Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer
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... read more
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"I don't want to use pre-programmed drum sounds. I've used modified [Roland TR-]808 sounds on Ambient Works, but that's because the track... more
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Based on 10 Reviews


classic analog drum machine
pre midi, din-sync, individual outs, 3 trigger outputs

What could there possibly be left unsaid?
The original and still the king for good reason

Because it is cool and probably the most famous drum machine EVER
Awesome
Ronald always suprises me. This thing can produce awesome beats that somehow seem different everytime
My First Drum Machine I buy in 95
What I can say: THE BEST!!! I use everyday on every track I recorded....my love piece in my studio.

A legend in metal and circuits.
I had a mint one i bought from a greek guy back in the early 2000's it was an absolutely beautiful instrument but i sampled it and sold it to a house producer in chicago because of the high resale value, i do miss it though. A piece of dance music history bar none, never used it on my releases but have used the samples i made from it on many.

Of course it is amazing.
I don't take any solace in echoing what most have to say about the 808, but it is undeniable that the TR-808 is a phenomenal piece of equipment. It cannot sound bad. It is fun to use, though I personally am not a huge fan of the song sequencer in it.
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Description
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.
Classic Famous Analog Drum Machine
The original one! Big analog organic sound. I've upgraded with MIDI in the '90ties. Sounds terrific!