Elektron-Users

cchocjr wrote:
So what are some software samplers people are using out there that they are happy with, by count of hands? I can rattle off a bunch of names, but I've little experience with any. I'm trimming down my setup to 'lean&mean' status--primarily my UW and a x0xb0x (will be assembling a MidiSid as soon as the parts arrive). I have a strong feeling that the UW will probably do all I want in terms of sampling, but would be interested to hear peoples' experiences with various soft-samplers and/or recommendations. I have a powerbook with some oompf in it, so I've toyed with the idea of using it to sequence in tandem with the UW.

Charles

hey charles
I see you've got a x0xb0x, I'm on the list for run 4...
I was just wondering how you are enjoying it, and how long it took you to make and if you are an experienced 'solderer'?. Do you have any samples/demos/tunes of it online?

I'm getting itchy, and I'm not sure wheter to get the x0xb0x or a retro revolution ... does anyone know if the retro revolution completely covers the possibilities of the 303 and also its own features, or if its mostly a synth that sounds like the 303 and misses out on some 303 specific stuff...


I've got a hard-on for making acid basslines , and being able modulate my CV gear with one of the above mentioned units. Heard some moog acid basslines over at the x0xb0x forums, sounded dope.

Sorry to interrupt this section of the thread, but I put my S2000 on ebay. Very cheap considering all it has. Check the post.

Thank you.

-[d]

b0unce wrote:
hey charles
I see you've got a x0xb0x, I'm on the list for run 4...
I was just wondering how you are enjoying it, and how long it took you to make and if you are an experienced 'solderer'?. Do you have any samples/demos/tunes of it online?

I'm getting itchy, and I'm not sure wheter to get the x0xb0x or a retro revolution ... does anyone know if the retro revolution completely covers the possibilities of the 303 and also its own features, or if its mostly a synth that sounds like the 303 and misses out on some 303 specific stuff...


I've got a hard-on for making acid basslines , and being able modulate my CV gear with one of the above mentioned units. Heard some moog acid basslines over at the x0xb0x forums, sounded dope.

I love it. I took me around 20-30 hours to complete it, I'd say. This includes fabrication, trouble-shooting, modifications, and trouble-shooting the modifications :-D . I do a fair amount of soldering at work, but mostly in cable construction (I'm an AV Systems Installer). It helped, but I was (and am) pretty much green concerning electronics. The x0xb0x forum was immensely helpful when it came to troubleshooting, too.

In my opinion, if you can solder (or are willing to learn), are patient, don't break shit when it doesn't work right off the bat, and will follow directions meticulously, then you can do it. It was a GREAT learning experience. I'm going to start phase one of my MidiSID construction as soon as the parts arrive (today, I think?).
The most fun part of the x0xb0x was recreating 'classic' 303 mods (bass boost, increased filter cutoff range, increased envelope range, filter modulation with a switchable waveshape source, custom faceplate).

You'd probably love the x0xb0x, and you'd probably love the Revolution, too. I still wouldn't mind having one for the cool sequencer features. The x0xb0x, however, is a straight-up clone of the 303, except for certain parts that are no longer in production. AND it's OS is open source, so there are already some cool hacks out there that implement swing, selectable pattern endpoints for crazy acid rolls, and so forth.

My track 'ill?' on this site has some x0xb0x, though it's really not indicative of the sound, since there aren't any slides in there and since I'm processing it through the MD (oh, and x0xb0x through the MD with distortion way up...sweet!). I'll see if I can't post some more stuff.

cchocjr wrote:
The x0xb0x, however, is a straight-up clone of the 303, except for certain parts that are no longer in production.

any idea exactly what components these are? i'm wondering if maybe they could be salvaged from some sort of other early 80s electronic devices that could be found for cheap? stereos, boom boxes, toys, etc... if so, would it be worth it?

One would have to assume he means ICs. Other than that the usual components can be found in many electronics.

I was just playing around with my mpc2500 last night. I have to say what an improvement. I was playing around with a sequence and was able to trim and change sample start/end points. It's quite tweakable. There is also alot of room for improvement on the 2500. Stay tuned... Once you get a hang of it the 2500 can be very tweakable. You do have to take the time to set up your programs but it doesn't take long. I'd say setting up programs on the 2500 is faster than sequencing on the MD.

jbuonacc wrote:

cchocjr wrote:
The x0xb0x, however, is a straight-up clone of the 303, except for certain parts that are no longer in production.

any idea exactly what components these are? i'm wondering if maybe they could be salvaged from some sort of other early 80s electronic devices that could be found for cheap? stereos, boom boxes, toys, etc... if so, would it be worth it?

The rarest components are the high-gain transistors the tb-303 used (2SA733ap) to get its square wave and its distinctive resonance. 2SA733p's are used in there place. Supposedly one could score some of the original parts from old VCRs and such. I've personally ripped apart about 6-8 old VCRs and TVs and found not one.

Conversely, what many have done is buy a large batch of the 733p transistors and used a fancy multimeter or dedicated beta (or gain) testing circuit to identify transistors that have betas in the range of the 303's original parts.

The other rare component is the BA622A chip used in the 303 and other Roland synths of that era. These can be found relatively easily on Ebay for those willing to pay $20 or $30 for a component that does little, if anything, to the sound of the x0xb0x. Perhaps it makes it a little noiser.

If I were you, rather than salvaging, I would try these alternate methods. Either way, you will love the x0xb0x sound, for sure, and you'll be amazed at how many people you can bore to tears by telling them all about how you built your own analog synth..."which is actually a clone of the Roland TB-303, one of the more distinctive voices of early techno...blah...blah...blah."

somewhere along the way, I heard that Roland pedals of that era had those desirable components...

hmm....I dunno, I think I'm just gonna pack away some more dough and get a retro revolution instead.

I expect you will be happy with the Revolution...

I have one and I'm not aware of any specific feature or sound missing on it vs. the 303.

I'm not going to tell you they sound 'identical', but I do think the Revolution sounds 'just as good', and importantly, it is able to get into all the different _types_ of sound I've heard from 303's (wormy, growly, nasally, whistley, etc.).

It definitely met my expectations.

rgmccaig wrote:
I expect you will be happy with the Revolution...

I have one and I'm not aware of any specific feature or sound missing on it vs. the 303.

I'm not going to tell you they sound 'identical', but I do think the Revolution sounds 'just as good', and importantly, it is able to get into all the different _types_ of sound I've heard from 303's (wormy, growly, nasally, whistley, etc.).

It definitely met my expectations.

Just to be clear. I wasn't trying to knock the Revolution at ALL. I still could see myself having one in the future. Future Retro is a badass company--I might just have to get their rack monosynth when it is released. In all honesty--the price of the x0xb0x and the experience of putting it together is what primarily sold me on it. And as a added bonus, it sounds very nice!