808

808 is a term that refers to the bass drum sound from the legendary Roland TR-808 drum machine that was released in 1980. The 808 bass drum features a deep, booming, and sustained low-end that became the foundation for various genres like hip-hop, trap, techno, and more.

In just three words – the 808 bass – you can summarize one of the most influential sounds in modern music production.

This iconic bass drum sound started as an analog circuit on a physical drum machine, but transformed into an entire cultural phenomenon that resonated far beyond the realm of music.

The 808 bridged the gap between analog and digital music production, and its signature bass drum shaped the evolution of emerging genres. It captivated generations of producers, DJs, and musicians who manipulated its instantly recognizable boom into new forms of creative expression.

Four decades after its initial impact, the 808 continues to provide the thumping heartbeat behind today’s popular music. It transcends any single genre or style, proving itself vital within hip-hop, R&B, pop, dance music, and well beyond. The story of the 808 is one of innovation intersecting with creative cultural movements at just the right time.

This comprehensive guide will explore both the technical anatomy of the 808 sound and its widespread musical, cultural, and technological influence. We’ll demystify the origins of that deep thump and iconic Roland design while learning how a single bass drum embodied an entire ethos of musical rebellion and innovation.

Whether you’re a music producer looking to master 808 technique or simply a fan of beats both vintage and cutting-edge, this guide will give you an unmatched look at one of music’s most important instruments – born not from a guitar or synthesiser, but from the laboratories of Japan in the early 1980s.

What is 808?

The term “808” is now deeply rooted in music culture, but where did this ubiquitous sound originate from? To fully appreciate the power of the 808, we first need to understand the history behind this iconic set of sounds.

The Origins of 808

To understand the iconic 808 sound, we first need to go back to its origins in the early 1980s and the creation of the legendary TR-808 drum machine by Roland.

In 1980, Roland released the TR-808 Rhythm Composer, a programmable drum machine that provided the ability to create and store drum patterns and sequences. The TR-808 was one of the earliest programmable drum machines that allowed users to create and arrange their own beats, patterns, and rhythms.

The original intention behind the TR-808 was to recreate the sound of acoustic percussion and provide an electronic alternative to hiring a live drummer. However, the analog circuitry and components used resulted in a set of drum sounds that were punchy and synthetic compared to the live drum sounds available at the time.

While this was seen as a shortcoming at first, it soon became the TR-808’s greatest strength and cemented its status as a classic. The booming bass drum, snappy snares, tinny hi-hats and quirky cowbell perfectly complemented emerging genres of electronic dance music.

The TR-808 bass drum stood out for its deep, booming and resonant tone thanks to the long decay and lack of pitch control. This allowed it to be easily tuned and manipulated for maximum low-end power. The 808 bass drum became the heart of this Drum machine and the keystone of a new kind of rhythm.

While it was not a commercial success initially, costing $1,195 at release, the affordability and uniqueness of the 808 meant second-hand units were widely adopted by hip-hop producers and electronic musicians throughout the 80s. This catapulted the TR-808 into legendary status in music history as the foundation of whole genres.

Four decades later, the 808’s fame lives on. Modern music has been shaped by this unassuming drum machine born in Roland’s labs in 1980. It’s the classic product story – an invention designed for one purpose ends up transforming culture in completely unanticipated ways, birthing whole genres of music. That’s the legacy of the 808.

Key Components of the TR-808

While the TR-808 is now synonymous with its booming bass drum, the original unit contained a full set of drum and percussion sounds powered by innovative analog circuitry.

The TR-808 included 16 preset drum and percussive sounds including:

• Bass Drum
• Snare Drum
• Low Tom
• Mid Tom
• High Tom
• Rimshot
• Handclap
• Cowbell
• Claves
• Maraca
• Open Hi-Hat
• Closed Hi-Hat
• Cymbal
• Low Conga
• High Conga

While limited by today’s standards, this diverse percussion palette allowed composers to create full rhythm tracks with basslines, leads and accompaniment through clever layering and sequencing.

But what gave each sound its unique character?

The TR-808 used analog synthesis to generate each sound, with circuitry optimized for punchy, synthetic drums. For example, the booming bass drum was created using a voltage controlled oscillator or VCO. This generated a pure sine wave tuned between 20 to 240 Hz. Gate timing controls adjusted the duration of the tone.

The snare, toms and congas used noise generators followed by analog filters to model resonant drum heads. Cymbal and hi-hat sounds were created using frequency modulated oscillators or FM synthesis.

This all-analog sound design was completely novel in the early 80s and a major factor in the 808’s signature sound. While the oscillator technology was simple by modern standards, it imparted the TR-808 drums with a depth and quirkiness that producers would creatively exploit for decades to come.

So while the 808 bass drum emerged as the star, the CR-808’s full percussion synthesizer was an instrumental part of its lasting impact.

The Iconic 808 Bass Drum

While the TR-808 contained an arsenal of unique analog drum and percussion sounds, one stood out amongst the rest – the booming 808 bass drum. This sound sits at the heart of the machine’s enduring appeal.

As mentioned earlier, the 808 kick was generated using a voltage controlled oscillator tuned between 20 to 240 Hz. This sine wave oscillator was triggered for set durations to create a pure, sub-heavy kick with long sustain and decay.

The lack of pitch modulation resulted in the 808’s bass drum having a consistent tuned quality. This allowed producers to easily blend it with basslines or tune the kick to match their song key. The long decay gave the kick momentum and thump on the tail end.

These unique traits, driven by limitations in analog technology, created a kick drum with unmatched low-end power. The 808 bass drum sat perfectly in the subs to provide a commanding boom while leaving space for other elements.

Early hip-hop producers immediately recognized the potential of this sound. The 808 kick became a staple of early productions due to its ability to grab attention on small speaker systems. The dense low-end stood out from disco and funk of the late 70s.

By the mid-80s, the 808 bass drum was a fundamental element in emerging hip-hop, R&B, dance, and pop music. It provided an uncompromising foundation for genres reliant on drum machines rather than live drummers. From school gymnasiums to nightclubs, the 808 kick commanded attention.

As hip-hop continued evolving through the 90s and 2000s, the 808 held its status thanks to producers constantly pushing its limits. Filtering, distortion and layering allowed endless customized booms that retained the kick’s quintessential character.

Four decades later the iconic boom of the 808 still represents a watershed intersection between analog technology and creative innovation. That this all emerged from a failed emulation of live drums only cements the 808’s legendary status.

The Evolution of the 808 Sound

The iconic analog 808 sound has stood the test of time, but production techniques have evolved dramatically since the 80s. How did the 808 make the transition into the digital domain?

In the late 80s and early 90s, samplers allowed producers to bypass the original hardware by recording samples from 808 units. These samples offered convenience at the cost of flexibility compared to the real machine.

However, as digital audio workstations like Pro Tools emerged in the 90s, producers could easily manipulate samples to customize transients, pitch, distortion and more. The 808 sample gave them the best of both worlds – an iconic sound with modern production capability.

Software synthesizers also began emulating the original TR-808 circuits using digitally modeled analog oscillators and filters. These virtual instruments replicated every nuance of the hardware 808 – right down to quirks like pitch drift.

For today’s producers, specialized 808 emulation plugins provide perhaps the most convenient access to the sound. Options like Waves RBass and Roland Cloud faithfully recreate both the character and flexibility of the original machine.

With endless sound-shaping options at their fingertips, producers can warp the 808’s analog DNA in creative ways not possible for earlier generations. The 21st century 808 pushes the boundary of how synthetic percussion can impact listeners while retaining the essence of its 1980s origins.

The 808 in Digital Audio Workstations

The versatility of the 808 sound owes much to modern digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Ableton, Logic, and FL Studio. These platforms provide limitless options for manipulating sampled or synthesized 808s.

Most DAWs come equipped with sample libraries containing selections of 808 one-shots – isolated kick drums, snares, cymbals, etc. Producers can sequence these together to create complete 808 kits.

Beyond arranging, producers use built-in tools like pitch shifting, envelope editing, effects, and equalization to customize the feel of each sample. Time-stretching each hit to perfect the groove is a universal 808 production technique.

Advanced sampling features allow producers to quickly slice one-shots and re-sequence into fresh patterns. The playback engine can impart natural variation and humanization as well.

Equally important as samples are virtual analog synth instruments included in every DAW. These accurately recreate circuits like oscillators and filters that formed the original 808’s sound. Producers can craft custom 808-style drums from the ground up with these tools.

So whether layering processed samples or designing their own sounds entirely, producers have unlimited flexibility thanks to the power of DAWs like Ableton. The 808 sound can be reimagined and tailored for any modern production with ease.

This synergy between an iconic analog sound and digital flexibility has kept the 808 relevant in the rapidly evolving musical landscape. The tools may have advanced, but the signature boom remains.

The 808 in Music Culture

The TR-808‘s impact extends far beyond drum sounds and grooves. The iconic bass and percussion transcended into wider realms of culture, fashion, and language.

By the late 80s, the term “808” became shorthand for the entire sound and ethos of hip-hop’s electronic production. Saying a track had “serious 808s” conveyed both the musical and cultural facets of this new boom.

Beyond music, the 808 permeated slang and vernacular within hip-hop and eventually pop culture at large. “Boom bap” onomatopoeia mimicked the bass. Artists described practicing their craft over “808s and heartbreak”.

Fashion also echoed the 808, with brands creating hats and shirts adorned with the Roland machine. In music video imagery, placing a physical TR-808 machine on screen or by a limousine invoked the aspirational hip-hop lifestyle.

As hip-hop crossed over to mainstream success in the 90s and 2000s, the “808 sound” became entrenched within pop culture. TV shows and movies placed the signature boom wherever they needed youth appeal.

So while the analog circuitry lays at its origin, the 808 ultimately transcended into culture as few other musical elements have. It remains an instantly recognizable symbol stretching from the Bronx through Compton and now across the globe. The boom echoes far beyond drums alone.

Demystifying the 808 Frequency: The Sub-Bass Foundation

The 808’s commanding presence comes from sitting squarely in the sub-bass frequency range. This exclusive territory is what gives the 808 its balance of power and versatility.

In its original form, the TR-808 kick drum tone resides between 20-240 Hz, safely below the 80 Hz cutoff of what we perceive as “bass”. This places the 808 kick in the subsonic zone – frequencies felt more than heard.

Electronic music pioneers were quick to realize the potential of dedicating this entire frequency spectrum to a single sound. While untamed low frequencies can quickly overwhelm, the 808’s tight control and melodic quality makes subs musical.

This essentially turned the 808 into a bass instrument in its own right. Producers began using the kick not just as percussion, but as the core bassline. This cemented the 808 as the cornerstone of emerging genres.

Even as modern sound design has created endless bass tones, the sub-bass realm firmly belongs to the 808. The raw purity of sine wave below 80 Hz has become part of its distinctive character. Even distorted 808s retain this sub-foundation.

So while technical at first glance, the 808’s relationship with sub-bass is actually simple – this frequency range lends the kick intense power and purpose. The 808 will likely reside in sub-land as long as producers keep wanting low-end dominance.

Shaping the Bottom End

The 808’s sub-bass power relies not just on occupying deep frequencies, but carefully sculpting dynamics and harmonics. Producers have a range of sound design tools for this.

Equalization is essential for making room for the primal 808 boom. High-passing other low instruments like basslines creates a pocket of unobstructed space below 100 Hz reserved solely for the kick.

Compression refines the 808’s impact. Fast attack times emphasize the punchy transient while longer release times sustain the tail. This enhances the rhythmic interplay with the main groove.

Saturation and distortion add grit and character that cut through small speakers. This helps translate the 808’s sub energy into tangibility on systems lacking true subwoofers.

Mix techniques like sidechaining also embed the 808 neatly into a full production, allowing it to drive the track without overpowering.

Getting the most out of the iconic 808 requires dedicating these dynamics tools to magnifying the dramatic extremes of its range – the sharp transient attack up top, the rolling thunder of subs below. When tuned for maximum impact, the 808 bottom end becomes a lethal instrument.

The Relationship with Kick Drums

The 808 kick reigns over the low end, but rarely works alone. Balancing it with live acoustic kicks and basslines is an art.

While the 808 commands sub-bass, a full-bodied acoustic kick sound often contains key mid-range thump and high-end attack. This complementary range can fit perfectly alongside the 808 if balanced correctly.

Sidechaining is crucial for carving out space for both kicks to be heard. Compressing the bassline whenever the main kick hits allows its transient to poke through the subs. This creates a punchy call-and-response interplay.

EQ-carving out the fundamental kick tone and sub-bass rumble from an acoustic kick prevents clashing with the 808’s range. This allows the distinctive snap and mid-range of the acoustic kick to complement the 808’s boom.

Whether clashing or complementing, the dynamic relationship between the 808 and kick drums requires detailed sound design. When treated as a single instrument across its frequency range, the kicks together deliver unmatched impact. The sub-bass 808 boom simply amplifies the emotion.

The Versatility of the 808 Sound

The unmistakable 808 boom is often associated with hip-hop and electronic dance music. But surprisingly, it has permeated across vastly different musical worlds.

Mainstream pop music embraced the 808 early on, starting with artists like Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson adding TR-808 beats to enhance danceability. The 808 kick provided rhythmic foundation lacking in live drumming.

In rock music, progressive artists like REM and Talking Heads took an avant-garde approach to integrating electronics like the 808. Drum machines helped push boundaries of the genre.

Across R&B, the 808 became a staple – laying down grooves for legends like Marvin Gaye and MFSB. Funk experimenters also adopted the machine, with Cameo’s “Word Up” driven by 808.

Latin genres like reggaeton and cumbia incorporated the 808 kick in their evolution, helping drive modern pan-Latin urbano music. The bass drum crossed cultural boundaries.

Crafting New Tones and Textures

While the pure analog 808 sound is iconic, producers continually reinvent it using effects. This morphs the kick to suit endless styles.

Distortion provides the most dramatic change. Driving the 808 with overdrive transforms the clean boom into a thunderous assault of harmonic grit and mid-range growl. This evolved the 808 in industrial and aggro electronic music.

Creative filtering shapes the frequency curve, enabling sounds like the classic “underwater” muted 808. Dynamic and rhythmic EQ manipulation opens up new dimensions.

Chorus, flanger and phasers smear and spread the transient, lending the 808 a squirmy, unstable texture. Doubling techniques also widen and layer the kick.

Even subtle echoes and reverbs on the 808 tail give a sense of three-dimensional space at odds with its dry origin. These modifications craft radically enhanced ambience and churn.

Technical Aspects of 808 Production

The 808’s commanding presence as a bass instrument can overshadow its percussive purpose. Let’s examine the elements of a typical beat.

Most often, the 808 kick provides the rhythmic foundation while other percussion fills out the groove. The kick follows the chord changes, usually on the downbeat or pulsing on eighth or sixteenth notes.

The snap of a processed 808 snare on beats 2 and 4 provides backbeat counterpoint. Open and closed hi-hats or cymbals syncopate and subdivide, increasing rhythmic complexity.

Percussion embellishments like the 808 cowbell, clap or rimshot add rhythmic variety. Rolling shakers create rhythmic beds for fills and breaks. Combining these layers crafts the complete 808 drum kit.

While built on the 808, creative drum sequencing is essential. The pattern itself- accents, ghost notes, variations – determines the groove as much as the raw sounds. Syncopation and displacement create feel.

The art of 808 programming gives a great producer unlimited rhythmic possibilities within the consistent frame of the classic machine. The 808 beat always serves the groove.

Advanced Sound Design Techniques

While sampling is easiest, synthesizing original 808 sounds from scratch unlocks unlimited creative possibilities.

Virtual analog synth plugins offer built-in 808 drum kits for easy sound design. Features like pitch envelopes and oscillator blending provide the tools for custom kick sculpting.

Sampling random sources into drum samplers, then pitching down and processing, creates gritty, mangled 808 mutations. Found percussion sounds transform into fresh boom.

Distortion is the fastest way to add character. Overdriving the transient attack adds punchy aggression, while distorting the entire sample imparts vintage grit and coloring.

Creative sample rate reduction and bit crushing warp the 808 into jagged, digital forms. The lower the bit depth, the more abstract tones result.

Envelopes shape the amplitude and harmonic content over time. Long, slow decays and quick punchy attacks dramatically alter vibe.

Whether mimicking analog circuits or pursuing digital madness, sound design freedom begets endless bass drum inspiration.

Mixing Considerations

The 808’s low-end dominance poses challenges in balancing a full mix. Careful placement and effects are required.

While the kick’s subs can blast unencumbered, too much 808 can quickly overwhelm a mix and leave no space for other elements. Subtle volume automation adds dynamics.

Sidechaining to duck parts like pads and leads allows the 808 to poke through the mix consistently. This carves out rhythmic space.

A touch of saturation highlighting upper harmonic content helps the 808 cut through on smaller speakers. This adds clarity without muddiness.

Stereo widening techniques, like chorus or doubling, prevents the 808 from sounding too centered. Spreading creates room for basslines.

Subtle delayed echoes on the tail end provide a sense of ambient space that livens up the dry direct 808. Short reverbs widen the spread subtly.

The 808 may reign supreme in the low end, but thoughtful sound design and effects help it complement the full spectrum of a mix. A true 808 balances power and precision.

Crafting 808 Basslines

The 808 kick transcends rhythm to become a full melodic instrument via creative sample tuning and performance.

Most software samplers allow adjusting an 808 kick’s pitch across the keyboard range. Timing this to the song’s key makes the boom melodically relevant.

Performing pitch-shifted 808s on MIDI keyboards or programming note sequences unlocks basslines. While synthetic, this expands the rhythmic functions exponentially.

With careful sound design, the decaying sine wave of a pitched-down 808 convincingly approximates a sustained bass tone. Octave layering helps bolster depth.

Composing Melodic 808 Basslines

Approaching the 808 as a bass composition tool requires understanding of harmony, scales, and melodic techniques.

Repeating the root 808 on downbeats effectively carries harmonic progression. More active lines weave across bar lines, anticipating chord changes.

Playing 808 melodies in thirds and fifths relative to the chords thickens harmonic support. Syncopation and repetition build motifs.

Transcribing and performing basslines on the 808 integrates electronic and acoustic groove concepts. The legato effect of sliding 808 notes adds fluidity.

Gliding, Pitch Bends and Special Effects

Effects and performance techniques further animate sequenced 808 basslines.

Portamento glide between 808 notes smooths otherwise robotic transitions. Fast pitch modulation warbles the 808 for tension.

Expressive pitch bend performances on MIDI keyboards turn rigid sequences into dynamic basslines. The 808 changes over time.

Whether enhancing sequences or performed parts, effects breathe life into 808 basslines. The result blurs the line between man and machine.

Modern Tools for Crafting 808s

The iconic 808 sound is embedded in our musical consciousness. But recreating those analog tones presents challenges in the digital production era. Fortunately, modern music software provides excellent solutions. From authentic emulations to creative sound design tools, producers have endless options for crafting deep 808 tones without vintage hardware.

Top Software Plugins

Thanks to software, today’s producers enjoy endless options for crafting deep 808 tones without vintage hardware.

Realistic emulations like Plugin Boutique’s Boombox and Wave Alchemy’s XO give total control over 808 synthesis parameters. The interface matches analog kits.

DJ-centric sample packs like Audiomodern’s Playbeat, W.A. Production’s Roland Cloud provide hundreds of tuned, layered 808 hits for easy track creation.

Creative FX plugins like Soundtoys Decapitator and iZotope Trash 2 add vintage grit and character to modern 808 samples. Parallel distortion beefs up pure tones.

Instruments like Native Instrument’s Monark capacitor synth mimic analog synthesis for shaping 808-style tones from scratch. Timeless circuitry awaits.

While hardware purists persist, modern producers agree software provides the most flexibility and convenience for readily crafting the classic 808 sound. The tools now far exceed the original machine.

Hardware Options

For producers craving tactile control, modern hardware provides authentic 808 sound design and sequencing with modern conveniences.

Roland’s AIRA series drum machines like the TR-8S and TR-06 recreate the 808 and 909, with editable parameters for tuning and sculpting sounds.

Boutique clones like AcidLab’s Miami provide extensive analog 808 circuit modeling in a portable, battery-powered box for travel and inspiration.

For ultimate flexibility, Eurorack modular systems allow combining individual components like VCOs and gates to hand-craft 808 tones from elementary building blocks.

While expensive, Eurorack opens up creative possibilities. Independent kick drums, snares, cymbals provide unlimited sound design freedom.

For musicians equally obsessed with past and future, hardware reignites the 808 experience with the immediacy of physical control. The thump flows through circuits and pads alike.

Creative Sound Design Tools

While authenticity has its place, the true 808 spirit is experimentation and innovation. New creative tools unlock fresh sound design possibilities.

Plugins like Sugar Bytes Effectrix and Portal provide limitless mangling of 808 samples. Stutter, chop, repeat and layer sounds with endless modulation options.

Native Instruments’ Guitar Rig offers amp/cabinet modeling and effects for shaping 808 kicks like live instruments. Unorthodox processing reveals new tones.

FL Studio’s NewTone and Ableton Live’s built-in tools allow manipulating 808 samples like playable instruments. Transpose, tune, warp and more with surgical precision.

For melodic approaches, Camel Audio Alchemy provides advanced resynthesis and morphing options to craft shifting, animated 808 basslines.

Whether seeking glitches or harmonies, manipulating 808s with creative sound design plugins generates inspiring results. The spirit of innovation lives on.

Final Thoughts

The Roland TR-808 has undoubtedly cemented its status as one of the most iconic instruments in music history. While created as just one drum machine among many in the early 80s, its distinctive analog sound went on to lay the foundation for emerging genres of electronic dance music, hip-hop, pop, and more.

But why has this vintage sound stood the test of time and remained relevant over four decades later?

Firstly, the 808’s punchy kick and sub-heavy bass drum provides the instantly recognizable, infectious boom that cuts through any mix. This commanding low-end translates beautifully across sound systems to captivate listeners.

Secondly, the 808 transcended into a cultural phenomenon that influenced fashion, language, and creative approaches to production. It became woven into the fabric of hip-hop and dance music as a symbol of rebellion and innovation.

And finally, endless creative possibilities emerged from manipulating the 808’s signature components – whether through effects, synthesis, sampling, or modal performance. Producers across generations have reinvented this icon in their own way.

The 808’s continuing relevance and influence today is a testament to the timeless quality of good ideas executed with imagination. Much more than just another drum machine, the 808 became its own musical genre and creative community. Its booming legacy persists both on and off the charts.