AudioRealism ABL3 released as a Reason Rack Extension

AudioRealism's ABL3 has had a curiously long gestation period. It was teased more than a year ago, but there was no further news until the revelation that it would be arriving first as a Reason Rack Extension.

Now it's here: this emulation of Roland's TB-303 bassline synth promises to improve on AudioRealism's previous efforts (ABL1 and ABL2), and is said to be a complete rewrite that's been in development for many years.

Additional specs are below; you can buy the ABL3 Rack Extension now from the Propellerhead Shop for €55. A VST/AU version is also in the pipeline.

AudioRealism ABL3 features

  • Extremely authentic 303 emulation using our ABL3 engine
  • Ultra natural knob response, tuned to match the original 303 both in range and response
  • Built-in 303/Rebirth style step sequencer with 64 steps
  • 200+ bundled preset patterns
  • Hard sync to the host's transport
  • Supports 4 patterns of 16 steps, 2 patterns of 32 steps or 1 pattern of 64 steps
  • CV/Gate input to control the sound engine externally
  • CV/Gate output to control other Reason devices from the step sequencer
  • CV Modulation inputs for Tuning, Cutoff, etc.
  • Resonance and Gate Time trimmers that allow tweaking the emulation to your liking
  • Three different VCO Models
  • Settings for VCA Clicks and VCA Noise
  • Pattern modifiers with Random, Alter, Copy, Paste functions
  • Unique vibrato which is activated by setting UP+DOWN on steps. This effect is one of the few extensions to the 303 that we are launching ABL3 with.
  • Full 48 and 96kHz support, which means the engine uses the full bandwidth of the project setting
Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.