hi,
anyone here had any experience with modemachines’ products? is their 303 clone series any good? and particularily is the rack version (in conjunctions with the A4’s / OT’'s sequencer) worth the money?
I got a mode machine X0X as a (S/H) kit last year. TBH I wouldn’t knowingly buy from them, the component quality in the kit wasn’t great and once built it didn’t sound anything like a 303.
I did lots of reading on the adafruit forums and bought the right components to get it sounding like it should.
If you’re not too bothered about it sounding as close as possible to a 303 then some of the older clones might be worth looking at.
Check out the FAT Freebass, the MAM MB33, and the Syntechno TeeBee.
I have a Freebass and while it’s no 303, it does sounds ok.
You won’t be able to sequence any of them with the A4 though, it doesn’t do midi sequencing and AFAIK none have cv/gate in.
The Acidlab M303 does have cv/gate in but you’d need a psu and case etc.
I’ve not heard great things about Mode Machines build quality on these to be honest, but to be fair that’s purely anecdotal. But I have heard it a lot.
Surely though the obvious choice now is to go for a Bass Bott TT 303 ?
Alternatively I’ve owed 3 of Klaus’s Acidlab Basslines at various times - from MkI right up to the MKIII & I can highly recommend them. Does the MKIII sound exactly like a 303…no. Is it well built, have great functionality, a wicked sequencer & sound totally badass…Hells yeah . 
They were shamelessly ripping off the Midibox community for a while, but this has been resolved AFAIK. Wouldn’t be my first choice for anything.
I can’t really feel strongly about the MIDIbox thing. that guy Thorsten imposes such an absurdly restrictive license that it’s almost impossible for anyone to build a MIDIbox for anyone other than themselves. As a result it’s hard to hear demos or talk to anyone who’s used one because there are so few of them out there. I’m not sure whether it’s worth the effort to build one.
I am selling a non-mode-machines x0xb0x. Custom built aluminum case mod.
I have A/B’d this unit with my friends MINT original TB-303, and while it didn’t sound the exact same, it was pretty damn close. And the sequencer in the x0x beats the hell out of having to use a 303 sequencer.
Generally, prefer in person deals, but will ship if you’re in the states…
Im a little late, but I’ll say this much… You’d be better off with either of these 2 companies…
http://x0xsh0p.de
http://www.willzyx.com
[EDIT] And just to add… The Mode Machines x0x Rack has little in common with a x0xb0x. I believe it’s based on the old MAM freebass. That doesn’t mean it’s bad (or good) but it’s going to be different.
If you got the cash, there are the SMS builds by Andy Pledger.