Educate Yourself - A Brief History Of The Roland TB-303
The Roland TB-303 (TB standing for "Transistor Bass") is a synthesizer and sequencer released by the Roland Corporation in 1982. Its unique "squelchy" sound has resulted in the creation of numerous genres, implanted itself as a part of cultural subconscious of the 1990’s and the rise of rave culture and is still to this day a prime choice to have in any producer's studio.
The intention
Despite being intended for use as a bass synthesizer with the purpose of filling in for bass guitar players, the TB-303's unique sound quickly gained popularity with electronic music producers and became a staple in genres such as acid house and techno - where the resonance from its built in filters were pushed to give the signature squelchy melodies we now just know as “ACID”.
An Early Advertisement for the TB-303 and TR-606 from the Roland Corporation.
Not many synths have had such a significant impact on the history of electronic dance music than Roland’s TB-303. It initially was marketed as a tool to create bass guitar lines, but it quickly gained a following among producers and DJs. The TB-303's unique, futuristic design and simple interface made it accessible to a wide range of musicians.
The TB-303 was designed to be used in conjunction with a Roland TR-606 drum machine. The two devices could be connected via a DIN sync cable (Pre-MIDI!), allowing the TB-303 to play in time with the TR-606. The TB-303's sequencer allowed users to input notes and adjust various parameters, such as pitch and duration, to create patterns. The TB-303's sound was produced by an oscillator that generated sawtooth and square waves, which could be filtered and modulated to create a wide range of sounds.
A Roland TR-606 above the TB-303.
The rise of house & techno
Although not initially successful, the TB-303 gained a cult following in the early 1990s when DJs and producers started using it to create the now house-hold "acid" sound.
Chicago DJs such as DJ Pierre and Phuture began using the TB-303 to produce a new style of house music. This genre was characterized by repetitive, pulsating beats and the distinctive, "squelchy" sound of the TB-303.
Over the pond in the U.K. in the summer of 1988, this sound was to be adopted by the clubs, warehouses and illegal raves that were springing up all over a country that was just discovering ecstasy. British Producers like 808 State and A Guy Called Gerald doubled down on the Acid sound in their productions and this style of House music was dubbed “Acid House” and cities like Manchester with clubs such as the infamous Hacienda became a catalyst for a cultural and musical explosion that is still being felt today.
Hacienda, Manchester 1989
Combined with some of Roland’s other stalwart machines such as the 707, 808 and 909 drum machines, this Chicago sound would be adopted further by European producers who would use faster, driving beats that their American counterparts, leading to what we now know as Acid Techno.
In the US during this time in cities like Detroit however, the already established techno scene saw a wave of producers come to light with tracks that featured heavily the squelchy tones of the TB-303.
One of the most recognisable classics of this era is Higher State of Consciousness by Josh Wink, highlighting another genre spawning from the 303s circuitry, Acid Breakbeat.
The TB-303's simple design and affordable price made it accessible to a wide range of musicians, and it has been used on countless tracks in a variety of genres. It has been used by artists such as The Chemical Brothers, Aphex Twin, and Daft Punk, and became an essential part of every producers set-up.
Credit: We Rave Magazine
Despite its popularity, the TB-303 is not without its limitations. Its sound is relatively simple and can become repetitive if overused. It also has a limited range of controls, which can make it difficult to create more complex sounds.
The TB-303 was in production from 1982 to 1984 and was not a commercial success at the time of its release. However, after the emergence of acid house and other electronic dance music genres in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the TB-303 became highly sought after by collectors and musicians. The demand for the TB-303, combined with its relatively low production numbers, has made it a collector's item and has driven up its price on the secondhand market.
Its popularity had waned by the late 1990s, but it experienced a resurgence in the 2000s, with many electronic musicians continuing to use it in their music. Today, the TB-303 is considered a classic synthesizer and an important part of electronic music history.
The Legacy
In more recent years, Roland have released a number of successor to the device that are influenced by the original TB-303, such as the Roland TB-03 and the Roland AIRA TB-3. These instruments are designed to capture the essence of the TB-303's sound while offering additional features and functionality.
The Aira TB-3 released back in 2016 by Roland.
These reissues have allowed newer generations of musicians to experience the classic TB-303 sound and have helped to keep the legacy of the TB-303 alive.
We have also seen the release of many budget friendly, yet fully convincing “boutique” versions over this past few years such as…
Despite its age, the TB-303 remains a popular and sought-after instrument, with vintage models fetching high prices on the used market.
In conclusion, the Roland TB-303 is a classic synthesizer and sequencer that has had a significant impact on the history of electronic dance music. Its simple design and affordable price have made it accessible to a wide range of musicians, and it continues to be used by artists and producers today. Its distinctive sound has helped to define the sound of various genres and has had a lasting influence on the music industry.
The 303 is an essential for any studio that is pumping out electronic music.
Some other Notable 303 featuring bangers
Want your own 303?
If you want to grab one yourself today getting your hands on an original Roland TB-303 could set you back over £3000! However, fear not as there are many options for every budget and here are a few recommendations;
BEST REPLICA
Roland Boutique TB-03
For hardware, check out the Roland Boutique TB-03 Bass Line. This is the direct successor to the TB-303 and its controls and their arrangement correspond exactly to the original in the new edition.
BUDGET
Behringer TD-3
For those on a budget there is the Behringer TD-3 which you can bag for just £120. This does a fantastic job at recreating the originals circuitry and some even claim for this budget iteration to do a better job at sounding “303” than the TB-303!
VIRTUAL SYNTH
Roland Cloud TB-303
For those looking for a like-for-like virtual instrument version then there is no better than the one from Roland themselves! The Roland Cloud TB 303 was released a few years back along with the majority of all the other Roland machines in digital format. This was initially released as a monthly subscription, however you now can purchase just the 303 for the one-off price £130.