JoMoX built the Xbase 999 around a philosophy that still feels radical today: hybrid synthesis where analog circuits handle the character and digital control handles the precision, without one compromising the other. Released in 2005, this drum machine became a studio staple for producers who wanted genuine analog punch without sacrificing workflow.
The Xbase 999 gives you nine instruments—kick, snare, hi and low toms, hi-hat, clap, rim shot, crash, and ride—with the first four built from discrete analog circuitry and the remaining five using 8-bit samples processed through individual analog VCA envelopes. The real magic is in the engineering: JoMoX integrated D/A converters directly into the circuit design to minimize latency between parameter changes and actual sound output, meaning your edits happen almost instantaneously. The centerpiece is the X-filter, a stereo 2-pole multimode filter offering lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and notch modes that can run in series, parallel, or stereo configuration with independent control over cutoff, Q, and resonance per channel. You get two LFOs that sync to tempo or run freely, assignable to any parameter, plus a 16-step sequencer with per-step parameter locking on all voices and dedicated sequencer tracks for filter control. The interface uses 16 endless rotary encoders with 3-color LEDs showing which parameters are editable, a 2x24 character LCD, and 128 available patterns across four banks. Individual outputs for each instrument plus stereo mix and headphone out give you routing flexibility, while MIDI in/out/thru and four programmable MIDI tracks let you trigger external gear.
The Xbase 999 earned respect in the community for its sound quality and deep editing capabilities, though some found the menu-diving necessary for certain tasks less immediate than the hands-on approach. It remained in production until 2015 and continues to hold value among producers who appreciate the combination of analog warmth and sequencer sophistication it delivers.
