UK-based DJW Audio has released DW-303, a free, open-source bass synthesizer and step sequencer modeled on the classic Roland TB-303, according to Synthtopia. The software is available for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Synthtopia reports that rather than using conventional virtual-analog architecture, DW-303 models the TB-303 signal path stage by stage using the original circuit schematic. The developer says the models were fitted against measurements of hardware, including filter resonance, accent and slide circuit behavior.
The synthesizer includes sawtooth and square waveforms, a resonant ladder filter and controls for cutoff, resonance, envelope modulation, decay and accent. A Full quality mode performs the complete circuit simulation, while an Economy mode offers lighter processing, Synthtopia notes.
DW-303 recreates the TB-303’s 16-step programming workflow, with pitch and time modes supporting notes, ties, rests, accents, slides and transposition. Synthtopia says the plugin supports VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP and LV2 formats depending on operating system, plus standalone operation. When synced to a DAW, the sequencer follows host tempo and transport, with patterns saved within the project session.
Synthtopia states DW-303 is available free without license key or activation for macOS 11 or later, Windows 10/11 and Linux x86_64. Source code is released under GPL-3.0-or-later.
For more information, visit synthtopia.com.
