers, be ready to see the other side of the coin. Jomox are unintuitive and buggy. not a fan.
I’ve always been tempted by the DRM1. It’s not the case for the Alpha Base.
Ufff that sounds awful! The only way id buy it is from Thomann then, if that would help. Thnx!
I’ll said vermona is a no brainer. The trigger version.
Thank you for the information. I was considering getting one of his products but after your post and additional reading I decided to do myself a favor and avoid it.
I own the Jomox Alpha base. The best sounding drum machine I’ve ever owned. Yea the sequencer is not the best but I sequence it externally with absolutely no issues. It’s a deep machine with a steep learning curve if you want to get into experimental side things, particularly the Mbrane and FM synth. The filters on the sample base tracks are also very deep and can self oscillate and sound incredible. I love this machine.
I second that… absolutely fat sounding drum machine and sampler… and the sequencer is as straightforward as they come… don’t find it buggy at all , simple , effective and funky as hell !
Vermona DRM1 mk3 was my first instrument and I love it, it sounds fat and gorgeous! I use it with machinedrum so it works nice. For me is a set and forget machine, I tweak the voices rarely because I found that some days it sounds amazing and some days nothing comes out of it.
BD Clap and HH are my favorite voices, Toms are also nice and with a nice wide palette, SN and Multi are my least favorites but it’s all a matter of taste in that regard.
Out of the two, I would go with the Alpha Base. It has more room for experimentation and plays back user samples with a lovely crunch when you mess with the pitch. You get a lovely rich Jomox reverb as well. And a delay. The kick drum module is excellent, the MBrane is a complex goldmine and the FM Drum is flexible but a bastard to program!
The DRM-1 is much cheaper though and with a soundcard that has multiple inputs for the voices, you could do a lot in a hybrid setup for a lot less than the Alpha Base.
Also check out the T-Resonator for adding lots of Jomox charm to external gear. One of my favourite effects, it has oodles of charm.
And the Jomox MBase11 is a great way to have the Alpha Base kick module without owning the full unit. That plus a DRM-1 would be killer.
Have you ever needed to contact the owner of Jomox, and if so, what was your experience like? Have you also heard that some people had negative experiences with repair services or similar?
TBH I wouldn’t want to spend 2000 euros on a drum machine and then have issues with repair services!
I’ve heard Jürgen can be a bit prickly with people, but I’ve had no direct experience with him.
I’m thinking of sending him an email where I would introduce myself as a representative of the Nigerian Church of Scientology, inviting him to join our society, and if he responds politely and friendly, I’ll conclude that I can buy the drum machine from him! 
What do you think?
Yes, I mentioned that in the initial post. I know that the first two channels are fully analog, while the next six channels play samples, but they not only have analog filters but also a VCA with analog envelopes. In the MK2, even the panning will be analog. In my opinion, all of this is important, especially if it sounds good, and from what I’ve been able to hear on YouTube, it sounded fantastic.
Yeah, sorry. Read that a bit later.
I think it’s just over-marketed a bit as analog drum machine.
Maybe, but I still haven’t heard a single sampler or rompler that sounds this good. I don’t know what they did, but those analog envelopes and analog filters sound absolutely sweet!
IMO, there are too few posts about these two drum machines/synths on this forum.
The Alpha Base does very special stuff to samples, especially when pitching down and playing with the LFO.
No, I bought the AB used and never ran into any issues.