TB 303 sounds, how do you get them?

Probably not much help since I'm guessing you already read this, but I know John Davis said he uses the CoPilot Orbit for his 303 sounds.

 

I've used a real 303 and a couple of clones. The key with those is that the pattern is playing automatically, and at least one of your hands is free to quickly/articulately twist different parameters. With bass guitar through pedals of course, most of your attention and dexterity is focused on playing the patterns, leaving only a foot (slow, clumsy) to tweak typically just one parameter with an expression pedal.

 

I don't use the synth sounds in mine, but there's a 'mono synth' in the Zoom B9.1ut that is apparently based upon the stereotypical moog sound, and the expression pedal can control 2 parameters at once. A lot of money for experimenting I know, but might be worth a look anyway.

 

the 303 is a tough thing to emulate... the glide and accent feature on the original contribute a lot to it's signature sound, and it also has an 18db/oct filter instead of a more common 12 or 24db/oct slope...

i used to get 303 esque sounds with the bass balls as well, that kinda has a similar vibe somehow, interms of the vowel-y filter sound... the orbit can get an oscillator sound that reminds me of the 303 with high resonance and fast attack on the envelope.

john

 

with a TB 303

 

I don't mean to sound argumentative, but how could you honestly expect to achieve a close approximation of the TB-303 using a bass guitar and pedals?
The charm of the 303 is as others have pointed out its crude simple arcitechture, and its Accent/Slide configuration in its internal step sequencer.
Other defining factors are of course the 18db filter, and the interaction of the filter/envelope when tweaking.
Trying to program a specific bassline with the internal sequencer can be like pulling teeth, but it excells at providing much joy with happy accidents, and unintended sequences.
I've not yet heard a faithful recreation of the TB-303 in hardware.
Recent software by the likes of the D16 group are getting closer.

But it still couldn't provide a live bass player the specific/authentic sound of the 303, and no combination of pedals will ever get close.
I'd recommend finding a new sound instead

 

I cast my vote towards this post for "most helpful post on Talkbass" award.

 

hey.. can you give an example of the sound per se. youtube or whatever. I was playing w. my FM4 last night and getting some really acidy sounds.