Erica Synths' Bassline DB-01 is an analog monophonic desktop synthesizer with sequencer and a very charismatic sound. The completely analog sound gets its foundation from an oscillator with three waveforms (sawtooth, triangle, square), a noise generator and a transistor-based suboscillator. Two additional BBD lines (bucket brigade circuits) in the oscillator section enrich the basic sound with emulated VCO tuning and sounds that you rather expect from a polysynth. To process the spectrum, a distortion and a lowpass/bandpass switchable filter is provided, which is sound-wise oriented to Polivoks and is included in Erica Synths' Acidbox. The Erica Synths' Bassline DB-01 synthesizer is rounded out by two decay envelopes for VCF and VCA, an LFO with multiple waveforms and a CV input with attenuator further increase the modulation fun.
The clearly arranged sequencer with Accent and Slide, among other things, provides an authentic TB-303 feeling. A total of 128 patterns with a length of up to 64 steps can be programmed. Extra functions such as shuffle, arpeggio and random add an unbelievable amount of value to working with sequences and ensure that you never get bored.
On the connection side, the Erica Synths Bassline DB-01 is fully equipped with inputs and outputs for MIDI, clock and CV/Gate. Extra CV inputs for cutoff and FM enhance the modulation possibilities.
DB01 saves the day. I wanted a bass synth that would respond to 4PPQN/16th note click/trigger so that I can send it swing... having discovered the hard way that the behringer TD-3 only accepts 2PPQN 8th note and cannot do swing. I search for a alternative and found the DB01. The sound is great and the polivox filter preserves the bass when the resonance is boosted, unlike the moog Minitaur which loses all bass as soon as resonance is past 9 o’clock. The DB01 sequencer is great, up to 64 steps.. with a random pattern generator too.. which you can specify limits over generated parameters for accent, slide, mod, pitch env, probability on, probability play, gate length, note.... wow.. or you can record parameters in, or set them per step.. impressed yet? Only minor con is a lack of volume knob.. but It’s also got a band pass filter, which if you set the cut off at its highest, then flick from LP into BP, it acts as a mute as there is nothing up that high frequency wise. But it still would have been nice to have volume.. I can live without it though.. and it’s really does sound great.. triangle wave and a small amount of sub mixed in delivers a soft bass for those who need it and the saw wave and square wave are both fat. I am now looking at Erica’s other products.
First of all; a speedy delivery by dv247.
Having bought various bass snyths in the past, I find this DB-01 just that much different - in a good way. The sound, lows and high, cut through very well. You get 1 to 64 steps to play with, which you won't find on many 303 clones. In addition, the DB-01 offers some interesting randomization (Notes, Modulation, Slide, Accent). The sub Oscillator together with the option to detune and dialing in overdrive shows this instrument in designed and tested by people who love electronic music. One star less for operation, but that's only because there are some hot-keys you have to remember - but at least you get some direction from the small display. Overall an amazing, well build, bassline synth at a very reasonable price.