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Average Price: $532
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Description
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
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Is the Roland AIRA TB-3 suitable for live performances?
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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.
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What kind of sounds can the Roland AIRA TB-3 produce?
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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.
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Does the Roland AIRA TB-3 have MIDI connectivity?
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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.
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How does the touchpad on the Roland AIRA TB-3 enhance its functionality?
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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.
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Is the Roland AIRA TB-3 monophonic or polyphonic?
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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
Sweetwater
Roland AIRA TB-3 Touch Bassline Synthesizer Demo - Sweetwater Sound
Reviews
PROS
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Accurately emulates the TB-303's sound
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Solid build quality with responsive knobs and touch screen
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User-friendly, especially for live settings
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Contains a diverse range of sounds beyond the original TB-303
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Streamlined touchpad interface enhances playability
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Easy pattern programming and sound selection
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Compact and portable design
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Integrates well with other gear, like the TR-8
CONS
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Limited sequencing capacity with short pattern length
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Touch sensitivity can be overly responsive
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Touch screen interface not intuitive for all users
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Lacks modification options due to digital architecture
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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.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 14 Reviews and 92 Ratings
820
The new 303
Great stuff. Wish there were more patches and editing would be cool also. Still a great companion to the Aira TR 8.
Artist usage
Add artist
if you stop the video at 1:47, to the untrained eye, you can see the device being used as an effect station in replacement of the RMX 1000
"Testing ideas & possibilities of adding/subtracting pieces of equipment in my performance setup." Richie says in this picture where a TB-3 is seen at the bottom left corner.
In an Instagram post, Martin Solveig showcases the Roland AIRA TB-3 among the gear brought backstage at the Balaton event.
You can see the TB-3 in this Instagram photo, along with the Pro 2 and Amelie's cats.
This item can be seen in Robin Schulz's Studio in this video at 1h20m50s.
This photo, posted by Digitalism to Instagram, shows their Roland AIRA TB-3 Touch Bassline Synth.
From the article from music radar, upon asked What hardware synths they were using. They answered: "We have a Dave Smith Mopho - the x4 with the four oscillators - and we bought some Nord Electro 5Ds recently, which have been awesome. We also have a Korg MS-20 Mini, which is sick, a Jupiter 8 and a TB-3 and VT-3 - the new Roland AIRA products."
Album Usage
The Roland AIRA TB-3 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland AIRA TB-3, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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