Behringer TD-3-AM Yellow

I have always wanted to own and be able to use a TB303 in my music for approx 30 years! the desire never went away , I missed the first round has money was very tight in the recession hit 80`s. So heads up to 2020 and Behringer have done exactly what a progressive music manufacturer should and recreated the "magic box" exactly and then some ! Since receiving mine a few weeks ago , I have had the time (due to the virus) to forensically learn the instrument inside out and although it inherits the much written about sequencer which can be regarded has a very big plus or a minus depending on your viewpoint , in 2020 it doesn`t matter because the USB and synth app supplied takes care of the "mad" button programming many used with the old Roland unit . You can plan and write some very structured musical basslines that sound incredible. The factory sequences are just that , they do not allow the little box to show off but I found an increasing amount of custom sequence packages on the net at very low cost , they became my templates for learning the art of programming this unassuming beast of a box. Mine is now complete with 64 dance ready basslines and with the inclusion of the A/B structure of the pattern play you can alter the main bassline A ever so slightly and program it into B and instantly have those iconic changes in emphasis and dynamics that make a killer techno or house tune . I have a Roland TR-3 and owned it for a good few years and if I was asked to compare the units It would not even come close, the TR-3 was a design experiment for Roland and they forgot about the end user whilst building it , It can sound good in a track but in comparison with the Behringer it is quite pedestrian, it is the sound of the unit that lets it down although full of presets the sound mangling that is so intuitive with the Behringer is just not there . There is no envelope to tweak (big mistake) so it will not sing like an actual bird ! unlike the Behringer . So in summary Behringer have it the jackpot with this well connected clone of the original TB303, the fact it is faithful to the electronics and is squarely analogue and is fully open ended due to its USB and MIDI capabilities , so programming killer basslines will become quite a lucrative cottage industry. The price which I have not mentioned thus far is another gift for a gift that just keep giving . All in all buying a TD-3 is a complete no- brainer everyone should own one , like back in the day these things usually sold in two`s because house and techno back in the eighties used to double up the bass to create more complexity .

What can i say about the best clone of the legendary 303, for a price that made me buy 2. You cannot have enough 303's!

It's light but solid built. The software editor is for people that do not want to get into the copy Behringer made of the original editor. I must say it's a bit weird when you use it for the first time. Jumping through the pattern is can be tricky since there is no indication at what point in the pattern you are. But.... it was the same with the original. Yes it's hard to program if you don't use the software. But the quality is just excellent, it's really good! And the price is insane.

I bought the TD3 along with the RD6 and it's really nice product for the price its a little bit complicated to make a pattern but you can watch tutorials on youtube and figure out how it works, the sound is amazing like a classic 303 the distortion effect make the difference, you can download the Behringer SynthTool app and create or save patterns and make settings easy but the most thing i like most its that you can connect it to the computer with usb or midi and sync with the DAW or work it like a midi controller and add every sound you like from any VST software! i have made a Youtube video about unboxing how to connect it check it out! 🙂✌

You just need to add the nicer distortion if you want ‘that’ classical acid lines. Because internal distortion working just well, but not insane good. Personally I using Markbass Compressore which is tube driven and makes exactly ‘that’ overdrive that I wanted from this little synth.

I have never tried original 303 and can’t compare face to face. But for my taste TD-3 working as flawless as you could expect from mighty bass acid VCO.

Programming is complicated, yes. But you could send MIDI over USB. Also Behringer’s native programming app working pretty well. I guess the best way is to program this machine from the main panel. But I need to read manual for doing it )

At the bottom line, I’m 100% satisfied with this purchase. Analogue, screamy, bright sound: what else do you want from this clone?

And yes, it’s made from plastic. It’s not sturdy, but am ok with it.

Right, it's a 3o3. We don't need to talk about the sound - if it's 3o3 sound you want, you get that here; check out sound examples online or in-store, completely ignore the weak "distortion"/"drive" combo and do what the big boys did, riding it hot into an old mixer; complement with overdrive/saturation/fuzz pedals to taste: voilà!

With the sound out of the way, how does she handle?
We're getting full-sized audio out and MIDI in and a combined out/thru, which I really appreciate after too many mini-jacks, and jack-to-MIDI-A, jack-to-MIDI-B adapters.
Programming her can be done in the classic way, or via software provided by behringer, which also takes care of firmware updates and such. I've only ever used the Widows version; it is functional.
Finally, you can send note events and sysex via MIDI, and have rudimentary control over accent and slide via velocity and legato playing, but of course no automated filter sweeping madness. This box wants to be used hands-on.
Combined with an MAM MB33 and a few effects for grit as stated above, this yellow box ticks all my ... boxes. I know there are successor models with more CV modulation capabilities and overdrive and whatnot, but I am very very happy with this MK1.

Of course, I would love to have a real 303. I did once, and my unit didn't sound as good as I wished. I learned years later the pots inside could be used to change max resonance, etc. I wish I'd kept it. I will always regret it.

Ok, so I dropped a $200 on this TD-3 with very low expectations. In fact, I was already using the ACB Roland 303, and thought it sounded great.

Now I have had a LOT of time with TD-3, mastered all of its quirks, and made a lot of recordings. This thing is amazing sounding. It is the best sounding 303 I have ever used and while I do wish it hadn't followed the 303's bizarre sequencer behavior, it is absolutely learnable and kind of fun once you get the hang of it. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about this device, and clearly for the price, you will definitely not do better. I love it so much I actually just ordered the MO version in the same acid yellow smiley face color.

Run, don't walk and buy yourself this iconic marvel.