The TD-3-MO from Behringer is a clone of the famous Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer with "Devil Fish modification", whose bubbling and screaming sound has captivated generations of musicians, DJs and revelers. Probably the most widely used sound in electronic music, it uses surprisingly few controls and really comes alive with its internal sequencer. Instead of the distortion effect of the TD-3, the TD-3-MO has all the features of the infamous circuit expansion. furthermore, the filter can be controlled via MIDI.
History & Hype
Originally, the TB-303, along with the TR-606 drum machine (both made by Roland), was intended to replace drums and Bass in a solo entertainer context, allowing musicians to practice without band members present. However, this target group did not feel addressed and thus the TB-303 ended up with disco house DJs and producers, who linked the bass machine with a drum computer and thus created countless tracks that are legendary then and now. In the 90s with the emerging Techno wave many producers wanted to call a "303" their own, which was unfortunately reserved for only a few due to the then already increased second-hand market prices and the low availability. So numerous manufacturers took up the cause and published a considerable number of clones in soft- and Hardware. Sometimes the sequencer was successful, sometimes the sound generation, but many times the result was so independent that it was a lot of things, just not a 303.
As Fatboy Slim put it so simply and aptly: "Everybody needs a 303!
Modded Out
What Behringer describes with „Modded Out“ is nothing less than the "Devil Fish Modification", probably the most famous circuit extension of the cult bass machine. Instead of a simple distortion, there are some extras that catapult the sound of the 303 into completely different spheres. The main oscillator is supplemented by a sub-oscillator. Envelopes, accent behaviour and slide time can now be adjusted in detail thanks to six additional controls and offer an extended control range upwards and downwards. With Overdrive and Muffler two options are now on board to add more hardness and aggressiveness to the rich basic sound. Filter FM doses the effect of the oscillator on the cutoff parameter and Filter Tracking adjusts how much the filter follows the played pitch. If you know the acid classic "Higher State Of Consciousness" by Josh Wink, you know what's possible here. The TD-3-MO is rounded off by numerous control voltage inputs and outputs that can be perfectly combined with a Eurorack modular system or a semi-modular synthesizer.
Sequencer
The iconic sequencer provides access to 64 patterns, each up to 16 steps long, and Song Mode. The indispensable and characteristic commands Accent and Slide are of course on board. In addition, there is the possibility to transpose patterns. Thanks to the Randomize function, the TD-3-MO lets you throw together new patterns at the touch of a button, providing a constant source of inspiration and variation.
Behringer TD-3-MO - 'Modded Out' Edition
Behringer TD3 MO Modded Out Sound Demo (no talking)
Features:
Manufacturer:
Behringer
Construction / Number of Keys:
Desktop without keyboard
Great product , hooked up to tb303 and pulsar and it’s taken my music to another level . Everything about it is great ,sound ease of use wish I’d had it sooner!
I've had all the clones and a real 303 and the MO really hits the spot in terms of performance vs price.
I think the base sounds is a bit closer to a 303 than the regular TD-3 was but with way more flexibility from the extra controls. You can really exaggerate different aspects of the sound but to be honest it does straightforward acid sounds really really well.
It's the best of all worlds, a pleasant surprise and a keeper. Cheap enough to add another at some point too.
Sound
Features
Operation
Craftsmanship
Price/Performance
0 from 0 found this review helpful
You have already rated this review.
Was this review helpful?
You have already reported this review.
Great, flexible usability with CVs, MIDI, and USB.
It's better than the last one, the modular inputs especially are great and the resistance and quality on the knobs and chassis quality have all gone up a notch
