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So here's scans of the original Ads for the TB303, MC202, Jupiter6 and Roland Vocoder..
The TB303 was originally a partner for the TR-606 Drumatix Drummachine. They connected via a DIN cable, and could be locked together in Sync. Other Machines using DinSync included the other MC sequencers, the TR808, 707 & 727. You could use the Roland SBX-10 and SBX-80 to lock the lot to tape. It would also sync with the PPG Wave 2.3, The Fairlight II, Some Korg Boxes (at half speed) and By way of the Garfield DrClick, SMPTE!! The 303 sounded pretty bad as synths go, but it had a unique sound and feel that has never been accuratly reproduced. The 303 came with a plastic carry-case, 2 manuals and a 'chord wheel' plastic slide-rule that would help you work out basslines given the chords in use. They started selling at 299- sterling, and were soon found on offer with a TR-606 for 199- sterling the pair! Currently (2009) You can expect to pay 1200euro for a 303 alone, with it's brother the 606 fetching 400euro in working condition. Actually, You can forget Ever Owning one, but can enjoy the MANY software emulations instead... This is the same as realising You will never get to sleep with Akane Hotaru, but can enjoy her films instead for a similer effect.
The MC202 is a 2-channel sequencer, with tape Load/Save ability for sequences & A slightly better version of the SH-101 Synth on-board. It has 1 DIN SYNC input and 3 Outputs, and 2 CV/GATE outputs - so finds itself useful as a master-clock for a 101/202/303/808 setup. The 202 ended up being sold off for 249- sterling at end of life, and it held this value through the millenium due to it's issues with CV/GATE inputs - it needs a modification to allow it to be used as an expander as the CV/GATE ins are actually for programming the Sequencer - so after about 500 notes, it locks up!!!! The 202 sounds like an extreme version of the SH-101 - so it's thin like a 101, but interesting, and Highly modifiable into what could be the ultimate c-cell machine! In fact, Once Modified, it Shits all over the 101, 303 & Sh09 etc., and IMHO does a more 'colourfull' acid sound then the 303! Like the 303 & 606, the 202 ran on c-cell batteries, so if You find one, make sure it's not been ruined by a flood of acid from the battery compartment!
The Jupiter 6 was the 'middle-range' machine from Roland. Both Basic MIDI and Non-MIDI (but DCB) versions exist. It has 6 voices, Memories, and is alot rarer then the Jupiter 8 and 4. Although they sound thin compared to a Jupiter 8, and suffer the same-ish crappy single filter as the Juno 106, they are as close as You can get to the flagship Jupiter8 for under 2 grand. They STILL change hands for near list price! If you see one, get it, and expect the joy of one of the last Monster-polys from the 80's.. This was released well after the Jupiter 8, so fixed alot of the failures the J8 had. It also has real Envelopes and VCA on board, so doesn't suffer the guaranteed failure of the Juno 106 (etc.). Also: the Juno 106 and 60 are alot more common, but sound NOTHING like a Jupiter. The Jupiters are Real synths, the Juno's always had some Digital shite lurking under the hood to save money, and are pretty poor...
The SVC350 Vocoder was extremely rare. Vocoder-freaks rate them under Sennhieser and EMS, but above a Korg, and on-par with the modern Doepfer (A-100). They arrived in the market too late - everyone already had one by the time they shipped, and they failed to get people's attention, despite including Distortion on the inputs and chorus on the outputs, as well as individual Formant Levels, to beef up the sound.. They were quickly discontinued, and i have never seen one for sale or in anyone's stash. Easily one of the rarest pieces of Gear roland made - if You see one, steal it, and get ready to do an Al-Naafiysh ripoff the first hour you have it
Today, if You own ANY of these machines, You are obviously awesome and worthy of sexual favours and random worship..
The TB303 was originally a partner for the TR-606 Drumatix Drummachine. They connected via a DIN cable, and could be locked together in Sync. Other Machines using DinSync included the other MC sequencers, the TR808, 707 & 727. You could use the Roland SBX-10 and SBX-80 to lock the lot to tape. It would also sync with the PPG Wave 2.3, The Fairlight II, Some Korg Boxes (at half speed) and By way of the Garfield DrClick, SMPTE!! The 303 sounded pretty bad as synths go, but it had a unique sound and feel that has never been accuratly reproduced. The 303 came with a plastic carry-case, 2 manuals and a 'chord wheel' plastic slide-rule that would help you work out basslines given the chords in use. They started selling at 299- sterling, and were soon found on offer with a TR-606 for 199- sterling the pair! Currently (2009) You can expect to pay 1200euro for a 303 alone, with it's brother the 606 fetching 400euro in working condition. Actually, You can forget Ever Owning one, but can enjoy the MANY software emulations instead... This is the same as realising You will never get to sleep with Akane Hotaru, but can enjoy her films instead for a similer effect.
The MC202 is a 2-channel sequencer, with tape Load/Save ability for sequences & A slightly better version of the SH-101 Synth on-board. It has 1 DIN SYNC input and 3 Outputs, and 2 CV/GATE outputs - so finds itself useful as a master-clock for a 101/202/303/808 setup. The 202 ended up being sold off for 249- sterling at end of life, and it held this value through the millenium due to it's issues with CV/GATE inputs - it needs a modification to allow it to be used as an expander as the CV/GATE ins are actually for programming the Sequencer - so after about 500 notes, it locks up!!!! The 202 sounds like an extreme version of the SH-101 - so it's thin like a 101, but interesting, and Highly modifiable into what could be the ultimate c-cell machine! In fact, Once Modified, it Shits all over the 101, 303 & Sh09 etc., and IMHO does a more 'colourfull' acid sound then the 303! Like the 303 & 606, the 202 ran on c-cell batteries, so if You find one, make sure it's not been ruined by a flood of acid from the battery compartment!
The Jupiter 6 was the 'middle-range' machine from Roland. Both Basic MIDI and Non-MIDI (but DCB) versions exist. It has 6 voices, Memories, and is alot rarer then the Jupiter 8 and 4. Although they sound thin compared to a Jupiter 8, and suffer the same-ish crappy single filter as the Juno 106, they are as close as You can get to the flagship Jupiter8 for under 2 grand. They STILL change hands for near list price! If you see one, get it, and expect the joy of one of the last Monster-polys from the 80's.. This was released well after the Jupiter 8, so fixed alot of the failures the J8 had. It also has real Envelopes and VCA on board, so doesn't suffer the guaranteed failure of the Juno 106 (etc.). Also: the Juno 106 and 60 are alot more common, but sound NOTHING like a Jupiter. The Jupiters are Real synths, the Juno's always had some Digital shite lurking under the hood to save money, and are pretty poor...
The SVC350 Vocoder was extremely rare. Vocoder-freaks rate them under Sennhieser and EMS, but above a Korg, and on-par with the modern Doepfer (A-100). They arrived in the market too late - everyone already had one by the time they shipped, and they failed to get people's attention, despite including Distortion on the inputs and chorus on the outputs, as well as individual Formant Levels, to beef up the sound.. They were quickly discontinued, and i have never seen one for sale or in anyone's stash. Easily one of the rarest pieces of Gear roland made - if You see one, steal it, and get ready to do an Al-Naafiysh ripoff the first hour you have it
Today, if You own ANY of these machines, You are obviously awesome and worthy of sexual favours and random worship..
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