303 like seq.

[Fraser, Colin J]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Maddox [mailto:space_banana at hotmail.com]
> Sent: 07 June 1999 14:05
> To: PMvanNugteren at gmx.net
> Cc: synth-diy at mailhost.bpa.nl
> Subject: Re: 303 like seq.
> 
> >But maybe I'll just make a copy of the original 303 seq. It 
> would safe
> >me a lot of programming that's for sure. Only the parts I 
> worry about, I
> >must find some which can replace the original ones they're 
> quite rare.
> >I'd rather keep the 303 parts available for real fanatics.
> >Has anyone got experienced with that thing?
> >
> 
> You wont be able to get the Micro used, it was an hitachi 
> thing (I think) 
> and was preprogrammed at the factory...

There is a small chance that some Roland distributors may still have some
303 processors as spares.
I know of someone that bought one not too long ago in Germany, though the UK
seem to be out.
I have bought a 606 processor in the last 6 months (same proc as 303,
different firmware) - cost 12ukp.

I have a set of PCBs for the 303 cpu and switch board, so one day I will
reverse engineer a plug in replacement 303 processor using a modern RISC
microcontroller on a daughter board.
Plenty other things to get done first though. I just want to be able to
protect my own 303 from the possibility of processor failure.

As a sequencer, the 303 is groovy as hell, but a bit limited, and it's hard
to achieve anything if you plan to do it. 
Programming one of your own is fun !


Colin f