Question for DB-01 owners. I used to own one and dont remember this happening, but on the new unit i just got the frequency cut-off does weird things when turned all the way down (counterclockwise), once i pass the 10’oclock zone it goes from producing low frequencies to making a subtle saw tooth sound all the way to being fully closed. then when i open the filter up, once i pass the 10’oclock zone it kicks in with the louder bass sound it should have. I remember being able to do full filter sweeps that were seamless, but this doesnt sound right. totally drops all low frequencies past 9. Is this normal behavior?
Richard DeHove was kind enough to school me on this subject
Yes, that’s totally normal and not as weird as it seems at first. If you turn the main filter all the way down, but turn the Envelope amount all the way up and set a very short filter decay then you get a satisfying initial filter hit. Another version is to set an interesting LFO rate then turn the main filter down and the LFO amount past 12 o’clock. Again an interesting effect, especially if you then add in plenty of resonance as well. So yes, just by itself it seems like dead dial space but it’s really pretty useful.
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This is useful info. Thanks for sharing it.
What are the outer dimensions of the DB-01?
There’s probably a site with this information but I happen to have measuring tape and a DB-01 sitting on my desk. All measurements hurriedly eyeballed before I step out the door…
Width: 9in / 23cm
Depth: 5.5in / 13.5cm
Height (chassis): 2in / 5cm
Height (to top of highest knob) 2.5in / 6.5cm
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@ElectroNot Sadly I couldn’t find any measurements, neither on store pages nor on the erica synth website and even in the manual. So thank you very much!
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Hi DB-01 users, not sure if this is the right place to ask but I’ll try it !
Am currently contemplating getting this synth, but I mostly sequence my synths using the elektron midi sequencer, due to either lack of onboard seq or clunkyness of the 303 type sequencer.
This leads to two questions that I have issues finding an answer online :
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Can you program a slide in the elektron midi seq like you do with other 303 (ie the 1st note’s length overlaps the second note’s start and it slides from 1st note to 2nd note) ?
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The onboard DB-01 seq seems very usable, with modulation track and pitch enveloppe, is this something that can be programmed over midi or is it internal only ?
Thank you very much in advance for your answers
The DB-01 MIDI implementation is fairly basic. Note off/on and velocity, but no CCs, and program change was a late addition. As far as I know, you can’t access slide, accent, mod, or pitch envelope via MIDI. But the sequencer is pretty usable, so you may not miss this as much.
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thank you for your quick answer !
Your recommendation would be to use the onboard seq and use program change to navigate between patterns rather than to offload the sequencing to the Elektron gear, right ?
Info about the midi implementation is pretty limited online, sadly
You are missing a lot when not using the DB-sequencer. I found it fairly deep and easy to use, compared to an OG 303-seq.
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Yes, you should use the onboard sequencer. It is similar to an Elektron sequencer, though not nearly as comprehensive. If I’d never used an Elektron box, I think I would be quite happy with it.
I know what you mean about the scarcity of information. The PDF manual isn’t even searchable!
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Exactly !
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Thank you homies, I’ll watch more videos about the program change feature now, happy music making !
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The sequencer is what really makes the DB stand out as an amazing device, IMO. Once you start using it you might not ever think about using an outboard sequencer again. (The only exception might be if you want to trigger arps, as the DB’s arp functionality is pretty limited).
One of the most powerful features is the customizable randomization function, which can create nice-sounding patterns that are all in scale, have a defined note density, fall into a certain range, throw in pitch envelopes, and other attributes.
Richard Dehove’s videos are essential watching for mastering randomization (and other features): Erica Synths DB-01: Advanced randomization - YouTube
I really can’t recommend the DB enough. It’s amazing!
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Richard DeHove’s channel is a treasure trove of practical DB-01 insights.
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Yeah I found Richard’s channel when looking for some answers and as an in-depth how to, this gave me a good idea on how to program the device and its range.
For a performance usage standpoint however, I wanna make sur eit fits perfectly my elektron setup, hence why I was considering using the elektron midi seq and why I wanna make sure how solid the program change implementation is
Edit : this thread has a good amount of info, for anyone looking : Pattern Change Info from AR to DB01 Bassline
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Having had a DB-01, I can confirm the sequencer has many interesting options:
- Per step p-lock à la Elektron
- Play direction options (normal, reverse, random, ping-pong and ping-pong with 1st and last step repeat.
- Polymeric
- Key quantize
Like Elektron machines, it is its strength.
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I’m defo gonna use its onboard sequencer after reading all of those replies.
I’m still on the fence due to the program change implementation which seems not so robust and not so well documented sadly.
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Some great sounds in here.
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