Roland TB 303 set up help!!

[sammytaters]

If the TB-303 has been modified then Focusrite MIDI OUT--->TB-303 MIDI IN. TB303 had DIN/SYNC but thats a different technology than MIDI. Your keyboard controller should go to the Focusright MIDI IN. Then you control everything, including the 303 through the DAW.

[blinky909]

you have to send the 303 MIDI note data, it will not sync to MIDI clock with that mod. basically you lose everything that makes the 303 a 303 (the sequencer applied accents and quirky slide).

[bluegreengold]

I'm unsure what midi input mod that 303 has, and since it has the front keys disabled, then yeah, this is not one of the better versions, but I do know there are midi retrofits that allow you to sync the internal sequencer, and even to run the internal sequencer on top of the midi-in. (and that's awesome).

[nebelfrau]

Originally Posted by blinky909

you have to send the 303 MIDI note data, it will not sync to MIDI clock with that mod. basically you lose everything that makes the 303 a 303 (the sequencer applied accents and quirky slide).

So you're saying he's just bought a box that plays fancy square waves?

[Xero]

is the front keyboard really disconnected? or is the cpu just dead? i wouldn't be surprised if the latter is true. I'd probably install quicksilver if that's the case, it would at least get you a working 303 and you could still use it as a midi module...

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by nebelfrau

So you're saying he's just bought a box that plays fancy square waves?

yes. the CPU was probably fried. a Deep Bass Nine would have been a better purchase for a 303 sound module. hope he didn't pay more than $200.00 for the tone module.

[Xero]

Originally Posted by blinky909

yes. the CPU was probably fried. a Deep Bass Nine would have been a better purchase for a 303 sound module. hope he didn't pay more than $200.00 for the tone module.

ya, I actually have a DB9, it's not too shabby, but i wish the volume level of the output was a bit higher. i tend to use my quicksilver 303 the most now, but the sequencer on the QS303 is so good now I don't even bother using it via midi.

[BM0]

If you want a good TB-303 like bass machine and also something that can work as a sound module, get a x0xb0x with 2VCO installed and a gate on/off switch to create an infinite sustain like envelope. IMO, TB-303 as first synth is probably not the best choice. Better choice would be an SH-101 if you want an excellent acid sound. As blinky909 said, you basically lose what makes a 303 the 303 if you don't use its sequencer.

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by Xero

is the front keyboard really disconnected? or is the cpu just dead? i wouldn't be surprised if the latter is true. I'd probably install quicksilver if that's the case, it would at least get you a working 303 and you could still use it as a midi module...

simply dropping in a QS doesn't mean it's going to magically make it work. i'm sure there is a good amount of issue with the 303 now that makes a simple fix unlikely.

[Xero]

Originally Posted by blinky909

simply dropping in a QS doesn't mean it's going to magically make it work. i'm sure there is a good amount of issue with the 303 now that makes a simple fix unlikely.

oh i'm sure it needs a full going-through regardless, who knows what kind of mods were done to get it to work in the state it's in now. considering what 303's are worth and stuff these days though, it'd be worth it to get it fixed proper IMO. Plus, without ever using the sequencer of the 303, the OP will never really know what the real charm of the 303 is. Using it as a module is not what made the 303 as famous as it is today.

[D_Davis]

I've got this piece of vintage gear I'll sell ya!



:D

[deepfriedd]

Yeahhh as this was my first synth purchase the idea of being able to control it through midi was enticing and that was pretty much the reason I bought it. You say the CPU may have been fried is there a way of finding out?

[deepfriedd]

And does anyone know of anywhere in Sydnsy, Australia where I can take this to possibly get it switched back to its original form? And is it worth it?

[BM0]

Originally Posted by D_Davis

I've got this piece of vintage gear I'll sell ya!

:D

Does that include legendary mc-303 or tb-303 sounds? I owned both of those machines pictured on the box at one time.

Why is it called Rebirth.one? Were they trying to fool people into thinking it was Propellerheads Rebirth, which was actually very cool. The best 303/808/909 software emulator ever.

[D_Davis]

Originally Posted by BM0

Why is it called Rebirth.one? Were they trying to fool people into thinking it was Propellerheads Rebirth, which was actually very cool. The best 303/808/909 software emulator ever.

Its a scaled down version of Rebirth. Probably sold at Walmart or something.

[kpsiegel]

Originally Posted by deepfriedd

And does anyone know of anywhere in Sydnsy, Australia where I can take this to possibly get it switched back to its original form? And is it worth it?

Not in Sydney but in Australia you could potentially send in your 303 to Robin Whittle at Real World Interfaces. He is the creator of the Devilfish mods and can put a Quicksilver mod into your 303. It would be hard to imagine that there is anyone out there that knows more about the 303 than he does. I know he has at least one spare 303 CPU cause he pulled the one out of my Devilfish cause he is modding it up to run with the Quicksilver kit. He does not do straight up 303 repairs as far as I know.

If I were you I would get the Quicksilver mods in it cause doing the repairs to put it back the way it was would probably be as expensive. You could buy the Quicksilver kit and try it yourself if you were adventurous.

[deepfriedd]

Yeah i had a skim through his website last night actually when i was searching for someone in sydney... i think i might email him!!!

[nebelfrau]

So I keep reading the initial post where the keyboard is unplugged, but can be plugged back in. Got me thinking, what if it's a ribbon cable that just needs to be plugged back in.

After some googling, I found an image of the guts of the 303, and sure enough, it's a ribbon cable. My question is, as I am not circuit/whatever savvy, can it just be "plugged back in" or is there more to it? More, as in, not like a computer ribbon cable that just plugs/unplugs.

Here is the image:

[Syn303]

Originally Posted by nebelfrau

My question is, as I am not circuit/whatever savvy, can it just be "plugged back in" or is there more to it?

Those 4 white-ish ribbon cables cannot be simply plugged back in, they are soldered in. Those ribbons Roland used are not very flexible and the wires on the ends can break easily.

I replaced all mine with more flexible ribbon cables. It makes it more easier when you need work on the switchboard.

[ekwipt]

Send it to Robin and get quicksilver, it ill it you but it will be worth it

[BM0]

Originally Posted by D_Davis

Its a scaled down version of Rebirth. Probably sold at Walmart or something.

NICE! I had the "search the Internet desperetly for a hacked copy of full Rebirth" version back in the day (in school and no money). Propellerheads ended up giving it away for free more recently. I remember an earlier version of rebirth that only had the tr-808 and 2x tb-303s (no tr-909). Ahh, the good old days of computer software for techno.

[ripe]

Originally Posted by deepfriedd

Yeah i had a skim through his website last night actually when i was searching for someone in sydney... i think i might email him!!!

I'm not sure if Robin will do the Quicksilver install (or any repairs) without also modifying the machine to a DevilFish.

If you decide you want to ship the machine to the US for the Quicksilver install, we are still offering free installation. Total round trip shipping cost would probably be ~$100 USD (plus the cost of a CPU).

We also do repairs on 303s.
For small repairs, we can take care of it during the install, for larger jobs or needed parts we can give an estimate beforehand.

cheers
ripe

[Acid Hazard]

Whoever disabled the keyboard in this 303 should be punched in the teeth. Once you take away the sequencer, you might as well just use a normal MIDI synth like the DSI Mopho or something. If this guy didn't manage to cause havoc on the internals, getting it fixed should be too much. You should have went with the x0xb0x.

[blinky909]

i am willing to bet the switchboard connectors were removed to make the 303 work if the CPU is damaged. the switch board logic on the CPU might be locking things up. simply bypassing all that and connecting a MIDI to CV/Gate board seems like a nice way around a blown CPU for that 303 sound without slides and accents.

this sentence here bothers me to no end

"Keyboard on front panel has been disconnected but is reversible if required."

why remove the connection? it makes no sense.

i would return it to the seller.

[BM0]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

You should have went with the x0xb0x.

x0xb0x is the perfect substitute. I got one of Altitude909's custom builds and it sounds great, is far more useful and quality built to last. Oh, and it is also much much cheaper than what 303's go for these days.

Return the TB-303 and get a x0xb0x.

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by BM0

x0xb0x is the perfect substitute. I got one of Altitude909's custom builds and it sounds great, is far more useful and quality built to last. Oh, and it is also much much cheaper than what 303's go for these days.

Return the TB-303 and get a x0xb0x.

he could use the rare parts from the 303 to populate an x0xbox kit

[Llitsor]

Originally Posted by blinky909

he could use the rare parts from the 303 to populate an x0xbox kit

Certainly doable, but hard to justify cannibalising an expensive 303 for what is maybe $60 worth of rare parts needed to make a x0xb0x (Which will likely still be worth less than even a broken 303). Fortunately those 'rare' parts are not completely unobtanium yet, so can still be found here n there.

Don't get me wrong, I like the x0xb0x and built a couple myself. I'd happily recommend one to the OP if he didn't already have his 303. Now he's got it though, id wager he's better off sending it to a reputable tech to be fixed/restored.

[Xero]

yeah it's not worth cannibalizing. my guess is that given the quicksilver CPU replacement, there's not much on a 303 that can't be replaced/fixed now. I've even seen cracked boards repaired before...but it just depends on the severity. Obviously it's still working to some degree if it works as a module, I would say it's worth investing the time and money to fix it properly. I can't imagine it's that bad.

[deepfriedd]

I emailed Robin the guy behind Devil Fish modifications and he said that if my LED lights are working when i press the keyboard buttons C,D,A etc its fine. he said turn the RUN/STOP button off and try that and if the lights stay on and dont flash the CPU is most probably fine..

Now set up wise i have the OUTPUT running into my Focusrite Scarlett 8i6's LINE INPUTS (channel 4), I have my MIDI cable going from Focusrites MIDI OUT to the TB303's MIDI IN. Now the guy i bought it off said:

Just to clarify, midi ONLY sends binary information...NOT audio. The audio still has to be connected to something.

Whats does he mean by this? This is my first synth and im a little confused as to where to go from here!