Two boxes that fill this kob admirably while also covering other odd and distinct territory: the Bastl Softpop II and the Herbs and Stones Liquid Foam. They both have a knack for bubbly, gurgly arpeggiations and, despite looking odd, they aren't really any harder to work with than an actual 303. Sometimes you have to think outside the x0x.
Absolutely amazing and honest video. I hope the video maker comes back and makes more. So far my personal favorite is the Cyclone TT-303 MKII, since it's a faithful recreation, while adding new functionality. It also unjronically had the best Midi implementation I've seen. I'd love to get my hands on the Future Retro options, but those would be more toys than anything
I agree with you that Charanjit Singh "Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat" did not have any influence in creating the Acid house style, but there were others in the House Music scene using the TB-303 before Phuture, also. The difference was, that Phuture made the first recording of a TB-303 while messing with its knobs. After the track was played by Ron Hardy in the Music Box, the track circulated on a mixtape, and people coined the name "Acid" for the before unheard trippy sound. Therefore, DJ Pierre of Phuture is widely recognized as the inventor of Acid House. Still, Charanjit Singh's album is in my opinion musically brilliant and deserves a prominent place in the TB-303's history. Both, the TB-03 and TD-3 sound close enough to satisfy fans of the classic Acid sound. The TB-03 uses ACB (Analog Circuit Behavior) technology to virtually replicate the circuit of the TB-303. Roland engineers sampled the sonic behavior of its electronic components. (Probably a similar technology as it is used in the Sintefex FX8000 Replicator.) This way they replicated the sound of the TB-303 way more accurately than it would be possible with traditional virtual analog synthesis. The interesting part is, that not all TB-303's sound alike. Due to slight differences in the components due to aging and such, they develop their unique sound, which is a beautiful thing. The TB-03 replicates one flavor a TB-303 can sound like. There is one important thing regarding the TD-3. Early units had issues replicating the slides properly. Behringer fixed the issue in later firmware versions. Those, who experience issues with the slides may check for a firmware update. As far as I remember, the update can be performed using Behringer's Sythtribe software. Here are my recommendations for those, who are looking for a good TB-303 clone or replica: 1. DinSync RE-303 (full replica) 2. Abstrakt Instruments Avalon* (part replica, has additional features) 3. Adafruit X0xb0x* (DIY, quality may vary) 4. Behringer TD-3* 5. Roland Aira TB-3* 6. Roland Boutique TB-03 7. Cyclone TT-303 The Donner B1 might also be good, but I haven't heard enough examples of it to recommend it just yet. * = in my personal collection
The parallel development of Singh VS Pierre's work is fascinating, but it's definitely important to point out that one went somewhere and the other lived in obscurity for 30 years heh. I enjoy listening to the Ragas, but most of them are the same exact baseline.
@xinjoy6236 The Avalon is very easy to program and gets closest to the original in sound. Drawback is the price of $1000 (or more on the used market when it's oit of production), but it's also extremely well built. The X0xb0x is also easier to program than the original, prices, sound and built quality vary depending on who built it and what components are used. If you go software, all the top ones are easy to program: AbL 3, Phoscyon 2, Roland Cloud Tb-303 and Acid V have visual step sequences built-in.
@@Engineeer Hi! Thank you for your very interesting details regarding a 303 alternative. I wish it helps other too in this kind of jungle for the quest to the 303! 🙏🙏🙏
@xinjoy6236 it just came to my mind that Behringer has a software editor to program the TD-3 on your PC when connected using USB. The TD-3 is affordable and sounds really good. This said, you may stay away from the -MO version if you're a 303 purist. I didn't use it myself, but I know of some Acid producers who are really hating the sound of it. Heavily molded 303s or clones can sound bad, sometimes.
@@Engineeer I would have to search them again but I believe bilbo baggins was one of them so of course not all the goa artists but some of them.... of course bilbo was on dragonfly records so probably everyone there
Iv been using the Roland t8 lately for the 303 it's a really easy sequencer different from the classic but sounds good not quite a devil fish but still pretty good
I said the same thing.....sadly. I cannot suggest the DB-01 enough. I have a TB-03 and saw this and it was everything I could have thought it was-from drum sounds, the most angry acid I have heard and seamless workflow-my friend...this is slick.
Hard to say if the Shamen, especially on "En-Tact", were influenced by Charanjit Singh. But some of the instrument choices are suspiciously similar to the arrangements on "Ten Ragas.."
The British style you mention briefly might be among the oldest along with the Chicago style; but the 303 really influenced so many genres all across the globe. Like New beat in Belgium (where I live) or Goa Trance in India. It was used in pop records in the 80s but is also still popular on the most underground of raves in the modern age. Truly a machine beloved by all! I'll keep an eye on this series :D
It's a matter of taste if the 777 is the "correct answer". Other clones are getting much closer to the original TB-303 sound, though. For me personally, the "correct answer" is the Abstrakt Instruments Avalon.
@@worldofmuu Excellent choice. Is he actually making new batches again? It probably will take quite a while till you get it, though. In the meantime, you may grab yourself a Behringer TD-3 to haul you over. 😀
Nice comparison. One nitpick/suggestion for the future: you could have just referred to each machine by the maker, not the model name. Every time you said TB-03, or TD-3, I had to look at the screen to see which one you we’re talking about! // Nice demo sequences, too. I’m grooving, even through all the repetitiveness. Which is why I’m about to order one of these things-when the groove is this strong even though it’s the same thing for ten minutes, you know it’s powerful. I’m only halfway through this demo, so I don’t even know which machine I’m about to buy…. I hope it’s the cheapest….
Two boxes that fill this kob admirably while also covering other odd and distinct territory: the Bastl Softpop II and the Herbs and Stones Liquid Foam. They both have a knack for bubbly, gurgly arpeggiations and, despite looking odd, they aren't really any harder to work with than an actual 303. Sometimes you have to think outside the x0x.
Your love and knowledge for the Acid culture made this video even better !!
The ACID CULTURE....holy fuck...this comment is cringeworthy.
Absolutely amazing and honest video. I hope the video maker comes back and makes more. So far my personal favorite is the Cyclone TT-303 MKII, since it's a faithful recreation, while adding new functionality. It also unjronically had the best Midi implementation I've seen. I'd love to get my hands on the Future Retro options, but those would be more toys than anything
I agree with you that Charanjit Singh "Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat" did not have any influence in creating the Acid house style, but there were others in the House Music scene using the TB-303 before Phuture, also. The difference was, that Phuture made the first recording of a TB-303 while messing with its knobs. After the track was played by Ron Hardy in the Music Box, the track circulated on a mixtape, and people coined the name "Acid" for the before unheard trippy sound. Therefore, DJ Pierre of Phuture is widely recognized as the inventor of Acid House. Still, Charanjit Singh's album is in my opinion musically brilliant and deserves a prominent place in the TB-303's history.
Both, the TB-03 and TD-3 sound close enough to satisfy fans of the classic Acid sound. The TB-03 uses ACB (Analog Circuit Behavior) technology to virtually replicate the circuit of the TB-303. Roland engineers sampled the sonic behavior of its electronic components. (Probably a similar technology as it is used in the Sintefex FX8000 Replicator.) This way they replicated the sound of the TB-303 way more accurately than it would be possible with traditional virtual analog synthesis. The interesting part is, that not all TB-303's sound alike. Due to slight differences in the components due to aging and such, they develop their unique sound, which is a beautiful thing. The TB-03 replicates one flavor a TB-303 can sound like.
There is one important thing regarding the TD-3. Early units had issues replicating the slides properly. Behringer fixed the issue in later firmware versions. Those, who experience issues with the slides may check for a firmware update. As far as I remember, the update can be performed using Behringer's Sythtribe software.
Here are my recommendations for those, who are looking for a good TB-303 clone or replica:
1. DinSync RE-303 (full replica)
2. Abstrakt Instruments Avalon* (part replica, has additional features)
3. Adafruit X0xb0x* (DIY, quality may vary)
4. Behringer TD-3*
5. Roland Aira TB-3*
6. Roland Boutique TB-03
7. Cyclone TT-303
The Donner B1 might also be good, but I haven't heard enough examples of it to recommend it just yet.
* = in my personal collection
The parallel development of Singh VS Pierre's work is fascinating, but it's definitely important to point out that one went somewhere and the other lived in obscurity for 30 years heh. I enjoy listening to the Ragas, but most of them are the same exact baseline.
I wonder which one is the most ergonomic to use and the closest to original sound or beyond!
@xinjoy6236 The Avalon is very easy to program and gets closest to the original in sound. Drawback is the price of $1000 (or more on the used market when it's oit of production), but it's also extremely well built. The X0xb0x is also easier to program than the original, prices, sound and built quality vary depending on who built it and what components are used.
If you go software, all the top ones are easy to program: AbL 3, Phoscyon 2, Roland Cloud Tb-303 and Acid V have visual step sequences built-in.
@@Engineeer Hi! Thank you for your very interesting details regarding a 303 alternative. I wish it helps other too in this kind of jungle for the quest to the 303! 🙏🙏🙏
@xinjoy6236 it just came to my mind that Behringer has a software editor to program the TD-3 on your PC when connected using USB. The TD-3 is affordable and sounds really good. This said, you may stay away from the -MO version if you're a 303 purist. I didn't use it myself, but I know of some Acid producers who are really hating the sound of it. Heavily molded 303s or clones can sound bad, sometimes.
Dude the Erica Bassline is not a TB 303 clone.
No but it's a evolution of the acid machines. Modern 303
43:11 … so, which unit kicks in here? The TD-3? I’m wondering because you’d been talking about the Erica for a while beforehand. Thanks!
Pretty sure it is the TD-3.
Now you just need the Nubass and the Roland AIRA TB-3 (touch screen one)
the indian guy doing the ragas WAS heard by artists that later on started the goa trance genre which is actually closer to the tb303 ragas than acid.
Interesting. Do you have links about this?
@@Engineeer I would have to search them again but I believe bilbo baggins was one of them so of course not all the goa artists but some of them.... of course bilbo was on dragonfly records so probably everyone there
The reverb and delay on the TB-03 totally suck and are useless.
Iv been using the Roland t8 lately for the 303 it's a really easy sequencer different from the classic but sounds good not quite a devil fish but still pretty good
I want the Erica db01.... but how many more mono synths does one person need?
I said the same thing.....sadly. I cannot suggest the DB-01 enough. I have a TB-03 and saw this and it was everything I could have thought it was-from drum sounds, the most angry acid I have heard and seamless workflow-my friend...this is slick.
"YES! YES! YES! YES! NOOO!" - Dan.
GART DAMMMNIT
Hard to say if the Shamen, especially on "En-Tact", were influenced by Charanjit Singh. But some of the instrument choices are suspiciously similar to the arrangements on "Ten Ragas.."
The British style you mention briefly might be among the oldest along with the Chicago style; but the 303 really influenced so many genres all across the globe. Like New beat in Belgium (where I live) or Goa Trance in India. It was used in pop records in the 80s but is also still popular on the most underground of raves in the modern age. Truly a machine beloved by all! I'll keep an eye on this series :D
It seeded quite a tree!
A tip : you can watch movies on kaldrostream. I've been using them for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.
@Aron James yea, have been using KaldroStream for months myself :)
LOL. "And switch". No bloody difference. Checks to see if it's April 1st. Nice A/B.
great performance, I have the Roland and the Erica Bassline and they are perfect partners
pH lower than 7.0 is acid 🤓 The lower the more acid 😆
The accent on your tb-03 must be broken because it definitely works on mine.
The correct answer is the Future Retro 777
It's a matter of taste if the 777 is the "correct answer". Other clones are getting much closer to the original TB-303 sound, though. For me personally, the "correct answer" is the Abstrakt Instruments Avalon.
@@Engineeer Probably. I have an Avalon on order anyway.
@@worldofmuu Excellent choice. Is he actually making new batches again? It probably will take quite a while till you get it, though. In the meantime, you may grab yourself a Behringer TD-3 to haul you over. 😀
@@Engineeer Final batch is due end of january. I think the FR777 and phoscyon will keep me til then.
Mate, u made best vid about DB01 on yt. U kept me in decision of buyin this shit ❤️🔥
Totally agree. Now I want one :)
Nice comparison. One nitpick/suggestion for the future: you could have just referred to each machine by the maker, not the model name. Every time you said TB-03, or TD-3, I had to look at the screen to see which one you we’re talking about! // Nice demo sequences, too. I’m grooving, even through all the repetitiveness. Which is why I’m about to order one of these things-when the groove is this strong even though it’s the same thing for ten minutes, you know it’s powerful. I’m only halfway through this demo, so I don’t even know which machine I’m about to buy…. I hope it’s the cheapest….
DB-01 is not a 303 clone lol
I agree. Though, DB-01 is a cool acid synth in its own right. So is the Korg Volca Bass. ;)
speak too much !!!
Josh, wink is a name I haven’t heard in like 20 years