TB-303: 40 years of musical revolution!
- 22/04/2023
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You’ve probably already heard of the TB-303, the legendary electronic drum machine that revolutionized electronic music in the ’80s and ’90s. Well, today the TB-303 celebrates its 40th anniversary and continues to inspire musicians the world over. In this article, we’ll take you through the history of the TB-303, introduce you to its features and uses, and help you understand why it’s still so popular today.
The TB-303 story
The TB-303 was launched by the Japanese Roland Corporation in 1982. Originally, it was intended for use as a drum machine to accompany guitarists. However, musicians soon began experimenting with the TB-303’s sounds and patterns, creating a whole new musical genre: acid house.
Acid house quickly gained popularity, particularly in Europe, where clubs were packed with fans dancing to acid beats. Artists such as Phuture, Adonis and DJ Pierre pioneered the genre and helped popularize the TB-303.
TB-303 features
The TB-303 is an electronic drum machine with built-in sequencer. It features an analog bass tone generator and various controls for adjusting sound parameters. It also features controls for tempo, glide, cutoff, resonance and decay.
The TB-303 is not intuitive to use, which partly explains why it has become so popular. Musicians had to experiment and explore the drum machine to discover all the features it offered. This led to the creation of unique sounds and rhythms, giving birth to an entirely new musical genre.
Using the TB-303 in modern music
Even though the TB-303 was created 40 years ago, it continues to be used by musicians today. Many electronic artists incorporate sounds from the TB-303 into their productions to give their music a nostalgic, retro feel. Some musicians have even created entire tracks using only the TB-303.
In addition to electronic music, the TB-303 has also inspired other musical genres. For example, rock band Radiohead used the TB-303 on their album OK Computer to create some interesting sound effects.
Why is the TB-303 so popular with musicians?
The TB-303 is popular with musicians for several reasons. Firstly, its unique and distinctive sound is highly appreciated in electronic music. In addition, the TB-303 is relatively simple to use and program, making it accessible to novice musicians. Finally, the TB-303 is a very durable drum machine, making it a popular choice for live performances.
How did TB-303 inspire acid techno?
In the 1980s, musicians began using the TB-303 to create a whole new musical genre, acid house. This musical genre is characterized by repetitive, hypnotic rhythms, heavy bass and acid synth lines created from the TB-303. Acid house quickly gained popularity in the clubs of Chicago and Detroit, before spreading around the world.
Conclusion
The TB-303 is a legendary electronic drum machine that revolutionized electronic music. It was used to create a whole new musical genre, acid house, which continues to inspire musicians the world over. Although the TB-303 was created 40 years ago, it continues to be used by modern musicians and remains a source of inspiration for many artists.
