Roland AIRA TB-3 Touch Bassline Synthesizer Demo - Sweetwater Sound

[@synthesis2384]

You can use this to sequence other gear which is probably the best feature. Standalone 32-step sequencer for anything including random patterns, slides, accents, octaves.

[@MonstaMunch101]

You had me at "so this is bassed on the.....". I'm a sucker for a good pun.

[@d_vibe-swe]

Sounds really awesome.

[@ultraxmusic]

I finally bought the TB3 today. I tried the TB3 and TR8 together for a couple hours at the store. I totally ignored the VT3 though, not into vocoders so much LOL... Anyway I was watching out for filter stepping and any digital giveaways, I still remember the MC09 crap that Roland made. But nothing! Great! IMHO the TB3 sounds pretty damn close to the original and has all that you would expect of the original. The slides glides almost human oral noises. I consider myself an analog purist, I also have the original Jupiter-4, SH-1000 and TR-77 Rolands first product.... But for the low cost and closeness to the original, who cares its not a Cyclone Analogic BassBot replica thing. Based on how close to 303 it is, you can tell Roland really worked hard on its "ACB" engine. I am glad I refrained from buying the VOLCA Bass LOL... Now I am saving up for the TR8 which I will get next :)

[@lectraw3787]

The best Roland TB-303 clone, awesome!

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

The more i see them the more i like them and want them! Can you access the sound banks from different midi channels simultaneously?

[@datasoluble]

Yeah this thing rocks. Totally legit way to make acid bass sounds, in a slightly ugly box. In a mix, you wouldn't tell the difference between this and the orig.

[@Engineeer]

Sounds great in the video. I have to test it in the store and see how other patterns sound like.

[@nemisysone]

Dang! First time I saw this, I knew it would be something I would like! Want this!!!!

[@SONICrider]

Awesome tool that will light up the live performance!! Easy 2 use and use it fully integrated in2 Ableton Live (via USB midi and sound)!

[@KalaMollah]

what is the official name of that zig-zag like sound effect which can be heard in this video? it sounds really cool, and I would like to find more similar minimal techno jam sessions for background music!

[@Falkon303]

I think they did a great job modelling it after the real TB, but I'd rather have had a giant metal cutoff knob than a touch pad.

[@korolario]

100% agree, what designers dont seem to understand is that though we're making electronic music, we still want to feel the instrument we're not computer users

[@scandalousbeans2591]

@@korolario EXACTLY

[@rorz999]

This has a cutoff knob though...

[@Falkon303]

@@rorz999 But it's not a GIANT cutoff knob, still better than the real tb's though. I got myself a TD-3, actually sounds pretty slick.

[@suzesiviter6083]

Is there a limit to the size of the giant cut-off knob you could handle?

[@MagicMountainStudio]

nice plutonium watch bro....thanks. also, wondering how to connect Moog Theremini into this aira tb 3 just imagine....such other hookups man

[@isham16]

For the one who missed some controls, it seems the envelop modulation is manageable via the touchscreen. Not sure about decay ? Overall I feel the sound is very good for an emulation. To be compared side by side. Funny product at least (efx seem not so good although)

[@F-Andre]

thanks a lot for the info. my first thought when i saw he new pics was: is that all???

[@MaTaNhy]

3:45 daft punkelicious

[@EverettDudgeon138]

Can you program how many time each pattern repeats when chaining sequences together?

[@vitomorgese5080]

Good Job Brandon, l seen you demo many products in LA back in the day!!!!

[@PerAnkh418]

can you plug this into the Aira sampler??

[@rhampton1914]

ok okay,,i want one....Nice video..i see it has a lot of potential to keep you going for a while..Something i can take to work and have fun on my lunch hour...Awesome...

[@modularben7421]

Reminds me of the Kaossilator- this or the Acidlab Bassline would be great for bass lines.

[@TheGreatUtopiaCat]

I got it hooked up to my midi keyboard but i cant record into the step sequencer with it! Only touch pad works for step sequencer...why?

[@karlbyrne589]

Selecting a pattern is one thing but how dow you save a pattern you've been playing?

[@pixusbubblejet]

I definitely wanted this to be REAL analog.... But i admit it sounds more like the original TB-303, compared to the Volca Bass which doesn't sound like a TB-303 despite being analog. I was going to get Volca Bass but it just wasn't as liquid and as squelchy as I wanted. This TB-3 might be better than the Volca Bass for that original TB-303 sound, despite being digital. Cyclone and XoXBoX are better but more expensive.

[@Engineeer]

The Volca Bass is an awesome synthesizer. The Volca Bass stands for itself: It does not want to be a TB-303 clone. You can not program the accent like on a TB-303, but you have tree VCOs. It is a great ACID machine, which you can use for itself or together with a TB-303 (or TB-303 clone). With $150 for the Volca Bass, you can't go wrong - even when you buy later on a TB-3, TB-303 or X0xb0x! When I want TB-303 sound, I use my X0xb0x and the Volca Bass plays well along with it. I also made some really cool sounds which I think are unique to the Volca. I see in the Volca Bass a legendary synthesizer in itself. Check out my SoundCloud ( soundcloud.com/engineeer ) and you can listen to the X0xB0x as well as the Volca Bass.

[@pixusbubblejet]

EngineeerMusicVideos If the Volca Bass is not trying to be a TB-303 then why did Korg make it look similar aesthetic as TB-303. even a similar silver color and knobs. Korg is clearly trying to take advantage of people who are interested in TB-303. Korg also made the Volca Beats remind people of TR-808, because again a similar color idea. But the end result is, the sound is not the same.

[@Engineeer]

i have something to add to one of my previous comments. I found out, that the Bolca Bass seem to support accent through MIDI. It works like the MIDI accent on my X0xb0x: full velocity will do the job.

[@Niven42]

If someone (Pajen, I'm looking at you!) comes up with a firmware hack for the Volca Bass that can duplicate the TB-303's pitch change mode, then it's game over.

[@sesaxdee]

How to sync with traktor or serato in live ?

[@Desmaad]

Pretty good, all things considered.

[@jimmywheelo]

Sounds great

[@MrGueseable]

now Roland has decided to remake the Original TB 303 in a digital format! Personally they should,of done this ages ago, early nineties,when the Basstation and other clones were trying to emulate the TB 303',and they did this in an ANALOG FORMAT,look i love most of Roland's vintage gear and I too would love to try out this NEW TOY TB 3

[@whamajamma75]

Is it just me or does the pattern sound the same on all the different banks he is using?

[@Niven42]

Yeah, it's definitely the same pattern.

[@Omriy92]

I don't understand one thing.. can make your own patterns? can you save them on the device?

[@datasoluble]

Yes

[@MagicMountainStudio]

any way to SUPERIMPOSE 2-3 different sequences onto itself, each with different patterns and diff, sounds, or ,,,,it is toy only with fixed 16 steps , in this day and age ?

[@BrandonRyan]

kisho bhar You can set the pattern length anywhere from 1-32 steps.

[@anterdogan]

Can I do Bass lines in 5/8 (10/16) ?

[@PopperEtudeFromHell]

3:23 sounds a lot like the bass line for Da Funk of Daft Punk's Alive 2007 set

[@lockyp204]

The best part of this new series is the vocoder..

[@lockyp204]

Does a vocoder have to have midi to officially be a vocoder?

[@EmBeeSeven]

***** I figure a vocoder would have no use for MIDI. Xlr/Trs/Rca ins is all it should need, seeing how it is meant for voice "digitization".

[@RELOADER82]

***** youre obivously using ablton if u think that midi on a vocoder is necessary.

[@rorz999]

Disagree, the vocoder is the worst product in the Aira range

[@hubyblake8660]

You'd think it was self-evident... but WHEN YOU USE YOUR LEFT HAND, WE CANNOT SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

[@hubyblake8660]

Talk about a frustrating demo....

[@mikeharris4562]

Can you control the sequencer? It doesn't look as if you can control the arpeggio! apart from the swing etc. .

[@jeffyou4244]

I just bought one but have noticed there are no sub bass sounds on anybody the demos!?!?!?

[@blkstone5272]

what's the difference between this and the system 1?

[@ZanBizar]

Funny the video starts with the sound of a Korg. I really like this new line of Roland though ;-)

[@austinstyles6393]

It does not sound quite like the original, but it I think it might my bring something new to the table.The spirit is there.

[@wutangpaul]

It sounds better tbh

[@TheLamont2086]

these are the sounds I've been looking for, more like that kraftwerk sound

[@treymalonson5819]

Built is effects are cool too!

[@feralferret]

I would have liked to have seen more synth controls on the front. And more filter types and distortion models. Make it a more serious piece of synthesis gear, rather than a toy.

[@HunterMalinowski]

Seriously? No decay? I was really hoping this would sound better than Abl2. I think Roland made the conscious decision to release the tb3 in digital format to drive the price up even higher on vintage Roland 303s

[@RodmanSan]

Lovely, pre-ordered one....:)

[@silverstream3d]

HAIR !!!!

[@hazysativa3045]

+Paul McKnight Its a fire hazard. Surprised it didn't set the sprinklers off...

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

Shut up and take my money!

[@khanada1969]

Haaaahahahahaha!

[@PaulYap]

nice watch!

[@JohanBrodd]

I just want this bastard!

[@drexiya221]

now sure he is for sale..

[@JesseJuup]

Nice demo. Featured this in the "Roland TR/TB/VT usergroup" on Facebook.

[@dylanreece7991]

Hmm, hard to tell about the sound on this one. Sounding pretty digital and thin to me right now.

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

Sounds pretty much spot on to me. I'm a total acid head and I feel as though they've nailed the sound.

[@Ycros]

VincentsVideoVisions Indeed, sounds like it should sound.

[@rorz999]

Digital yes, thin no

[@VengefulBatz]

I hear this, And think of that opening DANCE song in the movie Blade.

[@F-Andre]

so they put in a touchpad... a touchpad! but no button for env mod and decay:(? roland have you ever seen a real 303 :D?

[@F-Andre]

after the video i have to say: get away of that stutter shit :(

[@danielreynolds3849]

get with the times mate audio realism 2 if your gonna cry or just embrace the movement

[@ydel3522]

daniel reynolds you're*

[@lukasmckenna469]

is this any good for someone looking to produce dubstep with a DAW?

[@wtfdikshit]

not really since I don't think it has an LFO

[@MrGueseable]

What makes me laugh is that the original TB 303 was not made for this kind of sound? Some guys from Detroit&Chicago (you know who u r) messed about with a cheap silver box at the time,986 and created ACID HOUSE

[@inf0tr8r]

that's right, it was meant as a bass guitar replacement

[@treymalonson5819]

This guy's hair is for real!!!

[@cosmicslop1272]

Cool

[@MrDjaremko1982]

take my fkin money!!!

[@gowithgroove]

Doesn't sound very bassy to me. The low-end is not as strong as I would hope....

[@blackyonder]

You should/do not want this synth pumping out out below 200hz (Use EQ)... you layer a separate sub (Exclusively doing low end) beneath that. Thats how modern bass is made

[@tylerwhite9923]

Trance machine!

[@paul0o93]

Roland called this the next step? So disappointed.

[@dustmighte]

So you'd like to keep a cumbersome limited interface. For what sake?

[@musicboyuk]

As a Korg Volca Bass owner, I gotta say Im not that impressed the sounds on this. Roland MC303?

[@FreeThink1984]

i was waiting to learn more about this before i got the volca bass...looks like korg has earned my money yet again

[@FreeThink1984]

***** ? You don't have to buy all three. They market it that way but you don't need to. I agree that the Bass is the best one...not too interested in the Beats or the Keys either. This combo isn't worth it compared to other items on the market, but to each their own.

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

***** The Volca Bass and Keys sound okay. The Keys is the best-sounding unit of the three, in my opinion. The Beats has an awesome kick drum, but aside from that the unit is basically disposable. The Bass can sound good but you need to run it through some effects. A MXR "blue box" into some reverb = tasty.

[@Engineeer]

I would not throw the MC-303 in the mix. This is a rompler from the 90s with some TB-303 samples among a bunch of other samples in it. Very different from the TB-3, which digitally replicates the circuits and components of the TB-303.

[@thegroove2000]

It sounds digital. AudioRealism Bass Line2 ABL2. Cant go wrong.

[@videobrownsville]

I hate editing on a touchscreen I'd rather use buttons any day so I'm going to give this a no-go I've tried all things and I hate editing on a touch screen

[@E4RLIES]

Purchased...I really gotta stop watching KZbin! 🙂

[@Kippu1]

Acieed!

[@ashtonfox4738]

Welcome to the future... oh, wait.. maybe not.

[@AndrewSzarka]

No transpose...

[@reversefulfillment9189]

We gotta straighten that wig out.

[@Res0313]

Sound like its built for more house, techno.

[@GB3770]

2 of these and a drum machine - hahahhah om freaking god...

[@MrGueseable]

( I love TWEEKING and that acid sound) Maybe it's just me,it sounds good but too DIGITAL too DIGITAL YES THAT 2 DIGITA,96hz??I DO LIKE IT ,but Roland your missing the point,listen to your customers they WANT ANALOG,you could of built both worlds,have analog for the sound and digital for the touch screen,save patten,etc,timing issues..WHATEVER ,but remember its the sound and those guys from Chicago&Detroit that made your original ANALOG little silver box SO SO FAMOUS!

[@elmariachi5133]

It doesn'T even sound clsoe to a T303

[@Synthematix]

After thinking this would be the new tb303, IT IS NOT, i thought it would be awsome but its bloody awful, doesnt sound anything like the original, sold mine on ebay in 2 hours flat.

[@uncletairy771]

Cmon with that hair.

[@juanky19]

great unit..... for a noob that doesn't know anything about REAL ANALOG synths! you can buy a KORG ELECTRIBE and still have a smaller and more useful unit.... btw.. if I want a digital 303, 808 and 909 I will use REBIRTH 338 with a midi controller! thanks for nothing roland.....

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

Except that the synth engines of the various Electribe units cannot get even close to a 303 sound.

[@FreeThink1984]

VincentsVideoVisions Who cares? 303 is old and rehashed anyway. If you want a 100% accurate emulation of it, there are better alternatives ranging from software to hardware clones. If you want a useful device in this form factor, there are a lot of better options. This thing doesn't fill any distinct need and ultimately falls flat.

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

StevismMusic It does fill a distinct need though, and that need is an affordable 303-like instrument for a cheap price. At $299 you're not likely to even find a used x0xb0x at that price. There is not 100% accurate emulation of the 303 sound, because all 303s sound different. If people want that acid sound there's tons of options, and this is just one of many. For the price it sounds damn good and can go above and beyond what the competition can do in certain ways.

[@FreeThink1984]

? are you totally unaware of the $130 volca bass...?

[@FreeThink1984]

$300 for what is essentially a preset-based VA + rompler, or $130 for real analog, with a deeper synthesis engine. depends on how much you actually understand synthesis i suppose

[@EmBeeSeven]

Disappointed with the patterns. Sound is good, but limited patters ruin it for me.

[@BrandonRyan]

There are 64 patterns available in the TB-3 at any given time.

[@EmBeeSeven]

I figure it should act like the Moog Minitaur, not a pattern-player

[@ethanharfield8870]

MB Seven you can program your own

[@adamismonster]

The patterns are only limited by your creativity. What do you mean?

[@unreleasedrecordsltd4779]

I think what he means, is he has zero creativity, so i dont think he should get one. Maybe he should just stick to listening to music

[@coreymineard]

Hey there, hairdo. Nice alarm clock.

[@ammodomini]

I hate 303 bass lines. I don't even know why I'm watching this....

[@acidtechno]

+Trayveon Mcdaniel rotfl

[@80iesDude45]

Digital and looks cheap, naah. I stay with Rebirth 2.0 the best 303-Clone ever I say ;-)

[@seant2299]

Complains about digital then suggests a VST lol

[@datasoluble]

Not even VST, a standalone App.

[@Gyrbae]

Honestly, 303 purists are almost as bad as analog purists.

[@digitalbeat666]

works with windows xp :-D

[@lannybarbie9]

Phoscyon VST is the best clone of 303

[@Black_Agent_Seattle]

Leaving off important physical controls such as Waveform Switch, Tune, Decay and Env Mod are a HUGE failure of a design choice! Also, the Resonance seems off as well. Whoever designed this unit should be fired. They should have called this the ipad-3. The TR-8 is clear winner.

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

Waveform switch - not a huge detriment for me. You can always switch patterns with a different waveform right? As far as tune goes, that's one knob I never, ever use. Decay an Env Mod however are glaring omissions. Unacceptable. Overall I do think that it could still be a very useful and fun unit. Would be great alongside other acid boxes like the x0x, 777, Volca Bass, 101, whatever.

[@Black_Agent_Seattle]

VincentsVideoVisions Having to switch patterns to switch waveforms is cumbersome. Also, i like to play a lot of my sequences tuned slightly down. Anyway, i agree in that at $299, i'll probably end up buying the stupid thing =o] I'm sure it'll sound fine next to my x0xi0. I am looking fwd to hearing them in person.

[@baggermcguirk32343]

I was under the impression that the Env Mod is the same as the accent? Shame about that Decay knob, but at that price? Yeah I pre-ordered it. It actually sounds really good to me.

[@AleksHarborBelt]

Patrick Casey No, envelope modulation and accent are two very different things. Accent is just that, simple terms, accenting one note over another will make it strike harder and have a louder signal. When you open the envelope modulation, you're adding the shape of the envelope to the filter

[@baggermcguirk32343]

Ah, hell. I see what you mean. They had the room for the knobs... Yeah, that's pretty puzzling, then.

[@heidyverdeza750]

Worst demo ever

[@romankaroly114]

Daft punk

[@suzesiviter6083]

Lots of lame comments in the section 'not analog...blah blah', you pay 3 grand for a 303 even if this sounds much better lol.

[@Asdrubale01]

Absolutely it doesn't sound better.

[@rosswright7116]

There's no practicality to this and it actually seems like a incredible waste of money especially if you buy the other products toto make it better...um no. lol

[@Xorcist-Band]

I'ma gonna let you finish, but that whole Acid/ReBirth era made these sounds just god awful to listen to anymore.

[@electriceyeslide5959]

Not a good demo. I can do all of this with a proper synth. I want to see Bass.

[@dog69420]

these have a massively prominent sequencer bug that has existed in the product for at least four years now and roland has zero interest in fixing it. makes this piece of equipment unusable in a lot of situations

[@oldowl4290]

Why does this make the same pattern over and over again. The effects are cool but if you can't create different patterns then this is totally useless.

[@null1023]

+Jeff Chartier Watch the whole video. He (briefly) demonstrates pattern order editing starting at 2:00. You can edit patterns as expected.

[@unreleasedrecordsltd4779]

because he presumed his audience were of moderate intelligience

[@drexiya221]

@@unreleasedrecordsltd4779 LOL

[@StinkyBlack1]

this guy seems like an engineer. not a musician. you need to get a creative musician to do a demo, this all sounds samey.

[@immersionmusic]

Based on a commercial failure that later gained traction and achieved success with cheap technotards

[@rorz999]

Funny because the TB-3 has now had the same trajectory! Totally overlooked when it was released because it wasn't analogue, but now it's a modern classic

[@BendApparatus]

@@rorz999 it's still fairly affordable too. I passed up a couple going for just under $200. Picked up a mint one for $230 including that dust cover thingy...

[@rorz999]

@@BendApparatus yep still affordable but the prices have started to creep up. A year ago you could get one for £100 in the UK, now they are selling for £150 or more. I think the price bottomed out when the Behringer TD-3 was released, but now quite a lot of producers are using them as a combo

[@BendApparatus]

@@rorz999 You know reading your comment while messing with mine. I just came to a realization. The tb3 it's basically Roland's cartoonish take on their very own TB 303... It's almost as if Roland built it around the IDEA that people have of the 303 as this infinitely versatile full-blown synthesizer. The Tb3 sounds like people THINK the TB 303 sounds like in an exaggerated fashion...lol With all the fx and external overdrive/distortions built in.

[@thesoundcollective-mihut]

The TB-3 is very limited, especially with the effects, you cannot trust someone with that hair :)

[@acidtechno]

kids toy

[@jimmywheelo]

Sounds great