The x0xb0x, pronounced "zox--box", is one of numerous wannabe clones of the famous acid giant, the Roland TB-303. Ladyada's x0xb0x, however, is better than so many of its competitors. Originally, and currently, sold as a DIY kit, the x0xb0x began life as a graduate student's quest for the perfect TB-303 sound. Ladyada reverse engineered a real TB-303, part by part, and designed a clone that sounds very nearly identical to the TB-303. The kits are extremely popular, so you can expect to wait for some time on their waiting list before one becomes available for sale. Third party companies have also sprung up that offer pre-built x0xb0x synths.

The x0xb0x panel looks pretty much like what you'll find on a TB-303. Emulation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the x0xb0x is trying hard to flatter, but with some modernizations. The x0xb0x is a monophonic synthesizer that you can control via MIDI just like a regular monophonic synth. It also has the requisite sequencer that arranges notes into patterns, and patterns into tracks for a song. Patterns can be synced to MIDI, DINSYNC, and CV. You can also enter the tempo by using tap-tempo. Track play can also sync in a similar fashion. And the x0xb0x can also send sync information to a MIDI sequencer or even an old analog.

The x0xb0x has a USB jack that be used to connect it to a computer for updating the firmware and operating system, external control, as well as using it with third party software tools.

If you are interested in building your own x0xb0x, be prepared to build a fairly advanced electronics project. This is not a beginner's project, but if you have some soldering experience and feel safe around electricity, you can probably build one successfully. You can order the x0xb0x with or without the miniature surface-mount USB jack and chip pre-soldered (it is advisable to pay for this option). And of course, you can customize the machine to your heart's content. There are many sites on the internet that showcase various x0xb0x customizations. You can also find third party companies that sell custom panels for x0xb0x builders.

8 VISITOR COMMENTS

kamei

December 12, 2011 @ 10:27 pm

I'm thinking of buying one. But I think I will study more electronics, and buy the kit. It's cooler.

TheOutsider

December 12, 2011 @ 6:16 pm

Got 2: 1 pre-built (technology transplant), 1 I built. TT unit probs: bad thermistors, cheap pots, sloppy soldering. The kit I built came from Willzyx. Took a week to build but works perfectly. If you have the skills and the patience, building one yourself is the way to go. Be vary wary of pre-built units, and if possible test before you buy. The xoxbox is the 303 I wish my 303 had been. I had a 303 in the early 90s, but destroyed it during a move (it was crushed under a rack that fell).

cxs303

November 3, 2011 @ 2:29 pm

It's so sad, that for some people a 303 is only a cow to milk. Don't get me wrong, the first bunch of Xoxboxes were pretty cool, a freaky project done by students for the Acidfreaks.
But after that, the money comes into play. Some shops sold Xoxboxes of poor quality and not with original components. The result: Tons of [beep] sounding Acid Tracks and unhappy buyers.

Never trust a Xoxbox.

Miroslav

August 5, 2011 @ 9:26 am

Sounds great if it works. I have 2 of them from technologytransplant.com and Mode machines (same cheap units with added logo and Made in Germay sticker). Horrible quality, sequencer stops often, strange wobbbles on 90% percent of resonance, resets from time to time...After 6 months of returns, fixes and mails they're still ignoring my messages. Avoid like the plague and built your own.

Tryptamine

June 14, 2010 @ 5:18 pm

This little box r0x. It gets used often and sounds awesome. It needs some compression since its filter can break both your ears and your speakers.

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