Roland TB-303

As you might have heard, this is not the easiest machine to programme by a long shot. If like me, you've used rebirth and thought "hey, this is pretty easy!" you'll be in for a shock. But I had a quick look through the manual and pretty soon I got to grips with writing patterns. It's like riding a bike too - I only had to use the manual once (not the easiest manual ever though, as others have mentioned). Having said that, you really do need to concentrate when entering the timing data, as it's easy to go wrong there if you're rushing.

Takes a bit of time to make sure you end up with what you want, but it's worth it. Alternatively you could be lame and just programme at random or take the batteries out - but that soon gets boring, and unless you're very lucky (apparently that's how Armando (R.I.P.) made Land Of Confusion!) you'll end up with crappy results. The only thing I never got the hang of was using the Tap mode: funny how nobody ever mentions it - because even if you discover it, you'll find it's practically impossible to use!

Stringing patterns together into sequences is fairly quick and straightforward in comparison to writing patterns, but this isn't much compensation.

Overall, I'd say it scores badly in this respect because you can't just get on with playing it (you can even do that with an MC-202) but are forced to laboriously break down your idea into bits and then try to make it fit into what the machine can do.

Everyone's familiar with the main features by now surely, so I won't go over them again. There are a few things it can do that not everyone knows about or mentions in these reviews. Like the way you can use pitch mode to transpose patterns while playing - if you use the CV & gate outputs (another cool feature if you've got other analogue gear) to control another synth, you can use it as a sort of limited arpeggiatior as well as a sequencer.

Being able to switch patterns and make basic chains (i.e. repeat 2 or more adjacent patterns) on the fly is pretty fun too, especially when you're using different lengths of patterns together, and makes a good performance trick (check out the live videos of Ceephax Acid Crew on Youtube to see what I mean!). The "tap mode" I mentioned above is a pretty cool idea and works really well on the MC-202, but is truly truly crappy on the 303. Bit of a shame, as the timing is the most difficult part as I said above.

So yeah, it does have some odd capabilities that emulators or software might not be able to do in the same hands-on way. Looking at it "objectively" I'd have to give it a low score here, 'cause it is a limited instrument, but it really depends on how you want to use it and in what context. For me, it's a lot of fun, but I can easily see how it might be an annoyance for many, who wouldn't want to use it in the ways that play to it's strengths.

The sounds? Well, I come down firmly on the LOVE side. I think the character of the sound is very unusual, not like most analogues. The rasp on the saw wave, the liquidity of the square ... But what really defines the 303 is not so much the sound in itself but the way it behaves when you change it. The way you can use different combinations of the controls (not just cutoff!) to mask or play-down certain parts of your pattern and then reveal them again and mask other parts - this is why I've never got sick of hearing it.

Having never used any emulators (other than Rebirth, which I still think is phenomenal for what it is) I'm not really qualified to comment on them, but I suspect that it's this factor (and some aspects of the sequencer) that would be likely to let them down rather than any failure to get the character of the sound right.

My 303 was modified by a previous owner with the Borg kit, but to be honest I never use the mods and would much prefer an unmodified one (looks pretty messy IMO). Not that it's a bad mod or anything, but it's like the extra stuff is superfluous ... the extra ins and outs are fun to mess about with, but I've never used any of them to make anything that's made it into a finished recording.

Has to be a 10 for this category I'm afraid. Anything less would be sacrilege!

I've only had mine for about 6 months and it looks like it's been used a lot in the past - the silver around the cutoff knob has worn away, which is a dead giveaway. The main problem is that one of the buttons on the "keyboard" is a bit temperamental and so the button bank will probably have to be replaced at some point.

Other than that it seems to be very stable and has never crashed or gone ga-ga on me. So far at least ...

This is where the ridiculous price that the 303 has fetched for the best part of the last decade and a half comes in handy. Because they're still sought after and prized, this means that it's still economical to spend a bit of cash getting them fixed up, so there's plenty of folks out there who are capable of doing it. Parts like the button bank are (so I've read anyway ...) still available, so it's not the end of the world.

As for support from Roland, as everyone else says: forget it. Too old!

I hate to brag, but it seems that I am one of the fortunate few who's paid a reasonable price for my 303 - ??200, which even considering the condition is a bargain these days by anyone's standards. I wouldn't ever have contemplated buying one for the bananas prices they seem to go for on ebay, even though I always wanted one. Still wouldn't - if it gave up the ghost tomorrow I'd be in tears but wouldn't replace it.

Unless its absolutely essential for the style of music you want to make, or you simply have money to burn, I'd say don't bother - they're spectacularly bad value for money at the prices they usually fetch. Having said that, some of the emulators are not significantly cheaper (which seems to defeat the point doesn't it?), so if you've just gotta have it, you might as well go for the real thing eh? When all's said and done, a 303 is just downright f*****g cool isn't it?

Aside from the PC I use for recording and editing, all the hardware I have (MC-202, Korg Kpr-77, Teisco 60F and Realistic/Moog MG-1) is analogue, and uses Din sync and V/oct CV & gate, so it fits nicely in to my set-up and is really useful as a sequencer (and has proper memory too, unlike the 202) as well as just for making acid lines. I've always wanted a more powerful analogue synth like an MS-20 or something comparable, and so when I bought it I gave some serious consideration to selling it and buying something like that with the money, but I really do enjoy using it, so am hanging onto it for the forseeable future. When I feel like I've done all I want to with it, I'm sure someone out there will find a home for it.

As for whether it's useful in making music? Well it does force you to think about what you want it to do - I used to find that all the programming slowed me down when making a track, although the more I've used it, the less this has been a problem.

Another factor to consider is that it's been used so much already that it's easy to make so-so, average sounding tracks with it, but much harder to come up with something that stands out. You can see that either as a problem or a challenge I suppose.

It is a retarded interface, it is not hard but quite *** for making real music with it.

It does one thing, and that is make aweful music. This thing has certainly changed music and for the worse. Only a drugged up retard could listen to Phuture and think that is inspiring music. Dreadful piece of equipment I hope one day people will recognize this thing helped destroy good music.

It does one sound that is puke. Giant ****. The biggest gimmick ever. People spend $2000 on these. I bought got mine 20 years ago in a pawn shop, thought it was a giant POS then, then 10 years later I sold it for 1500% profit. I still lol thinking of the idiot who paid $1500 for that ****.

who cares it is a junk piece of crap

who cares it sucks

save your money if you want the sounds of this putrid machine there are many emulators that do it better it is all **** that analog sounds better than digital it is just people who want to make a lot of $$$ off suckers by jacking the prices up sky high on ebay auctions for crap. Digital sounds better and can do so much more why buy these old junk machines you are doing too much drugs if you think it sounds better.

I have used one only once, stupidly easy to use unless your a bit slow.

The only feature this has over the many (excellent) clones is the sequencer, this to me is the real secret to getting those lovely flowing bubbly bouncy bass lines.

Well, the sound of a 303...................well, when i first heard it (1989) i fell in love with it, that sound has something very special about it.
To be honest, i have built a couple of "clones" and even actual producers of Acid music thought i was using a real TB in my trax so it can be done despite what others think.
I hate that crappy apparently "hard" Acid, they do Acid lines that sound closer to dumb trance music.
Just listen to the proper old Acid music, that is how this thing is supposed to sound no matter what the dumb masses say.
The sound of a 303 changed dance music for ever, and that is an absolute fact.

I have seen them for sale still (2007) so that is saying something.

First, many other units sound exactly the same, if you want to make Acid either buy one or build one.
The sound of the Square wave has been faithfully reproduced in a number of clones to the point where you cannot tell the difference.
Now, so many characters are making "Acid" and just distorting it and playing pathetic trance sounding lines thinking they are making "hard" tunes, they have killed its sound doing that.
Just listen to "where's your child" by BamBam or Dj Pierre or Phuture and you will hear how its supposed to be done.
The TB303 is a unit that has a sound that influenced millions of people, and that is sayin something.

The sequencer's interface can be summed up as retarded. Enter in your notes, then press one of the on/off buttons 16 times, then go BACK to pitch mode and enter your slides, accents, and octaves. 9 times out of 10 you'll end up with something different than what you were trying to program. What makes this machine so magical is that 3 out of those 10 times the result will sound better than what you had intended!

If you're lucky enough to have a copy of the manual, frame it. During this period Roland used a language that appeared to be english, but was really Japanese people not making any sense. So don't look for any help there.

I should also note that if you've been using Rebirth or Audiorealism, you're used to a much more convenient method of programming. A real teebee is nothing like it's wanna-be emulators.

Polyphony? 1.

Built In Effects? 0

Expansion? Contact Devilfish and bring the bank!

MIDI? Nope. CV and DINsync...you'll need some extra tools to get it working with your Triton (please don't use a Triton with a 303...thanks).

Sequencer? The worst and best sequencer of all time!

The sounds this machine makes are one of a kind, period. No software or hardware clones can emulate it. Many claim to, but plug a real box in next to it and you'll know what I mean. Absolutely unique.
100% analog. Leave it on for a day straight and it'll likely go out of tune and sound slightly different. In fact, most 303's sound a bit different from one another. They age nicely. I have a couple for this reason.

The 303 works well for one thing, acid. In fact, acid usually doesn't work unless there's a 303 involved. If you're not into acid, then you probably won't enjoy the machine.

I've heard others talking about how they hate acid but use the 303 for other things. That's like using a glass of expensive wine for gardening because you hate the taste of pinot noir.

Can I depend on it? Not really. It's memory is dependant on 4 C batteries!
Plastic casing, not horribly flimsy...but I wouldn't drop it or take it on a flight without it being in my carry-on!

If you had a time machine and went back to 1981, you would find that even when Roland supported this product...their technical support was (and is) utter crap.

If it was lost or stolen, I'd punch myself in the face for allowing it to be lost or stolen! Then I'd find another one.

One last thing I should mention, this is something that will never lose it's value. A lot of people worry about spending the $800-$1,200 on this machine as if it'll be worth nothing if they sell it. Every year these machines are worth more and more...so it's an investment at the very least if you take good care of it!
If you can find one for under $1,000...buy it!

The sound is one of a kind.
I have owned a FR777 - sold it with no regrets. It sure is a lot more versatile than the TB303 but it lacks the charm and the warmth.

I agree with the previous reviewer that the TB303's liquid square wave can't be replicated.
The price is dear but the synth used as a fundamental bass line, as a real bass substitute will bring phenomenal results ? warm, dark, charming and mystique.

No software that I am aware of.
No patch memory. Not really a "synth" IMO. (About as much "synth" as a Casio VL-tone with the "ADSR" function...)
It is very easy to use. I use mine as a replacement for a bass player. Along with the companion TR-606, they make an interesting
backing band. I try to avoid the excesses of "acid/tekkno" crap, and
instead focus on making meaningful, actual music.

Joking: Nah I like that bleepey buzzy stuff, but it is interesting to use the TB/TR in the way Roland meant to, as nobody seems to believe it can be done....

Monopnonic, rather limited tonality. If you aren't careful you can drift into that squelchy, buzzy, sloppy sound that has apparently made the TB "famous" (and embarrassingly over-priced)...

The sequencer is great. Very "70's" thinking. I love that stuff.

It sounds like a simple, crude analog monosynth, which is what it is.
With class, restraint, and artistic subtlety, it can be quite musical.
If you aren't careful, on the other hand, it can scream and squelch like a cat being run over or something...I find the resonance in particular to be very "rude". It reminds me of a nasaly fart.
Infact, a TB can sound alot like a slaughter house...animal death cries, horrible wet sounds....

Hmmm. Years ago I ended up with three, which I still have.
2 are mint, one has been used, with normal wear, in various studio/live projects. I do everything from folk country to death metal, "classical" synth arrangements, what might be called "up-tempo
drone-based gothic trance pieces??"...some film scoring, etc...
I always find a place for this little, junky, over-rated POS.
(but a nice POS...)
It is very delicate and plastic, and could be killed very easily.
Mine has been lucky I suppose.

None

Well, since I am financially well-off, I see no need to be an eBay whore and hope for some rip-off pay-off, selling them for $1000 bucks to some poor kid who should spend his money on better things...
Hell, I'll donate them to a church or something before I do that....

The sequencer is ridiculously difficult to program. Very non-intunitive. In fact, I find the Roland MC-202 easier to program.

Silver box, Silver buttons, Silver knobs, and Red LED lights...

A lot of people think the sounds are all played out or can easily be emulated by another TB-clone, but I've played with all the clones and emulators, and find the TB-303 sound to be unique yet restrictive.

Internal batteries allow you to turn off the unit and save your patterns. This is one advantage over the Roland MC-202.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

I would only buy it again if I could find it for an awesome price like i did with this one. Otherwise, I'll probably look into getting something like the Future Retro FR-777.

The synth part is easy enough to figure out...because there's not that
much to it. The sequencer, though...it's obtuse, annoying, and takes
some time to use. Non-intuitive, as opposed to other X0Xboxes such
as the TR-series, or the SH-101. Manual is a piece of crap, written in
typical Rolandese of the period. It should be noted that a lot of
'k00l producerz' program this box by popping the batteries in and
out, resulting in random patterns.

Has some CV and gate/trig I/Os with which you can route the sequencer
out to a better synth (which is a good idea!). Internal synth is
limited, and is only really capable with a small handful of particular
sounds. No MIDI, but has DINsync for use with other Roland/Korg
products which use this timing standard. Its main use is for its
internal sequencer, which is rather anti-intuitive and obtuse, but
which has several unique glide-type functions.

The weak point. The TB-303, honestly, only does about 10-11 sounds
well, all of which are now so played-out and overused that they lost
their novelty years ago. There are MUCH BETTER synths out there
that can do what this does...and a lot more...such as the FutureRetro
777. If all you'll ever do in music is ahcEEd traxx, this is your
box, bay-bee. But if you have some inkling that there's more to
electronic music than a smattering of squelchy lines, welll....

Not reliable. Cheap plastic case, similar to the TR-606, needs TLC
to keep it from being damaged. These are often found w/o battery
case covers, because the clips on them break (often from the unique
'programming' method many TB-303 users employ). Any used one should
be considered suspect because of the type of use many of these have
been subjected to in the past decade.

Ha! Support from Roland is nonexistant. However, there are a number
of aftermarket modifiers and techs for this one particular box. This
is perhaps the '303's high point.

I've used these on a couple of occasions, and I know a number of
people who swear by them. I, however, tend to swear AT them. I find
them to be a very restrictive and somewhat user-hostile unit, really
only capable of a limited pallette of sounds that has a limited
number of uses. I consequently ban them from my studio and productions
whenever they turn up. They go for hideous prices, which makes no
sense whatsoever now that units such as the FutureRetro 777 exist,
with a much better interface AND internal synthesizer. People
claim that you MUST use these to create good techno; I think that
that's a load of crap. The TB-303: perhaps one of the most overhyped
boxes in electronic music, period.

For starters. It's not too clear on how to program it ( esp. with no manual) But in about 3 hours of messing around , you should be able to get some noise out of it.

The features are good, why wouldn't they be. It's all hands on realtime tweaking ! I like sending the CV out to my Moog Tarus II and route that back into the 303 .. Massive bass with the 303 alone. More then you ever would want with two synth's! Realtime key change function is a great feature that keeps the 303 groovin all year long

The sounds on the TB-303 imposible to reproduce on ANY synth, clones and home made clones. I've sat around listening ( and going through many web pages) of clone's. Some of them sound like the 303 but there's allways something wrong with clones. Not enough squalch. The sound isn't as bubble sound as the original 303.

Right now . My TB-303 case is starting to wear off on the conners and slowly cracks are forming on the conners where the wear is. I would recomend a really nice flight case to keep your 303 in. Synths won't last forever. The 303 is as old as me and I'd like it to be around as long as I live. A 303 is a lifetime investment. I hope to be in my retirement castle with my 303 rackmounted to my wheelchair showing the childern the sound of acidbass that rulled techno.

I bought my used out of a service shop. THey made sure all the Buttons and Knobs are working 100% correct. You people planing to buy one should avoid waisting your time on ebay ( they just going to milk to for way over $1000 and i bet there will be some problems with the case or buttons).Go out and check some newpapers or some online synth stores that deal with used gear. Don't come crying to me when your bassline aint moving the waistline.

If you haven't stoped reading this review by now you must agree with what i said ? I duno... there arn't that many 303's left in the world. You better pick one up now if your into the acid sound now before there gone for good. I said it. So don't be crying when the street value goes up due to eveyone buying them and there's only a few thousand left.

Easy.... it's not EXACTLY like Rebirth, but close enough.

The previous poster wondered why Roland thought that the 303 would work to emulate a bass player... well, they didn't. Most people don't realize that the 303 can sequence another synth. Roland expected people to get the "gist" of a pattern on the 303, then have the 303 control a more powerful and expressive synth.

How ironic then that the stand-in engine of the 303 is one of the most desirable synths of all time! :-)

No other synth can math the 303's liquid square wave. Alot of others can emulate its saw wave. Another factor is the sequencer... to get that 303 sound, you'll need to re-create the unusual linear portomento which the seq uses.

If you like acid, you'll like this. Obvious. But the 303 is also great for really low-end, grinding bass sounds. And if you put it through an envelope follower, it sounds cooler still.

Er.... mine's 20 years old and still going. That means something about its reliability. But the 303 is a mixture of standard IC's which are easily replacable, and a master chip which is specific to the 303. If that chip fries, well the 303 looks great as a paperweight.

Yeah. Try to prise old parts loose from Roland. They'll try to sell you to some "groove approved" piece of shit aimed at Candy Ravers.

I love this box. Soooooooo cool. But I also own a FR-777, which can be found at www.future-retro.com and is like a hugely expanded 303 with 2 oscs and 2 sub-oscs. They complement each other.... if I was going to buy just one of them it would be the 777.

Easy! The Step programming is something you can really jump right into. Didn't come with a manual, there is one available online.

One voice polyphone. No effects, no expansion, and yes, there is a step sequencer. You can change the wave form too. Not a lot of features... but that's not what this unit is made for.

Are you making music that ISN'T electronic? If yes, don't get this. It is *the* sound of Acid but not much else. I'm not sure how Roland thought they could sell this as a replacement for a live bass player.

Reliable... yeah. But OLD. Treat it gently and it'll last forever.

It makes the sounds it's supposed to make. I sold it about 6 months afterwards because it wasn't the sound I wanted at the time. If you are looking for the 303 sound I'd **highly** suggest looking at the Future-Retro FR-777 it emulates a 303 PERFECTLY and is way more flexible, more knobs=more fun.