Roland TB-03 Bass Line Boutique Synthesizer

There's something special about turning a real knob on a hardware synth and getting a true, faithful recreation of the TB-303 sound we know and love so much. The knobs being so small though, make it better for the studio where you can afford to make more mistakes for re-dos or use automation in a DAW. Overall, impressed with the build quality and most of all...the squelch sound. Fun to learn programming it as if I was doing it back in the 80s/90s on the real thing. Great buy, better than any VST emulator by far.

I know that the Behringer clone is coming out, and I ordered one, but this thing sounds amazing, and looks better than the Behringer ever could. I had a TB3, and I hated the thing - these TB-03 units look and sound like the real thing. We'll see how much of a difference real analog makes with the Behringer, but the TB-03 is a home-run. ACB technology sounds amazing (I also have a System-1, System-8, and SH-01), as well as a Jupiter-Xm that uses ZEN Core.I have Phoscyon, ABL3, and some other software clones, and this sounds so much better (along with the Roland Cloud 303).Complaints: okay - I get it that the accent isn't perfect, but if you need pristine 303, it's time to pony up the cash, or get over it

I thoroughly studied and compared the audio samples on acidvoice for MONTHS. hours and hours of time carefully listening to one device compared to the other in various states of mind.eventually picked up an avalon for about a grand. I basically agree with the results of these extensive tests, namely 1. 303. 2. avalon. 3. xoxbox. 4 tb-03. except I actually rate the avalon as number 1. that being said, in short- if you have the dollars to throw at this, get the avalon for about $1200- it overall has the best and most features, it is made of metal and weights like 20 pounds, and has far greater capabilities than an original TB-303 by far. i would get that one over an original tb-303, any day- it has far more features (such as the sub/input which is a HUGE thing if you are Aphex Twin influenced) and is better built. Do NOT for any reason purchase an original TB-303! the avalon actually sounds better and is better in every way (even over devilfish modded 303s).now for 1/8th to 1/10th the cost of the resale on an original tb-303 (and 1/3rd the cost of the avalon), you can get this delightful little gem which does everything the original does + more! it sounds near identical and for the most part indistinguishable without distortion applied and even with, it still sounds really amazing and only a carefully trained ear could tell the difference!i love that it is battery operated (or powered by 500mA micro-USB) and has its own speaker, which means i can pack in in my school back pack and program insane loops between classes.absolutely ZERO regrets on this purchase! the only other i would recommend as a possibility is the behringer TD-3-SR, which is less than half the price of this unit. if i get another 303 clone that will be my next purchase- but overall this one is better, for starters it has a digital display showinging the BPM (unlike the behringer OR the avalon in fact) which is incredibly helpful. i totally love the digital display screen on the TB-03! ie i would get this one before the behringer unit.yes, there are a few minor differences soundwise, and idk wtf with the 1/8" output plugs, but hey, adapters work! the built-in distortion (3 types available) means you do not have to pick up a RAT pedal, and the built-in delay means you do not have to pick up a delay processor as well. delay is really important, especially if you are making trance of any sort. overall: entirely cool!I TOTALLY LOVE THIS THING!

Nice and sturdy. Looks and sounds great. The patterns are fun to make but I highly recommend controlling it with a daw. I was using an arpeggiator with note echo and ran it through some effects (Bitwig). Some very cool results. Plus that way you're not limited to 16 step patterns and you can play it with a keyboard or sequencer. Either way, very fun tool.

Happy with product, on time shipping.

Had mine for two days now... it's sick! I just wanted to make sure everyone knows about the copy and the random functions that I didn't see in the instructions. To copy a pattern, in write mode hold function button and press F# key button while in the pattern you want to copy. Then press a pattern button for where to place the copy, and then press the write/next button to execute. For random, hold function and press G# for random 1 and A# for random 2. Random 1 is completely random and 2 randomly changes the octave shift, slide, and accent of the current pattern. **CURRENT PATTERN IS OVERWRITTEN** but you can always make a copy before going rando! Hope this helps someone out there... any other tips or tricks reply here. Thx, Jonny

Absolutely the best option for 303 sounds in this price range. It's easy to use and sounds fantastic.

I am having a blast with this 03. I wish I could get the midi to work right.. it is sending a stream of on off data for some reason and this is after I installed the drivers.. who knows.. but none the less, this thing is incredible. LOVE IT