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 Roland TB 303 
  
 

This is THE sound of acid and techno house music! This is a monophonic analog bass synthesizer released in 1982. It features 2 waveforms (ramp or square) and has a simple but excellent VCF filter with resonance, cut-off, and envelope control. There are also knobs to adjust tuning, envelope decay, tempo and accent amount. How does it work? Well, it's not a performance synthesizer because you have to program a pattern of notes and timing info into it (sort of like a drum machine). Patterns can then be linked into songs. For techno and acid, usually a single pattern is continuously played while the performer tweaks the knobs creating an exciting and expressive musical event.

The TB-303 has become one of the most sought after vintage synths ever! It has helped develop and stylize many forms of electronic music including House, Acid, Trance and Ambient. If ever there was a need for a repetitive bassline/groove or an extremely resonant and bubbly sound, the 303 is KING. Truly a unique machine with a very identifiable sound! (Note: These days it's become trendy to dislike the 303. But I don't and you shouldn't either because it is one-of-a-kind and its just got that sound that everyone loves! Fatboy Slim says it best with his song

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