On all major synth by Roland, you'll find a cassette-interface, external memory cartridge, sysex dump ... or any other way to save your datas. On the TB-303 you have the hidden pen-and-paper interface to save your lines. Here's how it works :
First prepare on your spreadsheet program, word-processing tool or even on a paper with a pen, the following data entry grid :
The "DUAS" label meaning : Down / Up / Accent / Slide !!!
At this point we admit that you know how to program a TB-303 and you are friend with terms like PATTERN WRITE MODE, PITCH MODE, TIME MODE and so on ... if it isn't the case, then read the step-by-step programing guide first !!!
OK ? Now grab your 303 and select the line you want to backup, switch to PATTERN WRITE (don't worry we are not going to write anything !!!).
We need first to enter the notes and the specials informations, push PITCH, now you'll get note info (the light on the keyboard) and the specials infos (the lights under the Down/Up/Accent/Slide labels) by pushing AND holding the WRITE/NEXT button. Start writing it on your paper like this : for the note just enter the note value (C#, F ...) and for the specials infos, just fill the square under the appropriate value, like this :
Once you have written the 16th and last step, press FUNCTION to switch to normal mode, then TIME to enter TIME MODE. Now you have all the time information (black note, white note or rest), write it down too. When the 303 is at the end of your line it turns back to normal mode automaticaly. Count how much TIME info you have filled in and you'll get your bassline's lenght !
Woaw, your line is now safe !!! You can even share your line with others (for remixes), they have all infos to rewrite the same line on another TB !! For remixes : try to change just a bit of TIME info on the same line, it will sounds different but with the same notes !!! Pretty cool !!
Now backup all your favorite lines and jump to the trip & tricks page : you'll know how to create 64 random patterns safely, with your backups !