Kenton TB303 3 v.2 User Manual

Kenton Hardware

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Instructions for using a TB-303 fitted with the Kenton 5 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 five added Kenton sockets are 3.5mm mono jack sockets (mini jacks). In order to connect to a Kenton
converter, you will need up to five 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 +12 volts = note on
Auxiliary 1 output should have a range of 0 to +5 volts from min to max (for filter)
Auxiliary 2 output should have a range of +5 to 0 volts from min to max (for slide) – ideally controller #65
Auxiliary 3 output should have a range of 0 to +5 volts from min to max (for accent

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 other inputs for now. Get the notes playing first.

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

Slide:

When the filter is working OK, connect the slide jack to the second auxiliary output. Please note that this voltage
needs to be zero for slide = on and +5 volts for slide = off (you can easily set a Pro-Solo or Pro-2000 to do this.
Slide is either on or off, apply either the on voltage or the off voltage.
For the Pro-Solo set Aux min to 50 and aux max to 0. For the Pro-2000 set aux min to +25 and aux max to 0

Accent:

When the slide is working OK, connect the accent jack. Zero volts = accent off and +5 volts = accent on. Note that
the accent will not work if your CV converter doesn’t give a high enough gate voltage – it must give at least 12 volts
for a note on. (The sounds will still play with a lower voltage – it’s just the accent that won’t work!)
Accent is either on or off, apply either the on voltage or the off voltage.
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

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