It’s no secret that the 808 is one of the most popular sounds in music production. But what is an 808, and how can you use it in your own tracks? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what an 808 is, and some tips on how to make the most of this classic sound in your music. Stay tuned!

808s: An Introduction

An 808 is a drum machine that was popularized by the Roland TR-808 rhythm composer. It was one of the first programmable drum machines and was released in 1980. Initially the reviews were not positive with many people terming the sounds produced with the device’s analog synthesis as unrealistic drum sounds. The 808 became popular in hip hop and electronic dance music and has been used by producers such as Dr. Dre, Afrika Bambaataa, David Guetta, and many others.

The sound of the 808 is unique in musical context and can be characterized by its deep, punchy bass sound. This is why the 808 is often used for basslines and drums in electronic music. In hip hop music, the rhythm machine is often used for sub-bass frequencies, which gives the modern music its distinctive “bounce.”

808 in Electronic Music

The 808 bass drum is a key element in many genres of electronic music, particularly in hip hop, rave, and EDM. It has a unique, hard-hitting sound that can add a lot of power and energy to a track. In this article, we’ll take a look at how the 808 bass drum is used in electronic music production.

The 808 bass drum gets its name from the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which was released in 1980. The electronic drum machine was originally designed for use in live shows and dance clubs, but it quickly became popular with producers and musicians in a wide range of genres. The 808 bass drum sound is achieved by triggering a short, sharp burst of noise from a sound source, typically a piezo disc or contact microphone.

The 808 bass drum has been used on some of the biggest hits in electronic music history. Kanye West released an entire album with the same title. Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” is a prime example. Some other examples of popular songs include Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock” (1982), Run-DMC’s “Walk This Way” (1986), Beastie Boys’ “Paul Revere” (1986), Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noise” (1987), and N.W.A’s “Straight Outta Compton” (1988).

In recent years, the 808 bass drum has continued to be used extensively in a wide range of electronic music genres. Some notable examples include Skrillex’s “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” (2010), Knife Party’s “Internet Friends” (2011), and Disclosure’s “Latch” (2012).

As you can see, the 808 bass drum is an essential element of many electronic music genres. If you’re producing music in any of these genres, it’s definitely worth considering using an 808 bass drum sound in your tracks.

How to make great 808s?

Find a good 808 sample

The first step to making a great 808 is to find a good sample. There are plenty of 808 samples available online, and you can also find them in some drum machines and samplers. Just make sure that you find a sample that has a good, punchy sound. A lot of producers claim the Spinz 808 and Zaytoven 808 as some of the best in hip-hop.

Layer the 808 with other drums.

Once you’ve found a good 808 sample, the next step is to layer it with other drums. This will help to add more power and depth to your track. There are a few ways you can layer the 808.

One way is to use a kick drum sample and layer it with the 808. This will give your track more impact and make it sound fuller.

Another way to layer the 808 is to use a snare drum sample. This will help to add more attacks to the 808 and make it sound more aggressive.

You can also try layering the 808 with a hi-hat. This will give your track more texture and make it sound more interesting.

Experiment with different drum samples and see what sounds best for your track. There is no right or wrong way to do this, so just have fun and see what you can come up with.

Add effects to the 808

The third step is to add effects to the 808. This can help to give it more character and make it stand out in your track. Try adding a bit of distortion, compression, or clipping. Adding effects to the 808 will help to make it more unique and interesting.

One way to add effects is to use a drum machine or sampler that has built-in effects. Another way is to use an external effects processor.

This can be done by running the output of the 808 into the input of the effects processor. Then, run the output of the effects processor into your mixer or audio interface.

Experiment with EQ

The fourth step is to experiment with EQ. This can help you to shape the sound of the 808 and make it more powerful. Try boosting the lows and highs, and see what sounds best for your track.

A good starting point is to boost the low end around 80 Hz and the high end around 10 kHz. Then, experiment with different EQ settings and see what sounds best.

It’s also a good idea to experiment with the volume of the 808. Try turning it up or down and see how it affects your track.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to EQ the 808. Make it your own and have fun with it.

Sidechain to a kick drum

The fifth step is to sidechain the 808 to a kick drum. This will help to add more rhythm and groove to your track.

To do this, you will need an audio interface with two inputs. Then, connect the output of the kick drum to one input and the output of the 808 to the other input.

Next, open your DAW and create a new track. Then, insert a sidechain compression plugin on the track.

Finally, set the sidechain input to the kick drum and the threshold to around -20 dB. This will tell the compressor to duck the 808 whenever the kick drum hits.

Use compression wisely.

The next step is to use compression wisely. This can help to add more punch and power to the 808.

One way to do this is to use a compressor with a fast attack and release. This will help to keep the 808 soundings tight and focused.

Another way to use compression is to sidechain the 808 to a kick drum. This will help to add more rhythm and groove to your track.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to compress the 808. Just make sure that you don’t overdo it. Too much compression can ruin the sound of the 808 and make it sound weak and thin. Experiment and see what sounds best for your track.

Automate your 808s

The final step is to automate your 808s. This can help to add more interest and variation to your track.

One way to automate the 808 is to change the volume over time. Try making the 808 louder in the buildups and quieter in the drop. This will help to create tension and release in your track.

Another way to automate the 808 is to change the EQ over time. Try boosting the lows in the buildups and the highs in the drop. This will help to create more energy and excitement in your track.

Get creative with your sample choices.

There’s no need to stick to the same old samples when creating your music. Be creative and explore different sounds and textures to find what works best for your track.

You may be surprised at how much difference a new sample can make.

808 vs. Kick

The 808 and kick are two of the most important elements in any electronic track. They provide the rhythm and drive that keep the listener moving. While they share some similarities, there are also some important differences between them.

The 808 is typically a lower-pitched, bass-heavy sound, while the kick is usually a higher-pitched, sharper sound. The 808 is typically more sustaining, while the kick is usually more transient.

The 808 is often used to provide a sense of rhythm and groove, while the kick is typically used to provide a sense of power and energy.

When choosing between an 808 and a kick, it’s important to consider the overall feel and energy of your track.

If you want a heavier, more driving sound, then the 808 is a good choice. If you want a sharper, more energetic sound, then the kick is a better choice. Ultimately, it’s up to you to experiment and find what works best for your track.

808 FAQs

What does an 808 sound like?

An 808 typically has a lower-pitched, bass-heavy sound. It is often used to provide a sense of rhythm and groove in a track.

What are some good 808 samples?

There are many great 808 samples available online. You can take samples from any rhythm composer. Some of our favorites include the Boom Bap Drum Kit, the Drumvault OVO Drum Kit, and the Wave Alchemy Drumvault TR-808 Expansion Pack.

How do I make my 808 sound better?

There are a few things you can do to make your 808 sound better. First, try using a compressor with a fast attack and release.

This will help to keep the 808 soundings tight and focused. Second, try sidechaining the 808 to a kick drum.

This will help to add more rhythm and groove to your track. Finally, try automating the 808. This can help to add more interest and variation to your track.

What is the difference between an 808 and a kick?

The 808 is often associated with a bass-heavy sound, whereas the kick is usually associated with a higher-pitched, sharper tone. The 808 is more sustaining in nature, while the kick is usually more fleeting. The 808 is commonly used to provide a sense of rhythm and groove, whereas the kick is typically utilized to provide energy and power.

Should I use 808 in my tracks?

It depends on the overall feel and energy of your track. If you want a heavier, more driving sound, then the 808 is a good choice. If you want a sharper, more energetic sound, then the kick is a better choice. Ultimately, it’s up to you to experiment and find what works best for your track.

How do I automate an 808?

The 808 can be automated in a few different ways. One technique is to adjust the volume over time. Try increasing the intensity of the 808 during builds and reducing it during drops. This will provide tension and release to your song. Changing the EQ over time is another approach to automate the 808. Try boosting lows in buildups and highs in the drop to make your track more dynamic. Last but not least, you may also use automation on effects for an interesting result. Experiment with adding reverb in place of silencers at major climaxes, as well as delay between them

What are some good 808 plugins?

There are a few great 808 plugins available. Our favorites include the U-He DIVA, the Arturia DrumBrute, and the Native Instruments Maschine MK3.