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The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, is a drum machine that was manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1980 and 1983. It was one of the first drum machines to allow users to program rhythms and create their own sounds, rather than being limited to preset patterns. The 808 was initially a commercial failure, but it went on to become a cornerstone of electronic, dance and hip-hop music, and has been used on more hit records than any other drum machine.

The Roland TR-808 was produced between 1980 and 1983

The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, is a drum machine manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1980 and 1983. It was one of the first drum machines to allow users to program rhythms instead of using preset patterns.

The 808 was launched in 1980 with a list price of US$1,195 (equivalent to $4,419 in 2023). It was initially a commercial failure, with fewer than 12,000 units sold. This was because electronic music had not yet become mainstream, and many musicians and producers wanted realistic-sounding drum machines. The 808 sounded simplistic and synthetic by comparison.

However, the 808 soon attracted a cult following in the 1980s. Its affordability on the second-hand market, ease of use, and unique sound made it a cornerstone of the emerging electronic, dance and hip-hop genres. By the time Roland discontinued the 808 in 1983, it had become common on the used market, often selling for less than $100 (equivalent to $306 in 2023).

The 808 has since been used on more hit records than any other drum machine and is considered one of the most influential inventions in popular music. Its powerful bass drum sound, in particular, has been described as the heartbeat of hip-hop.

The TR-808 was succeeded by the TR-909 in 1983, the first Roland drum machine to use samples.

The TR-808 was one of the first drum machines to allow users to program rhythms instead of using preset patterns

The TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, is a drum machine that was manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1980 and 1983. It was one of the first drum machines to allow users to program rhythms instead of using preset patterns.

In the 1960s, drum machines were most often used to accompany home organs. They did not allow users to program rhythms but instead offered preset patterns such as bossa nova.

In 1978, Roland released the CompuRhythm CR-78, the first drum machine in the world where users could write, save and replay their own patterns.

With its next machine, the TR-808, Roland aimed to develop a drum machine for the professional market, expecting that it would mainly be used to create demos. The engineers conceived a "drum synthesizer" with which users could program drum sequences and edit parameters such as tuning, decay and level.

The 808 imitates acoustic percussion: the bass drum, snare, toms, conga, rimshot, claves, handclap, maraca, cowbell, cymbal and hi-hat (open and closed). It generates sounds using analog synthesis; the TR in TR-808 stands for "transistor rhythm".

The 808 was the first drum machine with which users could program a percussion track from beginning to end, complete with breaks and rolls. Users can program up to 32 patterns using the step sequencer, chain up to 768 measures and place accents on individual beats.

The TR-808 was launched in 1980 with a list price of US$1,195 (equivalent to $4,419 in 2023). Despite being a commercial failure, with fewer than 12,000 units sold, the TR-808 became one of the most influential inventions in popular music. It was used on more hit records than any other drum machine and has been described as "hip hop's equivalent to the Fender Stratocaster guitar".

It was a commercial failure, with fewer than 12,000 units sold

The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, was manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1980 and 1983. It was a commercial failure, with fewer than 12,000 units sold.

The 808 was one of the first drum machines to allow users to program rhythms instead of using preset patterns. It was also one of the first affordable programmable drum machines, with a list price of US$1,195 (equivalent to $4,419 in 2023). However, electronic music had not yet become mainstream, and many producers and musicians wanted more realistic drum sounds. The 808's sounds were described as "clicky", "robotic", "spacey", "toy-like", and "futuristic". As a result, the 808 received poor reviews and was quickly dismissed by producers.

Despite its initial commercial failure, the 808 attracted a cult following among underground musicians in the 1980s. Its affordability on the secondhand market, ease of use, and unique sounds, particularly its deep, booming bass drum, made it popular among emerging electronic, dance, and hip-hop musicians.

Over time, the 808 became a cornerstone of these genres and was used on more hit records than any other drum machine. It has been credited as one of the most influential inventions in popular music, comparable to the impact of the Fender Stratocaster on rock music. The 808's sounds are now included in music software and modern drum machines, and it continues to inspire unlicensed recreations and clones.

The commercial failure of the 808 can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the state of the music industry at the time, the desire for more realistic drum sounds, and the limitations of the technology available. However, despite its initial poor reception, the 808's influence on music has been profound and lasting.

The TR-808 was discontinued due to semiconductor improvements making it impossible to restock its faulty transistors

The TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, is a drum machine manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1980 and 1983. It was one of the first drum machines to allow users to program rhythms and sounds instead of using preset patterns. The 808 was initially a commercial failure, as electronic music had not yet become mainstream and many producers wanted more realistic drum sounds. Despite this, the 808 attracted a cult following among musicians in the 1980s due to its affordability on the secondhand market, unique sounds, and ease of use.

The TR-808 was eventually used on more hit records than any other drum machine, solidifying its status as one of the most influential inventions in popular music. However, its production was discontinued in 1983 due to semiconductor improvements making it impossible to restock its faulty transistors.

The TR-808's distinctive sound was partly due to its use of faulty transistors, which created a unique sizzling noise. Roland had purchased these faulty transistors deliberately to achieve this effect. When semiconductor improvements made it impossible to restock these specific transistors, Roland discontinued the production of the TR-808.

The end of TR-808 production did not mark the end of its influence, as it continued to be widely used in second-hand markets and inspired unlicensed recreations. Its deep, booming bass drum sound became a staple in hip-hop, electronic, and dance music, with artists such as Kanye West using it extensively.

In conclusion, the TR-808's discontinuation due to semiconductor improvements highlights the impact of technological advancements on musical instrument manufacturing. The quest for perfect, realistic sounds led to the accidental creation of a unique, influential instrument that continues to shape music decades later.

Despite this, it was used on more hit records than any other drum machine

The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, was manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1980 and 1983. It was a commercial failure, as electronic music was yet to enter the mainstream, and many producers wanted more realistic drum sounds. The 808 was also expensive, and musicians feared it would put drummers out of business.

However, the 808's commercial failure was ironic, as it fuelled its popularity. As established musicians sold their 808s at second-hand stores, the machine became more accessible to young musicians, coinciding with hip-hop and electronic dance music's rise to popularity. The 808's ease of use, affordability, and unique sound earned it a cult following among underground musicians and producers.

The 808 became a cornerstone of the developing electronic and hip-hop genres, with its sounds included in modern music software and drum machines. It has been described as hip-hop's equivalent to the Fender Stratocaster guitar, which dramatically influenced the development of rock music.

The 808 was used by pioneering hip-hop acts, including Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and Public Enemy. The 808 bass drum, in particular, became so essential that Hank Shocklee of the Bomb Squad production group declared that "it's not hip-hop without that sound".

The 808 has been used extensively in pop music, triggering a shift from conventional structure and harmonic progression to "thinking in terms of sequences, discrete passages of sound and time to be repeated and revised ad infinitum".

The 808 was used on Kanye West's 2008 album, "808s & Heartbreak", which West described as "an explicit love letter to the device". The album topped the Billboard 200 and received positive reviews from music critics.

Despite its initial failure, the 808 was eventually used on more hit records than any other drum machine, influencing popular music and becoming one of the most influential inventions in music.

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