TV3 Manual

TV3 is a classic acid bassline synthesizer with a built-in MIDI generation tool. Instant randomization, sequence generation and easy drag-and-drop MIDI export join forces for the fastest 303 in the west.

Contents

• Overview
• Patch Manager
• Parameters
• Sequence Generation

Overview

TV3 is a plug-in synthesizer inspired by the TB-303, a machine that has become ubiquitous in the realms of electronic music. Its unmistakable, corrosive sound is closely associated with "acid" genres, among them acid house and acid techno.

This plug-in is designed for a streamlined workflow, making it exceptionally easy to create synth lines. Exporting the generated MIDI to your DAW for further editing is as simple as dragging and dropping.

The TV3 interface is optimized for quick access to key parameters. On the left, you'll find the sequence generation panel and export area, while the right side has the basic synthesis engine controls. At the centre sits the TV itself. When Advanced options are enabled, it reveals the complete set of synthesis parameters; otherwise, a suspicious little character will keep you company. Clicking him randomizes the parameters.

At the top of the interface, you'll find the patch manager with navigation arrows for browsing patches, along with icons for the undo, redo, save and revert functions.

In terms of synthesis, the TV3 offers a main oscillator, a sub oscillator, a lowpass filter and a multimode distortion stage. With the controls restricted to their most useful ranges, the instant randomize feature allows for quick exploration.

The sequence generation features twenty one different scales per key to choose from, with tweakable length and complexity. Generated sequences will play alongside your DAW's transport. MIDI export is drag-and-drop, letting you take MIDI clips into your DAW and work from there.

The signature Accent effect from the original machine is applied to notes with velocity values above 100, while overlapping notes will slide.

Patch Manager

The patch manager is centrally located at the top of the interface.

BROWSING

Use the left and right arrows to quickly navigate through saved patches. The current patch name is displayed in the text field. If you've made changes to the patch, an asterisk will appear in front

of its name, indicating it's been modified.

Clicking the patch name will display the Factory and Local banks in the TV. The Factory bank comes with several patches, while the Default bank will show the patches you've saved.

SAVING

Press the save icon to store your current patch in the Local bank. Any generated internal patterns will be saved along with the patch.

UNDO / REDO

The undo and redo icons are positioned to the right of the save icon. Use them to reverse or reapply parameter changes, pattern generation, or parameter randomization commands.

The revert button recovers the saved state of the currently selected patch, discarding your changes.

Parameters

The rightmost side of the interface shows the basic controls laid out vertically. The remainder of the parameters can be accessed through the Advanced button on the TV.

BASIC VIEW

• Cutoff - Cutoff frequency for the main filter. The cutoff point can be pushed further when affected by an accent or modulated by the envelope (see Env. Mod).
• Resonance - Amount of filter resonance. Forms a resonant peak on top of the cutoff frequency.
• Accent - Amount of volume boost and added frequency modulation for notes with accent. Accent is applied to all notes with a velocity value above 100. In addition, accent forces the decay time to minimum.
• Env. Mod - Amount of envelope modulation applied to the filter cutoff.
• Decay - Decay time of the primary envelope. This envelope is fully responsible for the filter modulation, but factors only lightly into the amplitude envelope.
• Drive - Pre-distortion signal gain. Adjust for harsher or softer distortion.
• Dry/Wet - The dry/wet balance of the original and the distorted signal.

ADVANCED

When the Advanced option is toggled, additional controls become available within the TV.

Osc

• Waveform - Select between a square or sawtooth waveform for the main oscillator.
• Tune - Fine-tune both the main and sub oscillators within a range of -1200 and +1200 cents.

Sub

The sub oscillator plays on octave below the main oscillator.

• Waveform - Select between a square or sawtooth waveform for the sub oscillator.
• Volume - Volume of the sub oscillator.

Distortion

The distortion stage is applied after the main filter. Use the parameter Type to choose from four different distortion types:

• SAT - Classic saturation.
• FOLD - Saturated wavefolding; a mix of saturation and sinusoidal wavefolding.
• FUZZ - Extreme gain and hard clipping for a harsh distortion effect.
• NOCK - Asymmetrical waveshaping that introduces discontinuities in the crest for a very noisy sound.
• Highpass - Pre-distortion highpass filter for attenuating the fundamental and first few harmonics of the notes.

Broadcast

The Broadcast parameter toggles the video broadcast of the TV. Deactivate to disable the video.

Sequence Generation

The sequence generation controls are located on the left side of the interface. Pressing Generate prompts our algorithm to create and play a unique bassline.

• Complexity - Set the complexity factor of generated sequences. Lower complexity values produce simpler melodies with fewer notes, while higher values create more complex, note-laden patterns.
• Length - Set the length of the generated sequence. Ranges from 2 to 8 beats.
• Scale - Set the scale of the generated sequence. The following scales are available:

1. Major and minor, as well as the remainder of the seven modal scales
2. Chromatic
3. Major and minor blues
4. Diminished
5. Major and minor pentatonic
6. Spanish
7. Minor Gypsy
8. Arabian
9. Egyptian
10. Ryukyo
11. Whole Tone
12. Major and minor 3rd

• Key - Base key of the generated sequence.
• Play Mode - Toggle between playing internal (generated) or external (incoming) MIDI. When set to INT, the generated sequence will play synchronized with the host DAW's transport. In EXT mode, the plug-in will listen exclusively to MIDI provided by the host.
• Generate - Generate a new sequence with the selected properties. This automatically starts the internal playback and sets the Play Mode to internal.
• Start/Stop - Starts or stops the internal sequence playback.

Drag area

The drag area becomes active once a sequence is generated for the first time. From here, generated sequences can be exported as MIDI clips by dragging and dropping. The internal playback stops and the Play Mode changes to external upon doing this.

Updated on: 11/03/2026