shorthand/abbreviation for the Roland
TB-303 Bassline Synthesizer. Probably the most sought after synthesizer ever, except for maybe the 909. The machine is responsible for an entire genre of electronic music known as Acid (AKA
acid house,
acid techno).
At first glance, the synth looks less than mediocre. They're small, and usually they aren't in great condition because theyre so old (1982-1983). It was originally designed to sound like an actual bass guitar and replace a bass player in a band, but it didn't really do that too well. The
sequencer is a pain to program, and you'd be wasting the rest of the possible sound spectrum if you wanted it to just sound like a bass guitar.
It became popular by using the accent function on certain notes, and tweaking the filter and the accent knob while it plays, creating really
squelchy and random sounding effects.
Nowadays, their price can range from around $800 to $1500. There are emulators and clones, but purists say that only a 303 is a 303.
If you own a
TB-303 and you aren't into Acid (the music of course) then you have two options. No, you can's use it as a
paperweight, although if it is broken you can do that. (who wouldn't want a paperweight that says "computer controlled" on it?)
1. Get yourself a drum machine (
909) and start making acid music.
or (and i'd much rather you choose this instead of choice #1)
2. Sell it to me, in which case you can forget about the price range that is listed above, and I'll take it off your hands for $50.
