Pure Acid vs Behringer TD3 - let’s just get this straight 🙂

robosardine

We have probably been here before in some other incarnation - but I still can’t work out -
Pure Acid is brilliant. The TD3 is almost a real TB303 replica.
Is there any need for a TD3 if you have Pure Acid?
Is Pure Acid so good that there is no point?
My sense at the moment is that Pure Acid can sound every bit as good - apart from :-
1) The sound difference between switching between the saw and square wave on Pure Acid is less distinct.
2) The Cutoff and Resonance on Pure Acid are very good, but compared to the TD3 the others (envelope, decay and Accent) are noticeably weaker - in particular the accent.

I know that Pure Acid has a huge list of their advantages (brilliant and flexible sequencer/ great effects etc) but I’m asking about end of the day raw, ultimate live playability.
In other words my sense is that Pure Acid is fantastic- apart from the less distinct saw/ square wave and also envelope/decay and particularly the accent - apart from which there would be no need to even think about any another clones. So Pure Acid can sound every bit as good - until you start tweaking it.
What do you think?

rs2000

Sounds like you've already answered your own question

Do you need the hardware experience or is touch screen OK as long as the sound is great?

robosardine

@rs2000 said:
Sounds like you've already answered your own question

Do you need the hardware experience or is touch screen OK as long as the sound is great?

Touch screen would be OK with me or hardware. It’s that sound - as close to the one that curdles you that matters - so I’m grateful to have the option at the end of the day. There can’t be much in it - but there is something… isn’t there?
Both can give you the curdles - but which one can take it that little bit deeper? 🫠

Proppa

I’d say the Feel of (especially) The 303 is relevant when it comes to hands-and that’s a big point to the TD-3 but simultaneously the hardware has a distinct Not built to last feel too so that’s a potential point off for the Behringer.

I believe the short answer might be: if one is into the 303 sound have both PureAcid and a TD-3 (they’re so cheap now), along with Troublemaker as each will provide different acid flavors.

robosardine

@Proppa said:
I’d say the Feel of (especially) The 303 is relevant when it comes to hands-and that’s a big point to the TD-3 but simultaneously the hardware has a distinct Not built to last feel too so that’s a potential point off for the Behringer.

I believe the short answer might be: if one is into the 303 sound have both PureAcid and a TD-3 (they’re so cheap now), along with Troublemaker as each will provide different acid flavors.

Mmmm… sounds nice. I have a TD3 coming…. and I’m looking forward to pairing it up - I was thinking about getting two, but I’ll maybe hold off and see how it goes….. I think I want two though🤔🙂🫣…. but I’ll wait and see 👍

FastGhost

I've got both Pure Acid and Troublemaker, along with a TD-3, a Roland TB-3 and a Roland T-8 which has drum sounds and a 303 type bass synth. Got to admit, convenience has generally been winning for me and I've been using the software far more than the hardware. Of the 3 hardware boxes, the T-8 has been getting the most use thanks to its portability - it's tiny and has a rechargeable battery. Sound-wise, I'm not particularly bothered how "authentic" any of it sounds, every TB-303 sounded slightly different anyway.

MadGav

I have Pure Acid the sequence programming is fantastic, I also have a TD-3 and have used PA to write patterns then re-programmed these into TD-3. We’ve just moved and our studio is still a pile of boxes (also mad work commitments), I really need to spend more time with this combo, but I have slightly preferred the TD-3 sound.

BroCoast

My take:

I have the TD-3 and have compared it to a real 303. It doesn’t do what all vintage Roland synths do and that’s this cool thing happening with the VCA & envelopes where the decay time is always a tiny bit different with each note.

But, I love the TD-3. With Rozeta Bassline…

The power in that kind of sequencer and an almost there clone beats the original for me.

The other thing is the TD-3 makes a great processor for other sounds. At the least you end up with a great filter which imo is still miles better than apps.

Fingolfinzz

I like the td3 a lot but always use pure acid to sequence it lol

dendy

here small compare (also with Troublemaker), hope it helps…

u0421793

what about the Korg NubAss?

anickt

@u0421793 said:
what about the Korg NubAss?

robosardine

@anickt said:

@u0421793 said:
what about the Korg NubAss?

I’ve had one before - they’re ok but I’m not too keen on them. They get a bit quacky too often for me. Plus you can’t hear much difference between the saw and square waves. It’s been a while though. I might have a look at one again - thanks

AndyPlankton

I use both TD3 and PA. Love both.

Tweakability is the main difference. The rotaries on the TD3 make it far more playable. Mapping controls in PA to a controller works, but most controllers encoders do not respond as quickly as those on the unit.
Also the lack of automation recording or MIDI control on the TD3 mean you HAVE to 'play' it, which makes for more interesting output as you are not simply looping the automation.

robosardine

Talking about Pure Acid, I keep forgetting that Groovebox has slide over - so you can be randomising a 909 kit and a couple of Pure Acids at the same time on the same screen. Nice.

robosardine

Just having some good fun with this at the moment - it’s absolutely worth a try if you like that sort of thing.
Is there a way to select different instruments in Groovebox when it’s in its slide over state - or is that asking a bit mucn 😛

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Bietfriek

I’ve got Pure Acid and Troublemaker on iOS, ABL3 on MacBook and got a TD-3 as a gift. Pure Acid is my favorite on iOS, the TD-3 for me has the biggest fun factor. If you like the acid sound you can’t go wrong on any of them, especially when it comes to pricing.

BroCoast

@ehehehe said:

@AndyPlankton said:
I use both TD3 and PA. Love both.

Tweakability is the main difference. The rotaries on the TD3 make it far more playable. Mapping controls in PA to a controller works, but most controllers encoders do not respond as quickly as those on the unit.
Also the lack of automation recording or MIDI control on the TD3 mean you HAVE to 'play' it, which makes for more interesting output as you are not simply looping the automation.

If you have a working midi controller the encoders shouldn't matter, you might have a faulty or bad unit. You can also just impose live playing on the AU, so not really a very big thing.

Getting this unless you are an acid freak and must have all flavours, I think is not worth it at all. One box, one sound, Mehringer, landfill. Nobody will notice in a mix, and this wouldn't be on my first ten hw boxes list if I somehow became a millionaire. No need, nobody will notice the difference in a mix. You have probably been the victim of some good marketing.

Ha, I had no real reason to buy one but I must say it’s one of my favourite purchases ever. I only bought it for cheap to use as Midi to CV for old Roland gear that needs 12v Gate.

Frank303

Have a korg nano kontrol dedicated to pure acid and it basically works the same as the hw, at least for me never having owned the original. Top row knobs for all basics and faders for delay etc etc. Works a charm for me, lots of fun. Do two instances of PA and have knobs for the one and the faders for the second 😇

robosardine

Yes - that’s it now - done for good - I got the TB3 and have now sold it again. It may well score a few points over Pure Acid, but overall it’s no contest. Pure Acid just us so many features and the sequencer is a dream - and of course it does sound fantastic. Knocked clean out in the second round.

Apex

This can be said about a lot synths honestly. Are apps “good enough”? That’s up to the individual user. But there are indeed real sonic (and ergonomic) difference.

cyberheater

@robosardine said:
Yes - that’s it now - done for good - I got the TB3 and have now sold it again. It may well score a few points over Pure Acid, but overall it’s no contest. Pure Acid just us so many features and the sequencer is a dream - and of course it does sound fantastic. Knocked clean out in the second round.

I love software beating hardware

AndyPlankton

Depending on your iPad or iPhone version, one killer feature for the TD3 - It has a headphone jack

mjm1138

I had a TD-3 and spent some time comparing it with PA, basically lining up the knobs and seeing if the sound was similar. It was spot-on enough that I sold the TD-3. The immediacy of the knobs was a ton of fun, but the sequencer is a PITA and it was taking up space on my desk. I have a Volca Bass and a Volca Nubass. Neither are a 303 clone (as has been discussed extensively) but they both compete in the same space and I don't really have a ready software equivalent of either, so that's why I keep them around.

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Slush

I used to own a TB-303 in the 90ties. All that I remember from it is that it was such a piece of plastic for a lot of money. Sold it a couple of years later for the same price I bought it for. The sound kind of grows old, it’s great for that specific acid sound but it’s an one trick pony. But I always admired what Richie Hawtin could get out of the 303 when he still did all that experimental minimal stuff.

robosardine

@AndyPlankton said:
Depending on your iPad or iPhone version, one killer feature for the TD3 - It has a headphone jack

I have four - this weekend I’m going to have an acid party Air1 - Pure Acid….. second Air1- another Pure Acid …. Air2 background samples via Blocs Wave and Koala…. Air4 (with headphone adaptor) - all drums and percussion…. each with a massive variety of effects to choose from…….. and not a midi cable in sight 😋

BroCoast

@ehehehe said:

@Apex said:
This can be said about a lot synths honestly. Are apps “good enough”? That’s up to the individual user. But there are indeed real sonic (and ergonomic) difference.

Not with all digital synths. A cheap analogue can easily sound worse than good software by now, and nobody ever notices. Agree on the ergonomics, but it isn't justified by the economics. Just get a midi-controller and learn it. Bonus is you don't need another plastic enclosure made without longevity as a design feature.

What is wrong with plastic?

For 100 bucks it does a lot in my setup.

Danny_Mammy

@BroCoast said:

@ehehehe said:

@Apex said:
This can be said about a lot synths honestly. Are apps “good enough”? That’s up to the individual user. But there are indeed real sonic (and ergonomic) difference.

Not with all digital synths. A cheap analogue can easily sound worse than good software by now, and nobody ever notices. Agree on the ergonomics, but it isn't justified by the economics. Just get a midi-controller and learn it. Bonus is you don't need another plastic enclosure made without longevity as a design feature.

What is wrong with plastic?

For 100 bucks it does a lot in my setup.

boy you have some nice toys! I'm jealous.

Danny_Mammy

I got the TD3 MO. I love it.