TB-303

TB-303: Bass Synthesizer and Sequencer

The TB-303 is a bass synthesizer and sequencer produced by Roland in the early 1980s. It became popular in electronic and dance music for its distinctive resonant filter and sequencing capabilities.

What is TB-303?

The TB-303 is a bass synthesizer and sequencer produced by Roland Corporation in 1981. It was originally marketed to guitarists as a bass accompaniment synthesizer for practice sessions. However, it became most famous for its use in electronic dance music, particularly acid house in the late 1980s.

The TB-303 features an analog oscillator-based sound generator and a step sequencer. It produces a range of bass and lead sounds featuring a distinctive resonant low-pass filter that gives acid lines their squelchy characteristic. The built-in sequencer allows for programming basslines and riffs that gave birth to the signature acid sound.

While initially a commercial failure, the TB-303 was embraced by underground electronic music producers in the US and Europe in the mid to late 80s. The squelchy resonance of the filter and the hypnotic sequencer patterns are the hallmarks of acid house, techno, and other electronic dance genres. Legendarily used by artists like Phuture, Richie Hawtin, and Fatboy Slim, the TB-303 played a major role in the development of dance music as we now know it.

Modern software emulations of the TB-303 aim to capture its analog warmth and quirky sequencer programming while adding features like MIDI support, parameter automation, and polyphony. However, many producers still prize original TB-303 units for their imperfections and hand-crafted sound.

TB-303 Features

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