Roland AIRA TB-3

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$309.99 to $915.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (92)

14 Reviews

Find out who is using Roland AIRA TB-3

3 community setups

34 wishlisted

195 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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4.5 (93)

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5.0 (25)

$599.00 1 available New

$304.64 12 available Used

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4.0 (3)

$309.99

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Average Price: $532

Standard/Professional

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Roland AIRA TB-3 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Introducing the Roland AIRA TB-3, a revered classic that makes a triumphant return with a modern twist. This synthesizer is a faithful recreation of the iconic Roland TB-303 Bass Line synthesizer, a staple instrument that revolutionized the dance music scene in the early '80s. The TB-3 now sports a sleek, modern design featuring an illuminated, pressure-sensitive touchpad that facilitates key input and filter control.

Beyond its exterior, the TB-3 serves as a bona fide 32-step sequencer. Its illuminated beat display and automatic pattern generation function, coupled with random pattern modification, enable the creation of diverse and captivating beats in mere seconds. The touchpad doubles as a one-octave keyboard and also allows for filter envelopes modulation and other synthesis parameters control. The touchpad's pressure sensitivity ensures that your musical nuances won't get lost in translation.

Embodying the best of both worlds, the TB-3 is not just a sequencer, it can be played like a true instrument. Thanks to Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology, the TB-3 authentically replicates the original analog circuits of the TB-303, resulting in a vintage-sounding instrument that harmoniously melds with a modern and intuitive user interface.

Key Features:

Roland TB-303-inspired bassline synthesizer with pressure-sensitive touchpad input
Sound modeled after original TB-303 sounds using Roland's ACB technology
134 sound patches including original TB-303 sounds and new four-oscillator and effects-based basses, leads, and sound effects
Control knobs for volume, cutoff, resonance, accent, and effect
Illuminated 32-step sequencer with 64 preset patterns
Automatic pattern generation and random pattern modification functions
Scatter function with slicing, reverse, gating, and more effects
Dedicated Tempo control with shuffle and tap tempo buttons
Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior technology replicating analog synths
Multiple output options, including 1/4 inch headphone output, stereo or mono 1/4 inch master output
MIDI in/out and USB port
Powered via included power supply or via USB.

Product specs

Brand	Roland
Model	TB-3 AIRA Touch Bassline Synthesizer
Finish	Black
Year	2014 - 2025
Categories	Desktop Synths, Digital Synthesizers
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, USB MIDI
Polyphony	1 Voice

FAQs

Is the Roland AIRA TB-3 suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Roland AIRA TB-3 is designed for live performance with its intuitive touchpad and seamless integration with other AIRA gear, allowing for dynamic and expressive musical creation on stage.
What kind of sounds can the Roland AIRA TB-3 produce?: The Roland AIRA TB-3 can produce a wide range of bass sounds, emulating the classic TB-303 with modern enhancements, making it ideal for electronic music genres like acid house, techno, and more.
Does the Roland AIRA TB-3 have MIDI connectivity?: Yes, the Roland AIRA TB-3 features MIDI input and output, as well as USB MIDI, allowing it to integrate easily with other MIDI-compatible devices and software.
How does the touchpad on the Roland AIRA TB-3 enhance its functionality?: The touchpad on the Roland AIRA TB-3 allows for real-time manipulation of parameters, making it easy to modify sounds on the fly and add expressive elements to your music.
Is the Roland AIRA TB-3 monophonic or polyphonic?: The Roland AIRA TB-3 is monophonic, meaning it can play one note at a time, which is typical for bassline synthesizers focused on bass and lead sounds.

Videos

Add video

Sweetwater

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

Sweetwater

AIRA Start - TB-3 (a short tutorial)

RolandChannel

Roland AIRA TB3 Touch Bass Line - Review

sonicstate

Roland AIRA TB-3 & TR-8 Acid Jam

Perfect Circuit

Roland TB-3 Introduction German 303 Acid Synthesizer

RECORDING.de

Roland TB 3 Touch Bassline Demo

Guitar Center

ROLAND TB-3 Touch Bassline

session

Roland Aira TB3 All Presets - More Than Just a TB303!

Studio Toolz

Roland tb3 - Why you must have one (no Talking)

KUSH

Roland AIRA TB 3 Sequencing External Synths

INHALTVIDEO

Roland Aira Tb-3 live demo

E-MUZYK

Reviews

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PROS

Accurately emulates the TB-303's sound
Solid build quality with responsive knobs and touch screen
User-friendly, especially for live settings
Contains a diverse range of sounds beyond the original TB-303
Streamlined touchpad interface enhances playability
Easy pattern programming and sound selection
Compact and portable design
Integrates well with other gear, like the TR-8

CONS

Limited sequencing capacity with short pattern length
Touch sensitivity can be overly responsive
Touch screen interface not intuitive for all users
Lacks modification options due to digital architecture
Limited control over effects and synth parameters

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland AIRA TB-3.

Features and functionality

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The TB-3's sequencer is noted as superior to the original TB-303, making it favorable for live performances.
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It lacks a built-in compressor, which some users work around by using external compressors or relying on venue equipment.
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The TB-3's touchscreen interface is praised for allowing quick pattern creation, likened to the ease of a Korg Kaoss Pad.
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The TB-3 features over 100 waveforms/oscillators, distinct from the TB-303, which enhances its versatility beyond the original's architecture.
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Unlike the TB-303, the TB-3 lacks physical decay and envelope knobs, utilizing a touchscreen interface for these parameters.
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User experience

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Owners appreciate the variety of bass sounds and effects but mention the synth is mostly preset-based.
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Some users found the Behringer TD-3's knobs prone to becoming scratchy with heavy use, requiring contact cleaner to maintain performance.
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Effects on the TB-3 are integrated into the presets, offering built-in sound manipulation without the need for external gear.
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Comparisons

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Some users feel the TD-3 offers a superior sound, despite the TB-3 being a digital virtual analog.
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Despite being digital, the TB-3 is often indistinguishable in recordings from the analog TB-303 and RE-303, thanks to its ACB digital modeling.
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The TB-03 is closer in functionality to the original TB-303 than the TB-3, having the same waveform options and similar sound characteristics.
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Use cases and applications

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It's commonly used in mono for live performances to avoid occupying additional DI channels.
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Software and compatibility

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There's potential for deeper sound engine access using third-party editors, as the TB-3 is largely a preset synth by default.
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Value and pricing

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After a "Bad Gear" review, TB-3 prices surged, with some listings exceeding $1000, indicating potential resale value appreciation.
Source

Mods and upgrades

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Owners can enhance TB-3 functionality by accessing deeper sound engine features through third-party software editors.
Source

Add review

4.5 out of 5

Based on 14 Reviews and 92 Ratings

5 star

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mike_byrd

773

over 1 year ago

Sound great nice virtual analogue

This sounds like a original 303, with extra patchs included with effects, a great all-rounder also your not just limited to the 303 sound. The TB3 offers a lot of synth for the money I'd say it'll fit well into any studio.

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Electronica Dance music

engineeermusic

415

over 10 years ago

Legit, underevaluated Acid machine at a low price

Legit sound

Don't let people tell you, that the TB-3 does not sound like a TB-303! ... because it does! The TB-3 comes really close to the original. Roland sampled the sonic behavior of each component of a real TB-303 and reproduced it in software. This is way more accurate than traditional virtual analog technology. Please read up on ACB (Analog Circuit Behavior), before you say anything against the TB-3. Still, if you have a trained ear and put it next to the original TB-303, you may hear slight differences.

Not easy (or impossible?) to modify

This machine is all digital. I've seen nobody adding a bass boost or other modifications to it, so far.

Easy to use, good in live setting

The TB-3 is easy to use. Pattern programming is way easier than on the original TB-303. I found that the TB-3 comes really handy in live settings. With the newer firmware, you can assign the selection of the sound (waveform and effect) directly to a pattern. So you do not need to dial it in when playing, it's right there!

earthside_mixlab

206

over 10 years ago

Acid AF.

This little box allows me to bring an old-school element to my work that was delivered by many of my favorite artists from back in the day. The classic "Acid" sound oozes out of this little guy with every note and gushes when you crank the resonance knob. I initially had reservations about the touchpad interface, but have since come to appreciate how streamlined it is, especially considering how notoriously difficult to program the original TB-303 is said to be. All said and done, the TB-3 is a lot of fun to work with and I am looking forward to hearing what I can squeeze out of it.

spaker

464

about 10 years ago

Missed opportunity regained- agaibn

Just like I could never have obtained an 808 or 909, I highly doubt I would have gotten a Roland 303 or ceven a clone- ever. But this thing... this was MADE for me. It's almost too easy to program 16/32 steps of pure 303 bliss. And there are still hundreds of sounds left in memory to freak on.

Roles:

Music Producer DJ Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Techno Downtempo

john_withers

815

over 7 years ago

Part of my Aira collection

I love the sounds in this little fellow and initially I thought the touch screen interface was intriguing but I have found it hard to actually play. If you put the time into it I am sure this unit would reward you but I haven't done that and have moved on to easier pastures for my bass sounds. Still glad I bought it though.

exposuretherapy

over 10 years ago

More subs please.

Fun, but not the most intuitive machine. Kind of hate the touch screen. Roland should have given the user more control over effects and synths. I mean when you look at how complicated some of their gear has been, they could have allowed for some program changes to be tweaked by power users, while still maintaining an easy UI for people who just want to jam.

walter

3485

over 10 years ago

Fun sub

I traded some gear to acquire one of these neat little sub synth/sequencer. The TB 3 is a modern take on the vintage TB 303, so naturally it has the original TB 303 sounds in its banks. However, the TB 3 has other sounds in its banks alongside these original sounds. You can play the TB 3 in 4 different modes, along with a step sequencer and a live sequencer.

cos_mozz

312

about 8 years ago

Little Beast Machine

Great filters, fat sound, easy to program. I use it on live sets sending midi from ableton live and works amazing.

jey_madcat

over 10 years ago

New generation of Futuristic of original Acid box

Great !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! And Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! Acid !! and Acid !! Again !! Forever !!Acid !! Acid !! Acid !!