The Roland TB-303 doesn’t have MIDI or CV/Gate to enable external control of its voices. It does have a DIN Sync port that allows it to be synchronised with other equipment. It does have its own CV and GATE sockets, but they are output sockets for controlling other synths. Kenton offers a variety of options to get your TB-303 connected to MIDI, depending on whether you want to control the voices, or just sync with other MIDI equipment.
For current products:
- Sync your TB-303 with your DAW or sequencer
- Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro-Solo Mk3
- Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a USB Solo (not currently available)
- Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Modular Solo (not currently available)
For previous products:
- Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro Solo MkII
- Control notes and filter with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro Solo MkI
- Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro 2000
- Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro 2
- Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro 4
See below for further details on each of these options.
Fitting a Socket Upgrade Kit to your TR-303 is a skilled job which should be undertaken only by a competent synth service engineer or fitted by us at our premises in Epsom, near London (UK customers only).
1 – Sync with your DAW or sequencer
The TB-303 has a 5 pin socket for sync input. This will enable you to run the TB-303 in synchronisation with your sequencer. In this mode, you will need to program the patterns you want to play, directly into the TB-303. You will need to program the TB-303 in the normal way, from its own front panel, you will not be able to use any added CV, Gate sockets for programming.
When you start your sequencer, the TB-303 will play the patterns in time with your sequencer. You will always have to start the sequence from the top as the TB-303 will not recognise song position pointers. If you only want to run the TB-303 in sync you do not need to get any additional sockets fitted.
If you just want to sync your TB-303 using the MIDI Clock, see our Converting between MIDI and DIN Sync page.
Note that the SYNC IN socket on the TB-303 can fail as the soldered joints to the DIN socket pins become cracked and require re-soldering.
2 – Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro-Solo Mk3
Which products do I need?
Kenton offers 2 versions of its TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit – one with 3 sockets (CV, Gate and Filter) and one with 5 (CV, Gate, Filter, Accent and Slide).
You will also need a Pro Solo Mk3 and 3 or 5 x 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm mono jack leads.
In addition, the Pro Solo Mk3 allows you to control pitchbend, modulation and portamento.
Connecting the Pro Solo Mk3 to the TB-303
Connect your TB-303 to your Pro Solo Mk3 as follows:
| Pro Solo Mk3 | Roland TB-303 | Using |
| CV (Hz/V) | CV IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | Gate IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX 1 | Filter | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX 2 | Accent | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX 3 | Slide | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
Configuring the Pro Solo Mk3
Configure your Pro Solo as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| CV (Hz/V) | P15 – CV/Hz | [CV] 1 Volt per Octave (default) |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | P16 – Gate Type | [g05] Gate (V-trig) at +5V (default) for 3 socket kit Or [g15] Gate (V-trig) at +15V for 5 socket kit |
| AUX 1 | P20 – Aux 1 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
| AUX 2 | P30 – Aux 2 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use2 |
| AUX 3 | P40 – Aux 3 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use2 |
Notes
1. The Pro Solo Mk3 will also allow you to use its own ADSR Envelope Generator to modify the filter cutoff.
2. Use a value of 0 for OFF, and 127 for ON
3 – Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a USB Solo
Which products do I need?
Kenton offers 2 versions of its TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit – one with 3 sockets (CV, Gate and Filter) and one with 5 (CV, Gate, Filter, Accent and Slide).
You will also need 3 or 5 x 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm mono jack leads.
Connecting the USB Solo to the TB-303
Connect your TB-303 to your USB Solo as follows:
| USB Solo | Roland TB-303 | Using |
| CV (Hz/V) | CV IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | Gate IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX 1 | Filter | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX 2 | Accent | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX 3 (CLOCK) | Slide | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
Configuring the USB Solo
Configure your USB Solo as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| CV (Hz/V) | P15 – CV/Hz | [CV] 1 Volt per Octave (default) |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | P16 – Gate Type | [g05] Gate (V-trig) at +5V (default) for 3 socket kit Or [g15] Gate (V-trig) at +15V for 5 socket kit |
| AUX 1 | P20 – Aux 1 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use |
| AUX 2 | P42 – Aux 2 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
| AUX 3 | P40 – Aux 3 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
Notes
1. Use a value of 0 for OFF, and 127 for ON
4 – Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Modular Solo
Which products do I need?
Kenton offers 2 versions of its TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit – one with 3 sockets (CV, Gate and Filter) and one with 5 (CV, Gate, Filter, Accent and Slide).
You will also need 3 or 5 x 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm mono jack leads.
Connecting the Modular Solo to the TB-303
Connect your TB-303 to your Pro Solo Mk3 as follows:
| Modular Solo | Roland TB-303 | Using |
| CV (Hz/V) | CV IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | Gate IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX 1 | Filter | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX 2 | Accent | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX 3 (CLOCK) | Slide | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
Configuring the Modular Solo
Configure your Modular Solo as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| CV (Hz/V) | P15 – CV/Hz | [CV] 1 Volt per Octave (default) |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | P16 – Gate Type | [g05] Gate (V-trig) at +5V (default) for 3 socket kit Or [g12] Gate (V-trig) at +12V for 5 socket kit |
| AUX 1 | P20 – Aux 1 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use |
| AUX 2 | P40 – Aux 2 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
| AUX 3 | P50 – Aux 3 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
Notes
Use a value of 0 for OFF, and 127 for ON
5 – Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro Solo MkII
Which products do I need?
Kenton offers 2 versions of its TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit – one with 3 sockets (CV, Gate and Filter) and one with 5 (CV, Gate, Filter, Accent and Slide).
If you are using the 5 socket kit, you will need a 1 x 5 pin DIN plug to 2 x 3.5mm jack plug lead to access AUX 2 and 3 on the Pro Solo MkII
You will also need 3 or 5 x 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm mono jack leads.
Connecting the Pro Solo MkII to the TB-303
Connect your TB-303 to your Pro Solo MkII as follows:
| Pro Solo MkII | Roland TB-303 | Using |
| CV (Hz/V) | CV IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | Gate IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 1 | Filter | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 2 | Accent | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 3 | Slide | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
Configuring the Pro Solo MkII
Configure your Pro Solo MkII as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| CV (Hz/V) | P15 – CV/Hz | [CV] 1 Volt per Octave (default) |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | P16 – Gate Type | [g05] Gate (V-trig) at +5V (default) for 3 socket kit Or [g15] Gate (V-trig) at +15V for 5 socket kit |
| AUX 1 | P20 – Aux 1 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use |
| THRU | P42 – Thru / Sync 24/Aux 2+3 select | [Au] Aux 2+3 |
| AUX 2 | P43 – Aux 2 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
| AUX 3 | P44 – Aux 3 Controller | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
Notes
1. Use a value of 0-63 for OFF, and 64-127 for ON
6 – Control notes and filter with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro-Solo MkI
Which products do I need?
As the Pro Solo MkI only has 1 Aux output, it will only work with the 3 socket kit– see TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit.
You will also need 3 x 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm mono jack leads
Connecting the Pro Solo MkI to the TB-303
Connect your TB-303 to your Pro Solo Mk3 as follows:
| Pro Solo MkI | Roland TB-303 | Using |
| CV (Hz/V) | CV IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | Gate IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| AUX | Filter | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
Configuring the Pro Solo MkI
Configure your Pro Solo MkI as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| CV (Hz/V) | i – CV/Hz | [CV] 1 V/Oct (default) |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | j – Gate Type | [G-] Gate (V-trig) at +5V (default) |
| AUX 1 | 8 – Aux Controller | whichever CC you wish to use |
7 – Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro 2000
Which products do I need?
Kenton offers 2 versions of its TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit – one with 3 sockets (CV, Gate and Filter) and one with 5 (CV, Gate, Filter, Accent and Slide).
You will also need 3 or 5 x 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm mono jack leads.
Connecting the Pro 2000 to the TB-303
Connect your TB-303 to your Pro 2000 as follows:
| Pro 2000 | Roland TB-303 | Using |
| CV A or B | CV IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| GATE A or B | Gate IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 1 | Filter | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 2 | Accent | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 3 | Slide | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
Note
You can use any of the 3 auxes for Filter, Accent and Slide
Configuring the Pro 2000
Configure your Pro 2000 as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| CV A or B | CV x CV/HZ Select | Volt/Oct (default) |
| GATE A or B | CV x Gate Select | Gate (V-trig) 5V pull-up (default) for 3 socket kit Or Gate (V-trig) 15V pull-up for 5 socket kit |
| AUX 1 | Aux x Controller | whichever CC you wish to use |
| AUX 2 | Aux x Controller | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
| AUX 3 | Aux x Controller | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
Notes
1. Use a value of 0 for OFF, and 127 for ON
8 – Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro 2
Which products do I need?
Kenton offers 2 versions of its TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit – one with 3 sockets (CV, Gate and Filter) and one with 5 (CV, Gate, Filter, Accent and Slide).
You will also need 3 or 5 x 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm mono jack leads.
Connecting the Pro 2 to the TB-303
Connect your TB-303 to your Pro 2 as follows:
| Pro 2 | Roland TB-303 | Using |
| CV CHANNEL A | CV IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| GATE CHANNEL A | Gate IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 1 CHANNEL A | Filter | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 2 CHANNEL A | Accent | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 2 CHANNEL B | Slide | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
Configuring the Pro 2
Configure your Pro 2 as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| CV CHANNEL A | CV x CV/HZ Select | Volt/Oct (default) |
| GATE CHANNEL A | CV x Gate Select | Gate (V-trig) 5V pull-up (default) for 3 socket kit Or Gate (V-trig) 15V pull-up for 5 socket kit |
| AUX 1 CHANNEL A | AUX A-1 SOURCE | whichever CC you wish to use |
| AUX 2 CHANNEL A | AUXA-2 SOURCE | whichever CC you wish to use1 Set ther Aux 2 Channel A trimmer on the Pro 2’s front panel to minimum |
| AUX 2 CHANNEL A | AUX A-2 OFFSET | 0 (default) |
| AUX 2 CHANNEL B | AUX B-2 SOURCE | whichever CC you wish to use1 Set ther Aux 2 Channel B trimmer on the Pro 2’s front panel to minimum |
| AUX 2 CHANNEL B | AUX B-2 OFFSET | 0 (default) |
Notes
1. For accent and slide, use a value of 0 for OFF, and 65 for ON
9 – Control notes, filter, and optionally accent and slide with MIDI using a TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit and a Pro 4
Which products do I need?
Kenton offers 2 versions of its TB-303 Socket Upgrade Kit – one with 3 sockets (CV, Gate and Filter) and one with 5 (CV, Gate, Filter, Accent and Slide).
You will also need 3 or 5 x 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm mono jack leads.
Connecting the Pro 4 to the TB-303
Connect your TB-303 to your Pro 4 as follows:
| Pro 4 | Roland TB-303 | Using |
| CV A, B, C or D | CV IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| GATE A, B, C or D | Gate IN | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 1 | Filter | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 2 | Accent | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
| Aux 3 | Slide | 3.5 to 3.5mm mono jack lead |
Note
You can use any of the 8 auxes for Filter, Accent and Slide
Configuring the Pro 4
Configure your Pro 4 as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| GATE A, B, C or D | CV x Trigger Jack Socket | Gate (V-trig) 5V (default) for 3 socket kit Or Gate (V-trig) 15V for 5 socket kit |
| Aux 1 | AUX > 1 CONTROLLER | whichever CC you wish to use |
| Aux 1 | AUX > 1 OUTPUT LEVEL For cntrl Min | 0 (default) |
| Aux 2 | AUX > 2 CONTROLLER | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
| Aux 2 | AUX > 2 OUTPUT LEVEL For cntrl Min | 0 (default) |
| Aux 3 | AUX > 3 CONTROLLER | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
| Aux 3 | AUX > 3 OUTPUT LEVEL For cntrl Min | 0 (default) |
Notes
1. For accent and slide, use a value of 0 for OFF, and 65 for ON
Learn more about MIDI to CV
If you don’t know anything about MIDI to CV converters and would like to know more, read the following page on our website:
