Roland’s Boutique TB-03 Bassline is a modern replica of the TB-303 Bassline. In addition to the authentic aural and optical replication Boutique TB-03 Bassline has effects, a display, a trigger input, MIDI In/Out and a USB port for MIDI and audio. The original Roland TB-303 was intrinsically linked to the emerging sound of Acid, House and Techno, filling iconic tracks with distinctive sounds: chirping resonance and creaking basses - all of which are contained within the new Roland Boutique TB-03 Bassline.
Synthesis on the Roland Boutique TB-03 Bassline is based on the original sawtooth and rectangular waveforms, followed by the famous filter and the striking accents. The special step sequencer can also be programmed exactly like the original TB-303. Thanks to its MIDI interface and CV/gate outputs, external instruments and modular synthesizers can also be controlled by this versatile sequencer. Internally 96 patterns and seven tracks/songs can be stored.
This means the Roland Boutique TB-03 could be ahead of the original because distortion and dubby echo effects are indispensable for this typical synthesizer sound. Internal overdrive and delay effects give dry signals some optional processing. Two different distortion effects (overdrive and distortion) and two delay variations (tape echo and digital delay) are available. Instead of a delay effect, a reverb effect can be used.
I do own the real old 303... I had to MIDIfy it, the programming part is broken... But this newly release new 303 beast is a lovely piece of hardware and software.
It is easy to use, MIDI, and it even sends some MIDI notes when you turn the knobws.
You can even play with it in your kitchen with the batteries and embeddded tiny speaker.
I love it, ready to y the new 909 as well ;)
Sound wise, it is a little different that the real one. But it takes a very good ear and oscilloscope to actually measure the difference. So much fun... and so much better than the TB3 for those who want a 303 clone