KENTON TB-303 5 Socket Kit Instructions
- June 17, 2024
- KENTON
Table of Contents
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 0 to +5 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 = off and +5
volts for slide = on.
Slide 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
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 reliably!)
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
Troubleshooting:
- Ensure that your CV converter is on and working, and is set to the same MIDI channel you are transmitting on.
- Ensure that the TB-303 plays OK without any CV / Gate / Filter / Slide / Accent leads connected.
- 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).
- Try just the Gate on its 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.
- Try just the CV on its 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
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Any other tuning problems must be addressed using the controls on your CV converter
Notes on using the Din Sync 24 input:
The TB-303 also has a 5 pin socket for sync input fitted as standard. This can
be connected to the Sync 24 output on your converter (if it has one). This
will enable you to run the TB-303 in synchronisation with your sequencer. In
this mode, you must program the patterns you want to play directly into the
TB-303 from its own front panel.
When you start your sequencer, the TB-303 will then play the patterns in time
with your sequence. You will always have to start the sequence from the top as
the TB-303 will not recognise song position pointers.
Troubleshooting Din Sync 24:
- The lead you need for connecting Sync 24 may look like a MIDI lead, but it is not. MIDI leads only require three connections out of the possible 5 on the 5 pin DIN socket, the sync connection requires that all 5 wires are connected, which means that many MIDI leads won’t work. You will need to get a standard 5 pin DIN to 5 pin DIN to 5 pin DIN lead which Kenton can supply. (If you are connecting to a Pro-Solo, you will need a 5 pin din to 2 mini jack plug lead, Kenton can supply that too.)
- You need to make sure that the clock output is enabled on your sequencer, this is very often on a setup page or on a pull-down menu. The Sync 24 output on Kenton converters cannot be disabled, so if your TB-303 doesn’t start with your sequencer, you can be sure that the converter isn’t receiving MIDI sync. Alternatively, you may have a faulty or incorrect lead or even maybe a faulty sync input socket on the TB-303.
- MIDI sync isn’t on any particular MIDI channel, it’s on a sort of global channel of its own.
Kenton Electronics www.kentonuk.com
Unit 3, Epsom Downs Metro Centre, Waterfield, Tadworth, KT20 5LR, UK
Tel: 020-8544-9200 Fax: 020-8544-9300
International Tel: +44 20-8544-9200 Fax +44 20-8544-9300