Based on the legendary TB-303, the x0xb0x was an underground legend all its own, one that helped popularize the open-source hardware movement. And now it’s back, in a digital emulation of the original hardware, from x0xb0x’s original creator.
I do mean open-source hardware generally, not just open-source music gear. The x0xb0x was the first big hit for Limor Fried and her Ladyada site and went on to be a model for many DIYers interested exploring hardware, including our own MeeBlip project and the runaway hit that was Mutable Instruments, along with a broader discussion of open-source licensing for hardware creations and makers.
Limor co-created and co-marketed the x0xb0x with an unidentified German engineer. It seems that unidentified engineer has resurfaced, with the fine folks of Michigan Synth Works.
So to be clear, yes, this is a digital emulation of an analog recreation of the TB-303 (which, arguably, is a really weird analog emulation of a bass player). The problem with the x0xb0x has become that the parts available a little over 20 years ago just aren’t around anymore.
And so now we get Digix0x. It’s all digital; your chance to “create digital music,” if I were to coin a phrase. Everything is now digitally modeled. That doesn’t dilute the appeal of the analog x0xb0x and its successors; more like this is a digital x0x for the ages. If the AI does take over and murder us all, I hope it will organize some jam sessions with this. Like, I’ve seen Battlestar Galactica; you got to do something to stay entertained as all-powerful AI or things get weird.
But significantly, like its successor, this will be fully open-source.
The official announcement from Michigan Synth Works, who are showing this at Knobcon:
From the creator of the iconic x0xb0x, this is an open source digital emulation of the device that started the DIY bug for so many people. Guest has spent several years modeling every aspect of the 303 sound and this is result.
And here’s how it sounds:
More details as I get them. But this seems to be great news.
If it’s all a little too digital for you, MWS also have this analog kit going:
And I haven’t even gotten to the 303-inspired analog synth they’re also unveiling this week.
Basically, if you can do something with the 303 in some digital or analog form, it seems MSW are on it. Drop acid however you like.
Blasts from the past
To peer back at some of that history, here’s some vintage video of the x0xb0x project. (x0xb0x made an appearance, with Limor and Phil, at one of the first events in the MusicMakers/Handmade Music series I did, back at its birthplace in the old Etsy offices in Brooklyn.)
It was a different time. Here’s the connection to the Open Hardware Summit, which sought to set out a framework for open source gear:
How different a time was it? It feels like another century, not another decade. Here’s Limor talking about DIY on Bloomberg(!)
(also, ha, Chris Anderson!)
The mysterious German engineer, of course, you’ll have to imagine — they don’t appear in the videos.