Hey, IT'S 303 DAY!
Back To The Future
Let's travel back in time to the early 1980s, where the world was experiencing one of its many musical revolutions. Disco music was fading, and new sounds were emerging, such as electro and hip hop. Electronic instruments were becoming increasingly popular, and the Roland Corporation was at the forefront of this new era.
In 1981, Roland introduced a new synthesizer, the TB-303, which would eventually become a legendary instrument in the world of electronic music. But the 303 wasn't always as popular as it is today. In fact, when it was first released, it was marketed as a tool for guitarists and bass players to simulate the sound of a real bass guitar. Unfortunately, most guitarists did not feel the sound was realistic and avoided the instrument.
However, The 303's unique sound and features made it an attractive tool for producers. With its squelchy and distinctive sound, the 303 quickly found a new audience in the burgeoning acid house scene. Producers started to use the 303 to create basslines and melodies that were unlike anything heard before.
The distinctive sound of the 303 is achieved through its 24db low pass and non-self-oscillating filter, combined with its sequencer. This sequencer enabled effortless programming of basslines and melodies. Pitch slides, accents, and the filter with its resonance controls provided an extensive range of sound possibilities.
As the acid house scene grew in popularity, the 303 became a staple instrument in electronic music production. The 303's distinctive sound can be heard on countless classic tracks, including Phuture's "Acid Tracks" and "Voodoo Ray" by A Guy Called Gerald.
Despite the original TB-303 only being produced from 1981 to 1984, the 303 continues to be an iconic instrument in the world of electronic music. Its unique sound has inspired countless musicians and producers, and its influence can be heard in genres ranging from techno to hip hop. Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting out, the Roland TB-303 is a piece of music history that is sure to inspire and delight.
Today's 303, The Roland TB-03
Even today, Roland still has several synthesizers that offer slippery-resonance and sawtooths or square waves but none more than the Roland TB-03.
The Roland TB-03 is a nearly identical version of the original TB-303 but designed using Roland's acclaimed ACB technology also known as "Analog Circuit Behavior."
Roland's ACB (Analog Circuit Behavior) technology is a unique approach to modeling analog synthesizers in the digital domain. Unlike traditional digital modeling, which relies on mathematical algorithms to simulate analog circuits, ACB uses advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) to recreate the sound and behavior of vintage analog synthesizers.
ACB technology begins with a detailed analysis of the analog circuits that make up classic synthesizers like the Roland Jupiter-8 and TB-303. This analysis includes not only the electrical characteristics of the components used in these circuits, but also the subtle interactions between them that give these instruments their unique sound and character.
Using this data, Roland engineers create a digital model of the circuit, which is then refined and optimized through extensive listening tests. Once this model is finalized, it is combined with a custom-designed DSP engine that accurately emulates the behavior of the analog components. This includes not only the sound of the oscillators, filters, and other signal processors, but also the way these components interact with each other and with the input signal.
The Roland TB-03 is a modern recreation of the classic TB-303 bass synthesizer, with several features that set it apart from the original hardware. One of these features is the addition of overdrive and distortion effects, which allow users to create more complex and aggressive sounds. Another addition is the inclusion of delay effects, including tape echo, digital delay, and reverb, which provide a wider range of sonic possibilities. Additionally, the TB-03 features MIDI sequencing capabilities, making it easier to integrate into modern music production workflows. Together, these features make the Roland TB-03 a versatile and powerful synthesizer that retains the iconic sound of the original TB-303 while offering new creative possibilities.
The Roland TB-03 is a fantastic synthesizer that delivers the classic TB-303 sound in a modern and compact package. Its intuitive controls, versatile sequencer, and authentic sound make it a joy to use, and it's a great choice for both live performances and studio productions.