Instruction Manual

Instructions for using a TB-303 fitted with the Kenton 3 socket kit
Setting up:
The CV & Gate sockets fitted as standard to the TB-303 are output sockets, the Kenton added sockets are inputs.
The three added Kenton sockets are 3.5mm mono jack sockets (mini jacks). In order to connect to a Kenton
converter, you will need three mini jack to mini jack leads.
You will need a MIDI to CV converter set up in the following way:
CV output should be Volts/Octave mode
Gate should be v-trig (standard gate) where zero volts = note off and a minimum of +5 volts = note on
Auxiliary output should have a range of 0 to +5 volts from min to max (for filter)
Playing the sounds:
You need both CV & Gate signals to control an analogue synthesiser. The CV signal tells it what note to
play (CV means control voltage). The Gate signal tells it when to play the note.
Connect the CV In of the TB-303 to the CV Out of your CV converter
Connect the Gate In of the TB-303 to the Gate Out of your CV converter
Do not connect the Filter input for now.
Provided you have connected the cables correctly, and your MIDI to CV converter is set up properly, the TB-303
will now play from your MIDI keyboard.
Note that the TB-303 will not play notes below about MIDI note #41 or above about MIDI note #96 – this is due to
the design of the TB-303.
Filter:
Once you have got the notes playing correctly, connect the filter jack to an auxiliary output. This should be an
output which gives a variable output between 0 and 5 volts – usually controlled by a MIDI continuous controller
such as one of the standard MIDI controllers #0 – #119 or aftertouch or velocity. Kenton converters usually have
the auxiliaries assigned to controller #16 by default. As the voltage is changed from 0 to +5 volts, the filter cutoff
frequency will get higher, allowing more high frequency components of the signal through.
N.B. The filter input is a voltage input. It is not an audio input to the filter section.
For the Pro-Solo set Aux min to 0 and aux max to 50. For the Pro-2000 set aux min to 0 and aux max to +25
Troubleshooting:
1) Ensure that your CV converter is on and working, and is set to the same MIDI channel you are transmitting on.
2) Ensure that the TB-303 plays OK without any CV / Gate / Filter leads connected.
3) Check that your connecting leads are not faulty and that they have 3.5mm mono jacks on the end connected to
the TB-303 (not stereo jacks).
4) Try just the Gate on it’s own. You should get a note playing on the TB-303 in time with the note played on your
MIDI keyboard. It will be the same note all the time without the CV lead connected.
5) Try just the CV on it’s own. You will need to operate the internal sequencer of the TB-303 for this in order to
trigger the notes, but the CV should follow the notes you play on your MIDI keyboard
6) Don’t connect the filter input until you are sure that everything else is working OK as with certain settings,
the filter can stop any sound being heard.
7) If the TB-303 sounds when you release your note and is silent while the note is pressed, you have the Gate
output of your CV converter set to the wrong mode. It must be set to v-trig mode (a voltage is present at the
gate output when a note is played).
8) If the tuning is wrong and the intervals between notes get bigger as you go up the scale, your CV converter is
set to the wrong type of scaling. It should be set to Volt/Octave mode.