Roland’s TB-303 Software Bass Line is a virtual instrument that models the acid bass synthesizer, with the original circuit behavior reproduced for the squelch and crunch of the hardware.
TB-303 at a glance
| Developer | Roland |
|---|---|
| Type | Instruments / Synth |
| Formats | VST2, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows 10 or later, macOS 11 or later |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Price on Plugin Boutique (October 2026) | €151.13 |
What TB-303 does
The plugin is organized around patterns and patches. Each bank holds 64 patterns and 64 patches, and the package ships with 48 preset patches and 32 preset patterns. Every pattern has eight variations, and the new graphic edit window handles step input, pattern editing and pattern creation in one view.
The sound path models the analog circuit behavior of the original, with the new VCF Trim, Vintage Condition and Master Tune knobs adjusting the circuit, and a Condition knob that sets the age of the virtual hardware. Five play modes are available: Forward, Reverse, Fwd & Rev, Invert and Random. Patterns can be dragged and dropped into the DAW as MIDI or audio data, and position locking is available inside the host.
Key features
- Pattern and patch banks. Each bank holds 64 patterns and 64 patches, with 32 preset patterns and 48 preset patches included in the package.
- Graphic edit window. The new edit window covers step input, pattern editing and pattern creation in a single visual interface.
- Circuit modification knobs. The VCF Trim, Vintage Condition and Master Tune knobs modify the circuit, and the Condition knob adjusts the age of the virtual hardware.
- Play modes and octave spread. Five play modes (Forward, Reverse, Fwd & Rev, Invert and Random) and a six-octave range from C0 to C6 shape how a line is played back.
Use cases
- Acid bass lines. Patterns with the five play modes and the variation system suit the bass lines associated with acid house, which the developer names as the instrument’s origin.
- Pattern sketching. The graphic edit window and the drag-and-drop transfer of MIDI or audio data let a pattern be built in the edit window and moved into the arrangement.
Compatibility
Available formats are VST2, AU and AAX for Windows 10 and macOS 11 in 64-bit builds. Activation is not described and no copy protection is listed.
Who it is for
The plugin suits producers of acid house and electronic dance music who want the TB-303 sound inside a DAW, and sound designers who work with step sequencing and pattern variations.
TB-303 compared with similar plugins
Phoscyon 2 from D16 Group is a synth for Windows and macOS available as VST3, VST2, AU and AAX. Abx3 from Audio Blast adds Linux and Standalone to its formats. Mercury-8 from Cherry Audio is available as VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone.
| Plugin | Developer | Type | Formats | Systems | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB-303 | Roland | Synth | VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €151.13 |
| Acid V | Arturia | Synth | Windows, macOS | €147.76 | |
| Phoscyon 2 | D16 Group | Synth | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €118.01 |
| Abx3 | Audio Blast | Synth | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone | Windows, macOS, Linux | €177.51 |
| Mercury-8 | Cherry Audio | Synth | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone | Windows, macOS | €68.43 |
Price and availability
TB-303 was listed on Plugin Boutique in October 2026 at €151.13. Prices change often, so the store page shows the current one.
TB-303 FAQ
Which formats does TB-303 Software Bass Line come in?
The plugin is listed as VST2, AU and AAX, for Windows and macOS (64-bit).
What is the minimum operating system for this plugin?
The minimum is macOS 11 on Mac and Windows 10 on PC.
How many patterns and patches does each bank hold?
Each bank holds 64 patterns and 64 patches, and the package includes 32 preset patterns and 48 preset patches.
Is there a working serial key or keygen for TB-303?
Searches pair the name with serial key and keygen, and a TB-303 crack is the release most often passed around with those strings.