Yesterday was 3 March – thus 303 Day, an annual – and somewhat niche – celebration of the iconic Roland TB-303 Bass Line synthesizer.
But even if you missed the day itself, fear not, as Plugin Boutique is hosting this killer deal on Roland’s own TB-303 plugin version until 8 March, which includes 67% off, bringing the price tag down from £133 to just £43.
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Though now an iconic unit and something of a cult classic, the physical Roland TB-303 has had a rocky history.
Launched in 1981, the TB-303 was a synthesizer which emulated the sound of real bass guitars, but became known for its somewhat unnatural, squelchy character and was initially a commercial failure, leading to its discontinuation in 1984.
- READ MORE: “There’s no other machine that has a sound so remarkable” – Artists give their take on the TB-303
In the years following, producers recognised its potential for EDM subgenres like acid house and techno, and it has since built a cult following among electronic musicians.
The original TB-303 featured a single oscillator which offered either a sawtooth or square wave, followed by a 24 dB/octave low-pass filter and envelope generator. Roland’s TB-303 Software Bass Line stays true to the original architecture, giving producers the sound that helped shape genres in a single plugin.
“Some instruments are so groundbreaking they create entire musical genres,” says Plugin Boutique. “The TB-303 is one of these influential instruments, but it wasn’t always seen that way.
“ When Roland released the TB-303 in 1981, it was marketed as a computerised bass machine to simulate a traditional bass guitar, but didn’t quite catch on. Later on, inventive electronic musicians discovered the 303, often on the secondhand market, and found new uses for its recognisably fluid low end…
“While we may never really understand why the 303 sound makes people want to dance, there’s no denying its power, influence and unwavering ability to get a party started.
It’s a rich legacy, and one which you can add to your production arsenal right now for just £43.
Learn more at Plugin Boutique.
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