Erica Synths Bassline DB-01 €460

As Si Truss discovers, Erica’s new Bassline is more than just another 303-alike…

- Si Truss

CONTACT WHO: Erica Synths WEB: ericasynths.lv KEY FEATURES Analogue monosynth with Polivoks-inspired filter, analogue drive and BBD detune effect. 64-step sequencer with arp, modulation track, slides, accents and per-step pitch envelope.

Latvian brand Erica Synths have proved quite prolific in recent years, delivering modules, systems and standalone hardware at a pace that’s tough to keep up with at times. What’s impressive though, is that despite the volume, the quality has remained high. What Erica do especially well is analogue grit – from their Polivoks-inspired filters to their tube-equipped Fusion modules and last year’s impressive Ninja Tune collab Zen Delay, Erica are responsible for some of our favourite go-to tools for raw, edgy sounds. Naturally, the idea of a standalone Erica-branded bass synth has got us rather hot under the collar.

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Bassline DB-01 was another 303 clone. It does certainly bear many of the hallmarks of its near-namesake; the single oscillator, resonant filter and simplistic envelope controls are pure acid-machine. But beyond this there’s a lot of unique stuff going on that makes the DB-01 very much its own instrument.

Oscillators/filters