TV3
by Imaginando · Synth · Acid bass synth with pattern generator
Not rated yet
TV3 is an acid bassline synth from Imaginando with a built-in pattern generator and drag-and-drop MIDI export.
It has two oscillators, a 24 dB resonant low-pass filter and four distortion modes, for €39 (about $44).
Best for: Bass, Keys & Synths. Genres: Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: sequencer, basses, hardware emulation, randomize, analog, 80s, leads, rent-to-own, subtractive, vintage.
What it does
TV3 is Imaginando's acid bass synth in the TB-303 mold, with a built-in pattern generator that writes lines for you. Imaginando sums it up as "minimal where it counts, deep where it matters".
- Oscillators: a main oscillator switchable between square and sawtooth, plus a sub oscillator for extra weight.
- Filter and envelope: a resonant 24 dB/octave low-pass with cutoff and resonance, driven by an envelope with accent and decay controls.
- Distortion: four modes, Saturation, Wavefolding, Fuzz and Nock, each with its own high-pass filter and drive curve.
- Pattern generator: one click builds a pattern, with settings for length, scale, key and complexity; 21 scales include the modes, pentatonics, blues, harmonic and melodic minor.
- MIDI export: drag patterns out as MIDI into your DAW or to a file.
- Acid Boy randomizer: randomizes oscillators, filter, envelope, accent, drive, distortion mode and sub mix.
- Presets: a patch manager with a 14-preset factory bank.
The desktop license is sold outright or rent-to-own, with a 14-day refund window. The free demo has no time limit and the full engine, but plays a short noise burst every 60 seconds, can't save and doesn't recall its state in a project.
Source: Imaginando product page
When to use it
TV3 is the quick, cheap way to get acid lines: the pattern generator and Acid Boy randomizer do much of the writing, and the lines drag straight into your DAW as MIDI. Compared with D16 Phoscyon 2 it is simpler and less versatile, and it is not built as a close hardware clone. Arturia's Acid V has a more flexible sequencer, while TV3 leans on generating and exporting patterns. Next to broad synths such as Vital or Diva it does one job only, but it does it with far less setup, and its four distortion modes give it more grit out of the box than a plain 303 model.
- Best for: acid basslines and leads, sketching ideas fast, and producers who want the lines as MIDI.
- Genres: acid house, acid techno, techno and other electronic styles.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a faithful TB-303 recreation with a classic step sequencer (Phoscyon 2), or a deeper sequencer (Acid V).
- Tip: open the Advanced screen to reach the distortion modes and sub oscillator, which aren't on the main view.
What producers say
Early coverage found it fun and good-sounding, though not a must-have for anyone who already owns a 303 emulation.
- CDM (Create Digital Music) found it "a bit too much fun to ignore", liked the acid line generator, the distortion models and how it sounds with reverb, and pointed to the Advanced screen for the extra features.
- Criticisms: CDM admitted we "don't really need another 303" and still preferred Phoscyon 2 for versatility and Acid V for its sequencer.
Where to buy
- Plugin Boutique: $17
- Imaginando: $44.28 (Listed at €39; converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Tutorials and reviews
- TV3 - Acid Synth
- Imaginando TV3 -Revisión en Español-
- Free Synth - TV-3 Acid Synth by Imaginando (No Talking)
- TV3 Bassline Generator by Imaginando Tb-303
- Tutorial: MIDI Drag and Drop in TV-3
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