The Thing That Goes Boom

In 1980, the Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer was released to an unsuspecting and somewhat bewildered public. To many at the time, its tweakable analog tones didn’t exactly deliver “traditional” or “realistic” drum sounds. It wasn’t until after a few adventurous musicians and producers got their hands on the TR-808 and started tweaking those knobs that the world would feel the impact it would leave on music forever. For decades since, the sizzling hi-hats and snappy snare, the clicky rim shot, the unmistakable cowbell, and yes—that booming bass drum—have been heard on worldwide hits and underground classics. Its influence is so deep that it’s been name-dropped in famous tracks, had albums dedicated to it, bands named after it, and is even the subject of a feature-length documentary film.

That 8 Oh 8

The Roland TR-808 is one of the most revered and sought-after electronic musical instruments of all time—and its influence only continues to grow. New musical genres make heavy use of the 808, with some utilizing it as the main instrument and defining sound of the style. The Roland TR-808 is so desirable that original units sell for thousands of dollars on the used market and it’s often been imitated with sound-alike sample-packs, less-than-faithful apps, and knock-offs. But the 808 is a complex beast and far more than the sum of its parts. Its iconic user interface and the unique personality created by the sounds responding and interacting with each other are vitally important to conjuring up that authentic TR-808 mojo. And you know it when you hear it.

The Return of The King

Using our proprietary  Analog Circuit Behavior technology, we’ve painstakingly recreated the original analog circuits that are the essence of the TR-808’s distinct sound. All the nuance and detail are accounted for resulting in a living, breathing Roland TR-808 for your DAW. This software adaption not only sounds and acts true-to-life, but it injects new and exciting enhancements into the classic 808 formula. Each pattern has eight variations so you can create evolving sequences that keep things interesting. The classic 16-step “TR-REC” sequencer can be expanded to include a sequencer lane for each drum instrument so you can program faster and more fluidly. The sequencer has adjustable flams and sub-steps so you can create detailed fills and ratcheting sequences. And each instrument has its own “last step” and shuffle settings so you can play with timing, experiment with polyrhythms, and dial in just the right groove for your tracks. You can even drag patterns from the TR-808 directly into your DAW as MIDI or audio clips!

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