The Crow Hill Co. has introduced VAULTS – Acid Synth, the latest addition to its growing lineup of free virtual instruments. This plugin is a tribute to the legendary Roland TB-303 Bass Line, the synthesizer that played a pivotal role in shaping Acid House and electronic dance music.
A Synth That Defined a Genre
Originally released in 1981, the Roland TB-303 was intended to mimic an electric bass guitar, offering an affordable rhythm section when paired with the TR-606 Drumatix drum machine. However, its attempt to replicate a bass guitar fell short, leading to its commercial failure and discontinuation.
Despite its early demise, the TB-303 found a new life in the hands of DJ Pierre and Phuture, who discovered its unique sonic capabilities by manipulating the filter and resonance knobs. Their experimentation led to the birth of Acid House, a genre that shaped underground electronic music and fueled the warehouse rave scene of the late 1980s.
Bringing the Acid Sound to Modern Production
VAULTS – Acid Synth captures the essence of the TB-303’s iconic sound, offering intuitive controls to create the signature squelchy, resonant acid basslines. The interface is designed for newcomers and experienced producers, allowing users to craft authentic acid sounds easily.
Features
- Cutoff Control – 24dB lowpass filter for adjusting high frequencies, automatically mapped to MIDI CC1.
- Resonance – Enhances the filter’s peak to achieve the signature acid squelch.
- Modulation (MOD) – Controls voltage sent to the filter, creating dynamic sound variations.
- Decay – Adjusts the envelope decay time for shaping notes.
- Effects – Includes Echo for delay and Splosh, an algorithmic reverb simulating a cavernous space.
- Glide Effect – When playing legato, overlapping MIDI notes create a natural glide between pitches, replicating the behavior of the original TB-303.
Download VAULTS – Acid Synth for Free
VAULTS – Acid Synth is now available as a free download. Visit The Crow Hill Co.’s website to get this classic acid bass sound in your DAW.