After checking out a x0xb0x at the Pacific Northwest Synth Gathering/Meeting/Extravaganza I’ve decided that I need to build one for myself.

This is what my x0xb0x will look like someday!


A x0xb0x, in case you don’t know, is a reproduction of the Roland TB-303 with some extras. I’ve always been a fan of the 303 sound** and have toyed with the idea of buying a real one, but they are very expensive (thanks, acid music!) and can be a bit cantankerous. Besides, the x0xb0x adds some nifty features that the original didn’t have, like MIDI, USB and the ability to play it directly without using the sequencer.

I could buy one pre-made (they’re like $1000), or I could get on the waiting list for a kit (some of the parts are really rare), but I’ve decided that I’m going to source my own parts and make a nice long drawn-out project out of it. In fact, I’ve got my first part already.

x0xb0x board front

 

That’s the PCB I ordered from the Adafruit store. Yep, there it is. One PCB. One empty PCB. Hmm… Maybe the back is more exciting.

x0xb0x board back

 

Okay, so this project is pretty boring so far. I haven’t actually gotten to build anything yet. I just figured that if I ordered the board (a big part I can’t use for anything else) then I had to build my x0xb0x. It was a motivational strategy, really. Now I guess I’d better start finding some rare parts so I can solder stuff.

**When you get the resonance going and start cranking that filter it’s like the aural equivalent of when pop bubbles go up the back of your nose.

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