TB-303 Acid Flashback
The Fall and Rise of the TB-303
Author: Oz Owen
Image from ‘Forward to the Past 2′ on PokerFlat Recordings. www.pokerflat-recordings.com
The machine that put a smile on the faces of party people all over the world, without even realizing—the incomparable TB-303 Bass Line.
It’s hard to make a definitive statement these days without kicking off an almighty flame war, but we’re going to make one anyway: the TB-303 is the greatest single-oscillator monosynth of all time, bar none. There, we said it. And you know what? We’re right. Argue all you want. Go on, see where it gets you!
What other monosynth, and single oscillator monosynth at that, has carved such a prominent niche for itself throughout the contemporary landscape of electronic music? What other synth could claim to have such a unique and distinctive feel, capable of creating sound like no other? No one could argue that the electronic music scene would be markedly different today without that little silver box.
The TB-303 (TB standing for “Transistorized Bass”) proudly left the Roland stable in 1981, originally designed to play bass accompaniment for solo guitarists. But notoriously difficult to program and producing a less-than-authentic acoustic sound, the 303 was swiftly relegated to a curiosity in second-hand music stores, where it languished for years—right up until Phuture, a trio of under-funded Chicago musicians, picked one up for a giveaway price and set about experimenting.
What the TB-303 lacked in user-friendliness and authentic bass tones it more than made up for with its quirky idiosyncrasies and insanely over-engineered tweaking potential via the half-dozen, front-panel rotaries. In 1987, Phuture released Acid Trax, a 10-minute squelch-fest that helped define the Acid sound, a sound that would quickly cross the Atlantic to become a pivotal component of 1988′s nascent rave culture that would come to be known as the UK’s very own “Summer of Love.”
See our list of 10 iconic songs made with the TB-303 on POWERON
There are many monosynths, so just what is it that makes the sound of the TB-303 so unique? In many ways, it’s a simple sound that emanates from that mono output; a single oscillator can be switched between a square and saw wave before sculpting with the 24 dB low-pass filter (often misquoted as 18 dB, 3-pole) that can’t even ascend into self-oscillation. For the truly authentic grind that the 303 is capable of, you’ll need one other element—overdrive or distortion. If you have nothing at hand, then overdrive a channel on your desk to add some crunch.
Video published by: alexfox101
Step ‘n’ Slide…
In Roland’s desire to create an instrument that was self-contained (a Roland ethos that continues to this day), the TB-303 was imbued with three vital functions that combined to create its unique, slippery “acid” sound: the basic-yet-almost-impenetrable step sequencer, the Accent that punched accented notes to greater heights, and that inimitable Slide function that didn’t remotely emulate the sound of a fretless bass. When these functions are used together, the TB-303 serves up those trademark slippery, creaking, acid-laden riffs that, to this day, stamp their authority on dance floors the world over. For best results, drop Josh Wink‘s “Higher State of Consciousness” on any dance floor and stand well back.
In the intervening years, artists by the thousands have flocked to embrace that sound. Notable masters are legion, including Josh Wink, Aphex Twin, and Plastikman (aka Richie Hawtin). But Hardfloor, the legendary Dusseldorf-based proto-acid trance duo, are probably the most famous early exponents. They utilized up to six 303s to weave complex and subtle acid workouts that still stand the test of time, 1992′s “Acperience 1″ being essential listening for the uninitiated.
Programming the onboard step sequencer was a nightmare. But in the 303′s defense, one could jab randomly at those plastic keys to input a riff, then apply the timing, slides, and accented notes to complete the pattern. Bizarrely, 80 percent of the time the results actually sounded passable, if not entirely useable in a musical context. Such is the sonic allure of its cosmic tone.
Getting “That” Sound…
So just how do you get that classic acid sound these days? Purists seeking the original hardware will pay $1,500-plus for one of the 10,000 units that Roland originally made. Right now, there’s even one signed by Trax producer Marshall Jefferson on Ebay—a steal at $6,000.
For those who don’t have the funds for hardware, there are many hardware clones that approximate the sound, but arguably don’t come close. Many software versions, however, perfectly mimic the original. Propellerhead kickstarted the soft-synth revolution with ReBirth back in 1997, and now there are a flood of imitators. AudioRealism and D16 Group are regarded as the most authentic, with the latter’s Phoscyon adding a wealth of new features that take that 303 sound into incredible new territory, should you come over all experimental.
Originally published in POWERON – Download it for Free
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 18:40:41
So why dont you guys re-release it?
Mar 28, 2013 @ 20:28:28
I have the tr606 I love it’s size it’s ease of use, for me it really matches my Casios and particularly my monotribe, these small battery operated machines are great fun to work with. I’d be happy to see Roland release a whole series of machines such as the tr303 at an affordable price with sensible simple cvor midi to sync them easily. the key is affordability though.
Mar 28, 2013 @ 20:32:31
I wanted to add that if Roland were looking to re release the small portable series of the 303 or 606, then you could expand that small attractive module to inclue chip tunes machines like old Atari style sounds or even rerelease the tr-808 and 909 in the same small modular pattern. they really are so attractive and easy to use. I’d chuck my computer if I could buy all these for $300-409 each!
Mar 28, 2013 @ 20:37:44
check out the comments section : http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/03/28/should-roland-bring-back-the-tb-303-bassline-synth/
Mar 28, 2013 @ 21:09:20
Roland,
I know the last time we parted ways it was messy. You wanted me to love you for the crystal clarity of your 16bit/44.1K samples and I was happier when you were grungier and less sophisticated. I know you tried to meet me halfway, and for a while I was onboard during your “Groove box” phase (I know, I can’t look at the pictures either). But let’s face it, you’ve been spinning your wheels since I left you. The last time I cared, you were in that sexy black number with the Super-Saw, but you still had the D-beams. You don’t need all that fake stuff.
Whenever I happen to see you in public, I hope that maybe you’ve gotten your act together. Maybe you’ve gone analog or you come up with some new style of synthesis. But I’m always disappointed. You’re still trying to impress the church music and home organ crowd.
When are you gonna realize you’re funkier than that? When are you gonna stop trying to please the P&W crowd and let your keys down? Let a few knobs show! Stop hiding behind your menus! Let me see that sexy bitch that could pack the club floors back in the 80s! Come on. It’s time.
Best of love,
Ben
Mar 28, 2013 @ 22:19:36
I always wanted one but the skyrocketed prices made that impossible. Bring it back and kill all those clone machines out there. Old is Good Nowadays is you know what i mean. Bring it back Please. (with midi).
Mar 28, 2013 @ 23:40:39
So essentially Roland is admitting that they cannot make anything new? Thus having seen Korg just regurgitate and vomit an old tired synth in the MS-20, the brilliant folks at Roland have decided to try their hand at reviving the dead?
Great. Let me know when the Model T is back in production as well.
Mar 29, 2013 @ 15:07:24
Roland haven’t made anything new in decades, they know it, we know it. This re-release of a time hen they were really innovating, when they understood less was more, when they stopped following the pack – this is a good point for the company to backtrack, see their past strengths and use it as a model for future innovations. This is the kind of Roland we want to see. The seem to hav been so overwhelmed with possibilities the last decade that it just froze them into an innovation torpor. This project, and enthusiastic monetary endorsement of it from fans, is just what the company needs to reinvigorate a new dynamic industry of possibilities, they could be leaders again if they just learnt from past successes.
Apr 04, 2013 @ 08:17:19
@blackbaubleBlackbauble
“This project”
What project ? What are you talking about?
Nothing in this blog post says anything about Roland reissuing the TB-303.
I wish they would, but they probably won’t
I also want an 808 and a 909.
All they need to do it build them. They will sell themselves.
Mar 29, 2013 @ 00:18:24
Bring it back !!
Mar 29, 2013 @ 01:00:39
Time for Roland to bring some of this gear back in its original form i.e. analog. Really loved the MC202 too. Surely if Korg can bring back the MS20 Roland can too bring back the greats.
Mar 29, 2013 @ 01:12:58
It would be amazing to se the tb303 back in the stores. When the tb303 was first released the world wasn’t ready for it. It started alot of electronic genres including mu favorit “Acid techno”. When it got popular it was already discontinued. It never got a chance. I think that this machine deserves that second chance, and i dont mean like the mc303 and other digital emulations that ultra suck at emulating the tb303. The original specs, perhaps with MIDI
.
Mar 29, 2013 @ 06:01:45
Rolands synths are what gave us Detroit Techno, acid house and techno .
Fetching back some simple synthesizers would be fantasticfor those of us not into getting ripped off paying overly inflated prices. The tb 303, the 106,these machines where simple and did their job well. More of the same would be incredible. It is clear the market is here.
Midi hardware sequencing is alive and well and a lot off new companies and old companies are getting tuned into the market, Dave Smith, Korg etc(oh and that company moog)
Mar 29, 2013 @ 07:44:40
re-launch it already!!
Mar 29, 2013 @ 08:01:19
You are right!!! The greatest and never quite duplicated!!!
Mar 29, 2013 @ 15:33:34
i never post comments, but bring that thing back!!
Mar 29, 2013 @ 15:35:03
and the 808 and 909 !!!
Mar 29, 2013 @ 16:12:31
303+606 , also 808,909,707
Apr 04, 2013 @ 03:12:41
Please make the 303 again, just think how much it would extend the life of such instrument!
303 is too scarce and expensive these days, plus many people mod them and destroy them and some horde them.
Apr 05, 2013 @ 02:18:12
Dear Roland,
Thank you for asking. Yes, bring the 303 back if you do a 1:1 fiathful replica including the sequencer. Have a look add the additional features that the silverfish cpu upgrade provides( rotate pattern, swing, random patter generator) and you have a winner. Like many others i love you for the synths and drumboxes you build prior to 85 and i spend quite an effort to maintain 8 of your old analog synths (some or more than 38 years old) and 4 of your old drumboxes. How’s that for a product life cycle
haven’t bought any of your gear in the recent years and hope to see some exciting products for the analog synth enthusiast from you in the future. I know that it is probably more lucrative to cater the worship market with yet another keyboard workstation, but please start realizing there is a huge market for new innovative elctronic instruments out there, that might not seem obvious to your business strategist, but i’d love to see Roland comeing back, embracing the roots of their spirit and give the world some new analog synths and devices for performing electronic music.
If you are asking me what products i’d like to see from you and what might work with the current market then these are my suggestions:
1.)Reissue of the TB 303 ( 1:1 version with a couple of added feature inspired by the various firmware and hardware mods out there: midi i/o, random pattern generator, allow edit of sequences while playback, rotate pattern, copy/paste sequence data, swing )
2) 808/909 Kickdrum synthesizer (both bassdrum legends in one little analog drums synth using the original circuitry with some added tweaks: tuning and extended decay for 808 bassdrum and extended tuning for 909 kick. Add a trigger inout and midi, so this will be hit product with live drummers and every electronic music producer and it would be a good starting product to test the waters of the analog synth market.
3) obvious a reissue of the mighty 808 with a couple of add ons. With the current trend of 808 drums in styles as trap music and many other genres, you would be stupid not wanting to cash in on your legacy and do it oldschool
with a faithful reproducion of the original design with extended featureset for the modern producer. The magic of the 808 besides its sound is the user interface and this should be kept like it is as well as the design and colour scheme. just add some Midi(icluding midi out for the step sequencer) , 3 additional instrument slots (sample based) extend the pattern memory , add swing to the sequencer and allow for extended tuning of each drum sound.
With second hand prices of 808 going up to 4000 dollars a high end drum machine like this would sell like hot cakes at around 1000 bucks and you’d be surprised what this could do to your brand awareness and reputation in the mi world and you’d be dringking champagne with your investors when the product breaks even on the 4th month after release. Trust me.
4) You will have a hard time selling your business management that it’s a good idea to go for an new generation analog polysynth, so why not look into a performance oriented monosynth market first? A good starting point is to look at the classic Sh 101(there i said it) . It is portable lighweight and easy to use synthesizer. So why not add a second oscilator (with FM , sync and crossmod) or even a third one (hello moog!) to make a monster of
analog monosynth that blows the competition out of the water. Enclosure colour options should be blue or red and later a black and white limited edition.With a pricepoint at 799 this could turn out a big return of your investment and wouldn be too much of an effort to produce.
Best regards from Denmark,
Mike
Apr 08, 2013 @ 09:07:02
yes, this is a great idea…. I also wouldn’t mind if you added midi and cpu etc….
Apr 10, 2013 @ 08:27:22
It’s obvious there is money to be made on these machines or else other people wouldn’t be making clones.
Roland, please wake up already.
Apr 10, 2013 @ 14:38:47
Please Roland,re-release the TB-303. The stars are right! You know in your heart it’s an inevitability, so what are you waiting for?! 23.
Apr 10, 2013 @ 15:10:59
I haven’t bought any new Roland gear since their JD-800 Synth back in 1992. Their later stuff did not inspire me the way this or the Juno-106, my first Synth ever, did. While recent stuff like the Gaia show that they are still capable of something interesting, I can’t see why they don’t go analog again. They have the experience, they had the best machines back in the day, they have the schematics in their archives!
Roland, please take note.
Apr 10, 2013 @ 21:59:41
i call reeeeeeemaaake!
Apr 11, 2013 @ 04:34:54
This little historic music box NEEDS to see the light of day asap! When I read Korg brought back the MS-20 I nearly had a coronary from the excitement.
Companies REALLY need to start watching the needs and wants of their customers more attentively and stop focusing on releasing useless gear with unwanted bells and whistles. Yes, we know it “costs” more to produce and the parts may be harder to come by, but in the end there’s a reason we keep coming back to our original 707s, 808s, or 303′s – It’s unbeatable, and it’ll never die. Price isn’t an issue here. We will pay for QUALITY.
Re-release this little gem in all its glory, with added midi capability, and a handy VST plug-in editor for use in a DAW of our choice.
(and while you’re at it, re-releasing the 808 and 909 as some part of the “Roland Historic Series of Drum Machines”) would be a good idea as well…
*hint hint*
IF KORG can do it, then you can too ROLAND.
Apr 12, 2013 @ 00:56:58
Too late.
Apr 16, 2013 @ 21:41:36
I want to replace my 1/8″ CV & gate output jacks on my TB-303. Where can I find these parts? Help would be nice. Thanks. P.S. I just serviced the 303 myself and it sounds amazing. I don’t think Roland should re-release the 303, 909, or 808 because when you own one it feels like you own a piece of music history!
May 28, 2013 @ 10:52:46
Apologies for the long delay in responding to your comment, but we had to make a couple of calls for this one. Our service guy says that this connector may work for the TB-303 but will have to be measured. This is from Mouser Electronics, a common electronic components company. We don’t have many other component leads for legacy gear such as the TB-303. Another option is to contact your local service technician, you can track one down with our service center locator.
Apr 24, 2013 @ 00:53:06
What more can i say – yes i take a 303, 808, 909 and 101 please. Lets do this Roland
May 03, 2013 @ 18:00:16
Yes I’d love a re-issue but I’m not holding my breath on you any more Roland. x0xb0x has done it, BassBot TT 303 has done it and now Korg are realising what the public want and are giving it to us! Too late Roland…
101, 202, 303, 606, 808 & 909.
I would buy re-issues INSTANTLY (so long as they were cheaper than current collector prices) – your fantastic history and lineage deserves better than trading romplers no-one wants on the names of your previous innovations. Just re-do the Jupiter 8 and the x0x line already!!! The whole music making world is waiting for you to get your act together and fall in love with you all over again!
Please?
May 04, 2013 @ 04:48:24
303 – 808-909 are legends !
A mixture of old and new, would be a real treat for fans of techno, acid house…
Demand is, as shown by … watching the price occasions, watch clones, watch forums musician …
View craze for korg volca !
Jun 11, 2013 @ 06:41:22
it´s time to bring it back !!
thx!
Studio Electronics Boomstars: worth the wait! | Nova Musik
Jun 14, 2013 @ 13:14:23
[...] There are four models available, each with a different filter: there’s the Boomstar 4075 with the classic ARP 2600 filter, the Boomstar 5089 with the classic Moog 24db ladder filter, the Boomstar SEM with the classic Oberheim 12db multi-mode filter and the Boomstar 303 with the classic Roland TB filter. [...]