Behringer TD3 vs Roland TB03 - A "Talkative" Comparison

This is a "talkative" comparison, because this 2 machines are so similar but also so different. And i'll show you why.
TIMETABLE
-0.00 - "Dream 13" by Annette audio intro
-1.03 - Hello There!
-1.27 - Intro Explanations
-1.57 - Filter
-3.53 - Resonance
-4.46 - Considerations About the Filter
-6.50 - Envelopes
-8.15 - Decay
-9.15 - Sequencing TD3
-11.00 - Accents on TD3
-12.45 - Sequencing TB03
-13.40 - Accents on TB03
-14.30 - Accents on both
-16.00 - Slides
-18.20 - More Sequencing
-22.14 - Legato
-25.10 - Distortion on TD3
-27.40 - Distortions on TB03 (and Reverb and Delay)
-30.23 - Copy Patterns
-31.05 - Randomize Patterns
-33.00 -Build Quality And Connectivity
-34.15 - Midi Channel and Clock Settings on TD3 (without SynthTool)
-35.10 - Interactions with Daws
-36.10 - TD3 with Ableton Live (Explanation only)
-36.30 - TB03 with Ableton Live (Explanation only)
-37.05 - Conclusions
-37.55 - Thoughts (and a bit of a fanboy cryout)
-39.35 - Ending
This was long and tough to made. It took me 2 weeks, meanwhile i lost my Mackie Mixer (he died out in the middle of the video, and so i had to do that all again, f**k)...
And now i need a new mixer...
This "hobby" is making my wallet bleed costantly :D
I hope it was worth the effort.
Please write your thoughts, don't forget to share, subscribe, and if yoy have any particular gear you want me to review, we can arrange a crowdfund on BuymeaCoffee, so with a lil effort from everybody we can make this channel grow. I also like the idea of review a gifted thing and then gift it into a giveaway, and many other things like that, things that can help spread the Virus of knowledge and music.
Here's the link: www.buymeacoffee.com/x9v4ptP
Comment, Share, Subscribe, Play.
And may the Winter of Love be with you!

[@elsongs]

I also own both. I was going to sell one of them, but each of them seems to have what the other lacks. In short, the TD-3 is better for acid lines and the TB-03 is better for * BASS * lines. Also, if guitarists can own like 6 Stratocasters or 3 Les Pauls, then I can certainly own two TB-303 clones :)

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

I totally agree with You!

[@xdeville1]

you can never have enough tb 303 clones ; )

[@ohstirfry]

elsongs one should never limit them selves to one 303. Two 303s live recording at the same time is as powerful as rhythm n lead guitarists in rock n roll.

[@_EightySix]

@Mee Omi explain

[@holdnent]

Mee Omi k

[@Zeal808]

Such an awesome comparison video 🔥 love how you program

[@dan_rtype]

This video convinced me to get a TD-3 even though I owned a tb-03. So happy I did.

[@xisotopex]

thanks for the video, i am glad people take the time to do these things....

[@mikeprice25]

Listening to the intro where they are both playing... I'd want both playing at all times. That's such a gnarly sound

[@Johnnyhaag79]

Superb video!! I’ll be ordering my td3 shortly!!

[@benmast7089]

Nice comparison! I have the yellow TD-3 in my possession for a few days. What a beast in sound. Have done a comparison with the TB-03 myself, they work well together. The TB-03 is indeed a bit darker in sound. The TD-3 pure analog sound that the purists may understand. They are like brothers from another mother. Now back making music✌🏻

[@justinbeck4197]

Fun comparison. Nicely stated. I have a real TB303 and TD3... I love the TD... great price..really feels like the real thing. Good fun all around.

[@Mr_Dia-Tribe]

Great stuff Roby behringer have done a fantistic job here for to long these type of machines have been out of reach for most sain people but now thanks to behringer these machines are now in the hands of the people that started it all poor people long live that acid sound thank you behringer i have ordered mine

[@papabois5001]

This was great. Thanks. Salute

[@rizdraver]

The TD-3 has that 5% more which seems miniscule. But that 5% means everything in actually capturing that magical 'it' factor of the OG 303. The squealch and the crunchiness of true analog distortion really shines.

[@shaypah6924]

its a good comparison! My only qualm is : they are slightly tuned differently by default in your test, meaning playing both of them causes phases. The best way around that issue would have been to put the tune knob on max left for both, so you're sure you have the same pitch, otherwise it's a little deceptive, since difference pitches will have different harmonics. Thanks for putting in the time to make this though! :)

[@lesterfalcon1350]

For the TD-3 'Tune' in the manual says "one approximately one octave either side of centre", but my centre reads as C, but far left reads as a very sharp C# and my far right reads as a very sharp G#. Both oscillator types with res on zero and filter fully open.

[@gregbutler7172]

Anyone know if you loose any features / connectivity issues by connecting the TD3 instead of tb03 to Rolands Dj808 controller?

[@Madyetmellow]

I am liking my TD-3 and it’s found a place along side all my other clones. It certainly won’t replace them, but it does compliment them beautifully :)

[@3lysium1]

Madyetmellow would be interested to hear how you think it complements, they sound so similar why would you need more than one?

[@3lysium1]

Am currently torn between these two

[@Madyetmellow]

3lysium1 they do sound very similar, but there’s a few things I prefer with the other clones. Take the Roland TB-3 which has way more voices than the standard acid square/saw with separate banks for leads, basses and effects which adds so much more than just acid tones. The Roland TB-03 is a bit different as they’re pretty much identical sound wise. The reason I do like the TB-03 is the build is far superior to the TD-3 imo. It’s smaller, heavier and far more solid. Also being able to switch between step/original programming mode. Plus the fact that you can run the TB-03 on batteries and it has a built in speaker. With the Behringer I am chained to at least a sound source and power supply. Absolutely not knocking Behringer as it’s a superb bit of kit and at way under half the price of a TB-03 it’s probably the best entry point to making pure acid. If you want more options for a similar price then TB-3 has more options sonic wise. Personally my favourite it the TB-03 as the build quality and portability is awesome. 1 negative I do have with the Behringer and this is probably 100% user error, but I find that square sounds better to my ears on the TB-03. With the right accents and slides I can make it sound super wet, but I am really struggling to get the same out of the TD-3 in square. That could purely be down to me though. I have heard they have just released a new firmware update. Whichever one you choose I think you’ll be happy with the results :)

[@3lysium1]

Madyetmellow thank you so much for this full reply. You are just bathing in acid! I want it sounding authentic so bit concerned the TD-3 will sound a bit cheap but it may just be that the sound is just different rather than inferior.

[@Madyetmellow]

3lysium1 sound quality is fine across all of them imo. The whole analog/digital thing is a bit of a nonsense is certain situations. If you’re creating stuff in a DAW by the time you’ve messed with filters, effects etc and mixed it down you’d find it hard to tell between any of them in a finished track. If you have the money I would probably go for the TB-03 just for build and portability. The sound is great on all of them. Each has their own pro’s and con’s which is why I think they all compliment each other nicely. Whatever you choose you will have a lot of fun with it 😉👍

[@Imetalman2000]

I love my TD-3! It was an impulse buy because it was so affordable. Now I’m trying to decide what color I want next.

[@wirehack7]

yellow :)

[@GospelSami]

I have a TD3 and am happy with it, but i am going to safe for a TB03. Dont know why most people prefer the Behringer, the Roland has somehow more character i think. Listen at 21.55 where the Roland TB03 allmost start to sound like a drummachine instead of a bass line synth. That is just like an ultimate techno kickdrum hitting your head full throttle . You cant get that from the Behringer......

[@skdamico13]

I agree!! I thought I was crazy and the only one that thought this. The low end and the smoothness of the Roland is insanely good. I have both. TD-3 first, then I was disappointed in the lack of low end and some tuning issues with the tune pot, so I bought the tb-03 and I’m super satisfied.

[@Asdrubale01]

Roland a mani basse!✌

[@SanplerVarondaro]

muy buen video amigos saludos desde Baja California

[@Flashback_Jack]

Definite sonic difference between the two of them aside from the cutoff filter being a bit more open on the TD-3. The notes seem to blend into one another more smoothly on the TB--it sounds "warmer" in a sense, more liquid in a way. I quite like it. I already have two 303s, an original and the TD, but one day I might consider grabbing a TB-03 for the extra features.

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

Somewhat i agree. The TB03 can be smooth as silk. And the sequencer it's an Absolute blast, to edit the pattern while it's running it's a simple but huge game changer. That's the main reason why i kept both 😆

[@Radio_Activity]

Completely agree. I have the TD-3 but never owned the TB-303. When looking at comparisons between the two I can clearly hear that liquid, fluid sound of the TB-303. It's not there on the TD-3. As you say, the notes blend better as well and it sounds more rythmic and musical to me.

[@ryanmoran8366]

The TD-3 is less than HALF the price of the Digital Boutique. Thats more than enough for me to make my decision. I've watched several comparison videos now, and the TD-3 is 99.5% BANG ON. And you can't beat that distortion either! For those who want it to sound 99.9% like the TB-303, you can adjust the filter trim pot slightly to "darken" the overall sound which gets it that extra speck closer. Either way, the TD-3 is an absolute STEAL!!!! Cant wait for the RD-6!!!!!!!!!

[@NatLifeSounds]

ABL can kick ass even original TB-303) what the reason to buy TD-3 or TB-3?) just hands on control - nothing more lol

[@DBaunz]

@@NatLifeSounds sounds like you never had a TB-303 or you woudn't be spreading such bullshit.

[@mickeybreezy]

Does being battery powered making it totally portable factor in enough to justify the price of say a used tb-03 vs the behringer? The Roland is still more expensive in that example but that portability seems killer.

[@ryanmoran8366]

@@mickeybreezy Thanks for the reply :) I will still end up buying a TD-3 for sure cuz they're affordable and amazing. I just think that if Roland could make them battery powered in the early 80's, it should be no sweat for Behringer to make them battery powered in 2020 :D

[@mickeybreezy]

@@ryanmoran8366 Totally agree.

[@sargeant1hundred]

Very helpful!

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Star Wars Cantina music in reverse. Very nice. Good review. thanks.

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

Yes i had to reverse It for copyright claim... Thank u 4 your feedback!

[@user-pd5te4de6u]

daym you are a legend can I be your friend- dope video watched the whole thing and very entertaining - still not sure which one to buy but you made researching it fun. Copped the Behringer 909 clone the other week and its been sick, now to add 303?!

[@ezassegai4793]

is the td3 slightly out of tune orsomething? it sounds a bit sharp

[@gianniocchi2259]

Ciao grande! Alla fine dovessi consigliarmi cosa prendere tra le due cosa diresti? Ho visto che la td costa quasi la metà quindi pro e contro di entrambe? Graziee

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

La risposta alla tua domanda la do alla fine di questo video 😆 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2ileK2um7pgbq8

[@vinnyveritas9599]

Man, you warn us at the beginning that the patterns are going to be boring. But they aren't at all, it feels like almost a magic in which anything you do sounds great! Great comparison. I find the TD-3 sounds more or less like an original TB-303 from the 80s while the TB-03 sounds more like its own thing, almost like there's more filter envelope on it, more pluck.

[@JoseGarcia-yh8ui]

hello how did you get connected midi in? thanks

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

Midi out from the TB >>> Midi in on the TD

[@colgiljnr]

Bam Bam at the beginning awesome

[@cellrok]

Thanks for the Video. I have now cancelled my TD-3 pre-order. I already have the TB-03 and it has better features. I program in "classic" mode and the display showing the step number is really helpful, i just realized.. Also the MIDI support is very valuable in the studio. I like to add a LFO on the Cutoff and with Behringer all of that is missing. The sound-differences don't really matter to me. On the record people recognize 303-type sound with both and that's all that matters :)

[@Eightball69]

Totally agree, in the mix its all relative. If you're making actual tracks it's really not an issue one or the other, it's all about the music 👌 and people dancing don't really care

[@mcharbo8726]

How do you add an LFO to the cutoff?????

[@degrader81]

my problem with the tb03 was that when you open the cutoff it lose a lot of timbre and start to sound worse than the abl3 vst

[@manitsony6703]

Cutof automation possible.? On Behringer?

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

Nope... It's analog...

[@manitsony6703]

@@RobyUanKeRoby thanks is there any way to use external source to modulate it? Filter part? If can what equipment needed?

[@thestever]

Manit Sony If it has Filter CV in you can modulate it with any CV source. If it has Midi CC you can send control change messages from a DAW or other midi sequencer to modulate the filter cutoff. I think it has both, but im not positive

[@trongersy]

TD-3 for me. 😎🔥🎶💫

[@basiledaudet5774]

I just saw that the digital boutique was 400 bucks. I bought the behringer analog clone for 70 bucks and the classic cheap alesis midiverb rack unit for 60 bucks. But I can understand why some people would buy the boutique… 🙂

[@drewxxdrewxx1046]

Thank you so much for this ! I have two vintage 303's the switches are sticky and make using unbearable. I dont trust anyone to fix it ~ so they sit. I buy the tb-03 and am now back to having fun! You are a 303 master !

[@mcharbo8726]

man that's sad that the machines are just sitting in "need repair mode". Spend the $$$ and get them fixed or get rid of 'em!!!

[@MrW3iss]

Yeah just go get them fixed... People can do it, they're not gonna fuck em up. They break another component by accident, they replace em. I also used to own an original 303, that I messed up trying to replace a pot. It sat for a year before I had someone else fix it in 15 minutes.

[@MontiRock]

the sound of the Roland seems to be... softer. slightly muted. Ther Behringer sounds brighter. If I had the money I'd get both. I would go for the B... but BARELY.

[@Zeal808]

G. Devan Smith I totally agree. Then I found out you can set the filter tone on the Behringer with a screw driver.

[@Eightball69]

Dream 17 by the way 👌

[@TRaddcliff]

tb-03 is a nicer box, but the td-3 seems to squelch more.

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

I agree.

[@TRaddcliff]

@@RobyUanKeRoby great demo! I like how your expression changes when you're hearing something you like in those boxes heh

[@donnychilner8385]

Have both. Td3 sounds more analog. The. Tb03 has audio trigger i like. The td3 has input filter. Just poly them or midi them. Ill keep both and add a 3rd. Never have enough of these.

[@mcharbo8726]

Yeah!!! I have TB-03 & x0xb0x. Can't wait to get the TD-3 to finish it all off. Full harmony lines! TM404 style :D

[@xsm5525]

'td3 sounds more analog' well it should do! cause it IS analog :) roland messed up big time trying to clone it digitally. the TD3 is the clear winner, and when you apply the recent DIY mods people have done for it like 'accent slew' etc... well, you basically got your tb303!

[@Yannleon_video]

Nice. I think I prefer the Cutoff/Resonance on the Roland. PS: Seems like the Behringer is out of tune... or the Roland one.

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

I just checked again with my tuner, and they are both perfectly tuned. It's the filter on the TD3 that when full open sound like a tone or a semitone upper. Different frequencies range can do this "joke", and that's new for me too. Thanks for your feedback!!

[@lectraw3787]

26:24 awesome

[@cresshead]

great video...on later chats in future can you dial down the background music as it's difficult to follow/understand your accent with the music playing in the background...not needed and make it difficult to know what you'rer saying

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

I'll do for shure. Thanks 4 your feedback!

[@donc4238]

@@RobyUanKeRoby Yes, no background music please.

[@JohnDoe-bm9wy]

This was a bit long, but I like that it was all filled with great music. Also, you look like Serj Tankian.

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

"You look like Serj Tankian" is the best appreciation i could ever dream about 😂 thank u for watching!

[@h.jansen7120]

tb03 always sounds nice, but FX Distionen better from behringer! behringer out of tune?

[@xisotopex]

do you have a tb303?

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

Yes. In my wet Dreams 😂 i Wish!

[@xisotopex]

@@RobyUanKeRoby the td3 is better than the tb03 correct? closer to the original?

[@xdeville1]

@@xisotopex the td3 is analog, the tb03 is digital.. so i would say the td3 is definetively closer to the original.

[@ezassegai4793]

@@xdeville1 td3 is way brighter than tb303 so the tb03 is closer. Ive heard great things about the tt303 though

[@Plaw01]

Originally owned a TB03 but sold it for a TB3 and then bought a TD3. Have to say there is no comparison as the TD3 literally blows the TB03 out the water. My TB03 had a ridiculous hum via USB and just sounded weedy through the headphone jack. Save your cash and get the TD3

[@ohstirfry]

TD-3 sounds warmer/fatter the TB-03 sounds crisper/sharper both quality, and will compliment each other nicely

[@johnbaker1988]

Ive ordered the yellow one. what a deal £132 Real Analog lol and I think it sounds better than tb303 and tb03 haha i thank behringer didn't just want to clone the 303. they out did it sound wise!! and cv inputs Sweet deal! 😂

[@johnscott8955]

If I knew nothing but the sound I'd pick the TD-3, simply sounds better to me.

[@seravenerdi]

In 1987 I bought a used 303 for $75 USD. When I brought it home I thought it sounded like a chicken ass. So I sold it what I paid for it, $75 ! And today, everyone like the chicken ass...except me !

[@floridahiker1503]

I think I would save up for the Roland. I always end up having problems with analog.

[@DaZeDmerlin]

What problems, if you might elaborate?

[@floridahiker1503]

@@DaZeDmerlin . Dead oscillators and needing recallibrations. Although not a technical problem needing a warm up time and oscillator drift with vco analog ia a disapointment. Two of my favorite artists use the Deepmind which has dco oscillators. The Deepmind doesn't have oscillators drift and they have said great things about them.

[@georgejanho30]

Almost no different in the saw wave... but the square is a really big difference. The original has so more more low.

[@Decoy303]

I said it once and I'll say it again the Behringer sounds just fine and brighter and also has a better filter than the Roland. I understand a lot of people want to go towards the Roland for nostalgic purposes but to me I don't feel like that that's the right thing to do you have to go at the machine that just performing better in the Behringer to me just is simply out performing the Roland.

[@emmanuel_miro]

Ma perché in inglese?😭

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

Becaus of the internationality that Is I SOLDI BRO

[@PeterMoberg]

The TB sounds digital at times. For half the price the TD is a no brainer

[@zenzenzenzen3931]

It seems u need to buy both lol

[@godareyou]

Maybe my imagination, but the TD-3 sound like, more fat and agresive and less plastic.

[@roll337]

I prefer the sound of the td-3

[@Xakutor]

I prefer the sound of the tb-03, especially the square.

[@roll337]

@@Xakutor tb-03 sounds shit compared

[@Ferrichrome]

I must admit I prefer the sound of the TB-03, that square wave is killer.

[@RaffRobinson]

@14min Td-3 kill the Tb03

[@Or-Saar]

There is no ROLAND and no behringer Everything belongs to random shareholders and investors who care none about music or musicians, they have one thing in mind - quick sales and lowering production costs.

[@Asdrubale01]

Se volevi fare la parte del complottista di turno, totalmente disfattista e pessimista di mala fede, ci sei riuscito benissimo. Però la realtà è un’altra, non è assolutamente come hai detto. Altrimenti dovrebbe fare tutto schifo. Ti fa tutto schifo?

[@goednieuwskrantje-nl]

You know something is very messed when Roland does the worse clone of the Roland original. ;)

[@Asdrubale01]

Che palle questa risonanza, la tieni sempre a manetta! Sdubbia.

[@RobyUanKeRoby]

Sbubbo Bro

[@Asdrubale01]

@@RobyUanKeRoby Iscritto all'istante fra🤣