TB-303

Software Bass Line

TB-303
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The Sound That Gave Birth to a Movement

With an unmistakable sonic signature brimming with warmth, energy, and character, the Roland TB-303 Bass Line defined the acid house movement of the late 1980s. Widely misunderstood when launched in 1981, the true revolution began several years later when electronic music producers rediscovered the quirky box, unleashing the hypnotic, liquid sound that captivated a generation. The TB-303 Software Bass Line delivers this historic instrument in a DAW plug-in, with circuit-level sonic accuracy and useful modern enhancements.

“Few electronic musical instruments have made an impact as big as the TB-303.”
—DJ Tech Tools
Humble Beginnings

Some instruments are so groundbreaking they create entire musical genres. The TB-303 is one of these influential instruments, but it wasn’t always seen that way. When Roland released the TB-303 in 1981, it was marketed as a computerized bass machine to simulate a traditional bass guitar, but didn’t quite catch on. Later on, inventive electronic musicians discovered the 303, often on the secondhand market, and found new uses for its recognizably fluid low end.

Iconic Status

Using the 303 in new ways, DJ Pierre and Phuture pioneered what came to be known as acid. This new sound ignited other electronic music genres and, like the Roland TR-808’s influence on hip-hop, the TB-303 played an essential role in late ‘80s-early ‘90s rave culture. While we may never really understand why the 303 sound makes people want to dance, there’s no denying its power, influence, and unwavering ability to get a party started.

Plug In Your Own TB-303

The TB-303 Software Synthesizer takes the classic instrument to the next level. Utilizing Analog Circuit Behavior modeling the virtual TB-303 captures the hypnotic tone of the original hardware and forms the perfect complement to the TR-909 and other classic Roland instruments. The iconic interface and signature crunch and squelch of the original are perfectly reproduced, while adding new features which surely would have turned heads back in the day:

Edit Window

The 303’s new editing window is one of the most striking features. For the first time, you can create and edit patterns with a visual interface. With the ability to see the DNA of a preset pattern, you can edit a variation, or start from scratch then step-edit a new pattern, using up to six octaves with user-defined scales, accents, slides, pitch manipulation, and more. The new randomize/generate functions create an endless supply of classic 303 patterns.

Five Play Modes

With five new play modes (Forward/Reverse/FWD&REV/Invert/Random) the TB-303 Software Synthesizer widens the ability to experiment. These new functions allow sonic alchemists to twist and turn the bass, changing direction at will.

More Memory and Manipulation

For the first time, the TB-303 can hold up to 64 patterns and 64 patches per bank. The eight variations of a pattern are still accessible on the UI faceplate. Plus, with 32 preset patterns and 48 unique sounds, the 303 arrives complete with sonic templates for you to explore.

The Secret Panel

A hidden panel on the far-right corner of the 303 unlocks a variety of new tone-coloring features. Explore the expanded circuit modification via the new VCF trim, Vintage Condition, and Master Tune knobs. The onboard effects, including distortion and delay with tempo-sync, are sure to inspire fresh ideas.

Virtual Acid: TB-303 for a New Generation

Roland Cloud’s TB-303 provides the means to emulate the past or lay down brave new pathways. It’s an instrument with a proud history of shaking up the status quo and defying expectations. Use the TB-303 to leave an imprint on tomorrow’s sounds and become part of a lasting musical legacy.

Key Plug-In Features
  • 64 patterns per bank
  • 64 patches per bank
  • 48 preset patches and 32 preset patterns included
  • Eight variations per pattern
  • New graphic edit window for step input, pattern edit, and pattern creation
  • Circuit modification via the new VCF Trim, Vintage Condition, and Master Tune knobs
  • Condition knob adjusts the age and condition of the virtual hardware
  • Overdrive/compressor and delay with tempo sync
  • Pattern drag-and-drop of MIDI/audio data to your DAW
  • Five play modes: Forward, Reverse, Fwd & Rev, Invert, and Random
  • Six-octave spread (C0 to C6)
  • Position locking to DAW
Hardware Integration

Pairing with the TB-03 Roland Boutique synth or the TB-3 Touch Bassline provides hands-on control for the plug-in.

Specifications
Maximum Polyphony
1 voice
Tone Generator
WAVEFORM (Saw, Square)
TUNING
CUT OFF FREQ
RESONANCE
ENV MOD
DECAY
ACCENT
MASTER TUNE
CONDITION
VCF TRIM
Drive
TYPE (OVERDRIVE, DISTORTION, METAL, FUZZ, DRIVE, COMPRESSOR)
TONE
DEPTH
Delay
TYPE (DELAY, PAN DELAY, CHORUS 1, CHORUS 2, FLANGER, DELAY + CHORUS)
TIME
LEVEL
TEMPO SYNC
Step Sequencer
16 steps
8 (1 - 8) variations per 1 pattern
SHUFFLE
SCALE (1/8T, 1/16T ,1/16, 1/32)
PLAY MODE (FORWARD, REVERSE, FWD&REV, INVERT, RANDOM)
RANDOMIZER (GENERATE, MODIFY)
Tune
430.0Hz–450.0Hz
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Memories Per Bank
64 patterns
64 patches
*User can make new user banks.
Plug-In Formats
VSTi 2.4 (64 bit) * Windows only
VSTi 3.6 (64 bit)
AU
AAX
System Requirements (Mac OS)
Minimum Operating System
macOS 10.14
Host Applications 
VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: Audio Units V2 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5 or better
Apple M1 chip
RAM
4 GB or more
Hard Disk
100 MB or more
Display Resolution and Colors
1280 x 800 dots or higher, 16.7 million colors or more
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to Authenticate this software.
System Requirements (Windows)
Minimum Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)

*This does not work with the Windows® RT.
*This does not work with the Windows® Phone.
*This does not work on the virtual machines such as Hyper-V, Virtual PC, or Boot Camp.
Host Applications
VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 2.4/3.6 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5 or better
RAM
4 GB or more
Hard Disk
100 MB or more
Display Resolution and Colors
1280 x 800 dots or higher, 24 bits Full Color or more
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software.
* Although Roland has tested numerous configurations, and has determined that on average, a computer system similar to that described above will permit normal operation of the TB-303 Software Bass Line, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the TB-303 Software Bass Line based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements. This is because there are too many other variables that may influence the processing environment, including differences in motherboard design and the particular combination of other devices involved.

Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
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Downloads

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner’s Manuals