The TR-808 is a classic drum machine that uses analog synthesis to create its sounds. The sounds have a very pure quality and are closer to the sound of the CR-series of Roland drum machines, as opposed to its popular successor, the TR-909. The TR-808 has become the signature beatbox used in most R&B and hip-hop as well as a lot of dance and techno music. Booming bass kicks, crispy snares and a distinctive cowbell sound made famous in the 1980's are all part of the 808 and its famous sound.

Its 16 drum sounds include the famous boomy 808 kick, snare, low/mid/high toms, low/mid/high congas, rimshot, claves, hand clap, maracas, cowbell, cymbal, open hi-hat, closed hi-hat and accent. Most of the sounds can be edited. Bass Drum and Cymbal (tone, decay), Snare (tone, snappy), Toms and Congas (tuning), Open Hat (decay). All sounds have individual volume controls and individual outputs. Unfortunately it was not MIDI equipped but it did use Roland's DIN Sync.

The TR-808 was OK in its time—it just didn't sound like real drums. When the Linn Drum machines appeared, the 808 seemed doomed. But its unique sound and analog allure have allowed it to find a long-lasting home in many forms of music. Ultimately, the 808 has become one of the more important and famous drum machines in the history of music, spawning imitators (ReBirth, DrumStation) as well as band names (808 State).

Famous users include Orbital, Überzone, Download, Aphex Twin, 808 State, BT, Bomb The Bass, Sense Datum, The Prodigy, Josh Wink, Faithless, Skinny Puppy, Bushflange, Jimi Tenor, A Guy Called Gerald, Eat Static, Dr. Dre, Jimmy Edgar, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Freddy Fresh, Richie Hawtin, Kraftwerk, Jean Michel Jarre, Cocteau Twins, Marvin Gaye, Luke Vibert, LL Cool J, Ice Cube, the Beastie Boys, Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran), and Puff Daddy.

lucas

April 25, 2013 @ 12:44 am

Daft Punk Human after all (Album)!

Phil

March 14, 2013 @ 8:57 am

Half the appeal of the 808 (and the 909) is the sequencer. If you start to MIDI trigger the the sounds then you may as well use samples. I recently picked up an 808 (manufactured June 1983) and my synth tech said it's got an unusually long decay (which sounds great). I had read that some units did vary.

Anyway, that aside, it is an awesome machine. Very inspirational and a joy to use. Better than I expected. I have mine DIN Sync to Logic Pro and it works like a charm.

Matt Evans

February 16, 2013 @ 5:03 pm

you can add Depeche Mode to the list.......check this 2013 video using it!
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/02/14/171952995/first-watch-depeche-mo de-heaven

relic

January 27, 2013 @ 8:56 am

Best drum machine ever made! HEY...I see a Audiobits 8 TRON on ebay now! 1-27-13. best TR808 emulation ever made for your DAW!

crifox

October 21, 2012 @ 9:10 am

depeche mode didn't use the 606 directly, they used only the snare and the hats and sequenced them via an arp 2600. they did this in the a broken frame album, even if you sample the snare dm effectively used and the 606 one, well, it's not the same...

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