Roland Aira TB-3 Touch Bassline: 1 Year Honest Unbiased Review

[@Sadlive]

I´m still in love with this beatiful machine...00:10 uaahhh....Pete. 😀🎶

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Haha yeah, I really never used to like them, but now I think I need a few more Michael...!! 😅

[@Sadlive]

@@Studio-solutions-com You should my friend😀🎶

[@MaximilianoSchneider]

Great and honest video! I have both the TB-3 and the TB-03. I bought the TB-3 in 2016 and I was a bit lost maybe because my first contact with something similar to a 303 was ReBirth and other VST clones, and maybe I was expecting something similar to the TB-303. Pretty soon after the Boutique came out and I bought it and I loved it because was so close to the original one, but smaller and with a better metal build case, USB audio and FX's, and even the original patter programming mode plus a modern one, and I was thinking to sell the TB-3 but luckily I didn't. My TB-3 was sleeping in the closet for years until I decided to rediscover it, and finally I fell in love with the TB-3. Both machines are pretty different but clearly you can do a lot of more with the TB-3. Yes the TB-03 looks similar to the TB-303, but the TB-3 is clearly a modern professional-oriented evolution of the 303, and pretty fun to use as well. Now I play with both and I'm super happy for not selling it :)

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Haha yes! I got the TB-03 first just because it was the closest to the original, but then still got the TB-3 anyway because I use an MX-1... and hated it... lol As a cure for GAS during lickdown I stopped watching new gear reviews and rewatched old reviews for gear I already had and fell in love with the TB-3... its far from perfect, some of the functions it does have don't work like they could, but it's just a great all round machine.

[@MaximilianoSchneider]

@@Studio-solutions-com Yeah you know I'm learning about GAS, and I found that only watching reviews of gear you already have, it kicks your interest on those machines back and you'll find out that you don't need something new, you only need to learn how to squeeze the gear you have using your creativity and focusing on making music. I almost fall in the trap of GAS but luckily I stop on early stages and I started producing a lot of tracks using the gear I already have :)

[@MaximilianoSchneider]

@@Studio-solutions-com and actually I found your video looking for reviews of my old TB-3 and now I love it more :)

[@Studio-solutions-com]

@@MaximilianoSchneider haha that's great!! It was doing that and learning about the (admittedly limited) pressure sensitivity that made me appreciate it more lol

[@waynesilverman3048]

I think its so good for psych trance .its my first roland to go with my korgs .roland have a incredible sound

[@rodmorrison47]

I love mine. I'm not a great acid head but it does a lot more than that. OK, it's just a preset synth with very limited access to the mod envelope, but it sounds really good and it just works - midi from TR-8 into this and away we go. Easy to program, fun to noodle with, the touch screen doesn't bother me at all and I actually quite like the look of it (I may be in the minority here, but hey). Great little box.

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Nail on the head...! I love the way it's so great at multitasking for synth and other bass sounds!

[@waynesilverman3048]

Psych trance i use it for along with my korgs

[@MarkRigler]

There's a couple of editors where you can create your own sounds

[@Studio-solutions-com]

There's a few out there yep! I've never used them though? Have you?

[@MarkRigler]

@@Studio-solutions-com yes, can't remember the name but there's a lot of hidden features and functions

[@twotofourstudios224]

5 seconds in and I spit my coffee out through my nose! The rest of the video was good too! Oh I have some thoughts on ACID!

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Sorry about that Sunny!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@twotofourstudios224]

@@Studio-solutions-com It's cool, I can always use a good laugh!

[@Studio-solutions-com]

@@twotofourstudios224 Glad you liked it...! And I'm glad I kept that bit in... lol

[@twotofourstudios224]

@@Studio-solutions-com It was funny cause we all have done it before!

[@rhampton1914]

Ahhh,,,one slip of the Finger and it's OMG.....lol...Awesome Video..Just love those Acid Bass sounds...Amazing...

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Haha thanks RHampton, always appreciated Reggie!!

[@rowanshiel7240]

As if NOBODY has any thoughts on Acid. ;) Good review.

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Cheers mate...! I dunno... I've totally whited out once...! 🤣

[@cresshead]

it's a cool take on the tb-303, if i could find a cheap s/h one i'd probably add one.

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Hey Steve, I could happily use another couple of these easily...! They're essentially preset boxes, but there's a few presets in there that I absolutely adore... and the touchscreen sequencer is fast and intuitive to use too... definitely worth keeping an eye out for mate, capable of so much more than your average 303 bass machine!

[@daren.t.housse2121]

Nice one Krs i never got one was on my list but never got it :)

[@Studio-solutions-com]

DTH, don't get one...!!! Get two... 😉🤣

[@spacedrifter1961]

This was my second purchase, after the System 1 synth. Like you I found myself playing with it more during lockdown. I still like the keypad. Not perfect but so different from all my other gear. I think it encourages creativity. Edit: ah yes thx, I'd forgotten about the random mode. Will dip into that this weekend.

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Hey Steve...! Have you used it to sequence the System-1 ?? 😉

[@spacedrifter1961]

No. Hadn't thought of that! Does a USB connection work the same as midi?

[@Studio-solutions-com]

In theory it should..? I'm not sure though, but it'd be worth checking...? If not there's always 5-pin to fall back on! I've never gotten around to doing it either but it's on the list to try using the TB-3 as an ext sequencer for it... 32 steps is a good offering even with its limited functions.

[@spacedrifter1961]

I've sequenced the System 1 on many occasions with the Dark Time but in some ways the TB3 in comparison is less fiddly and more user-friendly. I'll let you know how it goes.

[@Studio-solutions-com]

@@spacedrifter1961 I wonder if it could handle a slow sequence triggering arp transposition?? Hmmmm.....

[@robguitarwizard]

You should have dubbed a smash sound when you dropped the thing.

[@Studio-solutions-com]

I think I'll sample the thud and use it as a kick... lol 😆

[@robguitarwizard]

@@Studio-solutions-com Haha.

[@robguitarwizard]

I did acid a few times in the early 90s and my thoughts....? I was largely scared of the inside of my brain.

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Maybe do some more until your comfortable with it or rearranged it how you like...?! 😉 I've always been a big fan of acid 🙂 lol

[@LikelyLoops]

Nice review! The unit sounds good but probably not something I would pick up. The touchscreen doesn't do much for me. However if they are dirt cheap.. maybe worth a try :)

[@Studio-solutions-com]

The touchscreen is awful... BUT... fantastic for jamming basslines into in performance use! Aira is totally geared at being used live, and this thing is just the best for that out of all 303-a-likes lol

[@robguitarwizard]

I do that with all my gear!

[@davidpinto1195]

It´s not an exact recreation, it´s a preset synth

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Oh absolutely, in essence it is a romper with acb elements

[@cherwilliamson6288]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 love it xxxxxxxxx

[@Studio-solutions-com]

Awww thank you...!!! 😊 xxxxxxxx