The acid bassline is a classic element to the O.G. rave sound. Here are our top 5 digital recreations of the iconic Roland TB-303 Bass Line synth.
Serum
Sophisticated wavetable synthesizer that provides high-quality music and graphics as well as a creative workflow-oriented layout.
Xfer Records’ Serum is a highly advanced and sonically versatile wavetable synthesizer. A must-own for any producer due to its ability to create an extremely wide range of sounds, it is more than capable of recreating the iconic acid bassline.
Serum can be downloaded here
AudioRealism Bass Line 3
Powerful, versatile, and authentic 303 emulation plug-in that can elevate your music production to new heights.
AudioRealism Bass Line 3 (ABL3) by AudioRealism is an emulation of a classic pattern based bass machine from 1982. The legendary silver box that is hallmark in electronic music has been recreated in ABL3 using analog modeling techniques to create a DSP-algorithm that accurately emulates every aspect of the original, from growling basses to hollow middles and beeping highs with metal rattling accents. Patterns are composed in a fashion similar to the original using the integrated step sequencer with easy to use manipulation functions such as transpose and randomization.
AudioRealism Bass Line 3 can be downloaded here
Acid V
Essential, abrasive, in-your-face bass.
Acid V by Arturia is a software instrument modeled on the cult-classic bass synth that defined the punchy, abrasive sound of acid and rave. Pump your mixes full of ever-evolving bass grooves and mutated sequences with an array of updated modern features, including an advanced sequencer, multi-mode distortion, quick-fire modulation, and much more.
Acid V can be downloaded here
Phosycon 2
The definitive 303 emulation with a super-convenient sequencer to immediately get your creative juices flowing.
D16 Group has examined the 303 with a laser focus, presenting software which not only sounds unbelievably reminiscent of an original but provides all of the additional elements that you could possibly need in order to go the full 303 mile.
Phosycon 2 can be downloaded here
TB-303 Software Bass Line
The Original. Rolands very own software edition of their iconic hardware.
With an unmistakable sonic signature brimming with warmth, energy, and character, the Roland TB-303 Bass Line defined the acid house movement of the late 1980s. Widely misunderstood when launched in 1981, the true revolution began several years later when electronic music producers rediscovered the quirky box, unleashing the hypnotic, liquid sound that captivated a generation. The TB-303 Software Bass Line delivers this historic instrument in a DAW plug-in, with circuit-level sonic accuracy and useful modern enhancements.
TB-303 Software Bass Line can be downloaded here