Fancy some TB-303 action in your modular? Ge0sync Synths has released the TB-Euro series of modules that pulls the 303 oscillator, filter, envelope and VCA into Eurorack. TB-Euro New Zealand-based Ge0synchronous Synths has pulled the Roland TB-303 apart and developed a series of modules that feed on the gooey insides of the classic bassline synthesizer. The modules stay close to the originals while bringing in some tweaks, additional capabilities and, of course, lots of patch points for modulation.
There are four modules in the series including the TB-O oscillator, the TB-EF envelope/filter, TB-EFA envelope/filter/VCA and then the forthcoming TB-Super-O 3-oscillator acid monster. TB-O The idea is that it faithfully recreates the classic 303 bass sound with the sawtooth and square waveforms. It also adds a triangle output and a strange “sine-saw-sharktooth” waveform that produces a lot of harmonics. For modulation, you can mess with the pulse width and inject some FM, which you can’t do on the original. TB-EF Rather than taking on the filter by itself, Ge0sync has built in the envelope to give it that distinctive 303 sweep. The low pass filter is accurately recreated and you have control over the cutoff, resonance, envelope depth and accent. The TB-EF lets you take the resonance into the crazy zone with the “chirp” control and you also have a rather nice pre-filter drive control. TB-EFA This module expands on the TB-EF by adding in the VCA. This means you have the entire 303 voice after the oscillator. The VCA is controlled by the same envelope as the filter but adds in full control over the Decay. One further addition is control over the width of the filter and pushes it between subtle and shrill. TB-Super-O Why have one oscillator when you can have three? The TB-Super-O unleashes a stack of three square or sawtooth waveforms giving you a supersaw or supersquare 303-style experience. TB-Euro Partial Kits The modules come as partial kits which include the transistors, PCB, front panel and rarer components as used in the original 303. You’ll have to source the more common parts like the resistors, knobs and so on but full details are provided in the build guides. The TB-Super-O is not quite ready yet but the other three are available now for ￡43, ￡57 and ￡73 (ex VAT) respectively. |
