Roland Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Legendary TR-808 Drum Machine on 808 Day with New Content

via Roland

New Video, Interviews, Stories, and More Highlight How the 808 Has Evolved and Transformed Music, Plus Test Drive the TR-808 Plug-In on Roland Cloud for Free Through August 31

Los Angeles, CA, August 8, 2020 — Roland today honors the celebration of 808 Day, the global music community’s annual salute to the most influential drum machine of all time, the TR-808, by publishing a series of cross-platform content that delves into the way the 808 has evolved and transformed music over the past forty years, and as GRAMMY-winning producer Terry Lewis likes to say, “put the boom in music.”

Introduced 40 years ago, the Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer was one of the first affordable and widely available programmable drum machines to hit the market. Though only in production for approximately three years, its signature kick and snare—along with many other unique sounds—became tonal anchors for the hip hop and techno movements from the mid-’80s onward. Commonly just called “the 808,” the instrument has been embraced by artists and producers of many genres. Its sound is heard on thousands of dance tracks and hit records, and it is directly referenced in the lyrics of numerous songs over the last few decades.

In honor of the TR-808’s 40th anniversary this year, Roland is offering fans a never-before-seen look at the legendary instrument through an exclusive new series of curated #808day content, including a Q&A with lead TR-808 engineer Tadao Kikumoto, interviews with legendary producers who helped make the 808 so influential, a look at classic 808-powered tracks, and more, as well as announcing a new Roland apparel collaboration.

“BUILDING THE BEAT: INSIDE LEGENDARY TR-808 TRACKS” MINI-DOCUMENTARY
To celebrate the TR-808’s 40th anniversary, Roland spoke to some of the most prolific producers and artists and gave them the impossible task of picking a song from their discography that had the most impressionable use of the TR-808 and its timeless sounds. Viewers will take a trip down memory lane, hopping between decades, genres, songs, and artists, as they honor the 808, including: Arthur Baker, Cozmo D, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Carl Craig, A Guy Called Gerald, and Jermaine Dupri.

THOUGHTS FROM THE CREATOR
Forty years after the original TR-808 was launched, Chief Engineer Tadao Kikumoto sits down for an exclusive interview to look back on his most famous creation, and share an update on his current projects, including a return to the 808 concept.

TEST DRIVE TR-808 VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT ON ROLAND CLOUD IN AUGUST
The Roland TR-808 is available as part of the Roland Cloud suite of plug-in instruments that work directly within a DAW. Beginning August 8, Roland is offering a free test drive of the TR-808 virtual instrument through August 31. The new “TR-808 Dark Techno Raw Loops” and “Techno 808" patch collections are also offered. Simply sign up for a free Roland Account and start using the most popular drum machine of all time.

40 YEARS OF 808 PLAYLIST
The “808 40-Year Playlist” on Spotify celebrates 40 years of great music, made with a little help from the TR-808.

ZENBEATS 808 SOUND PACKS
Zenbeats is adding two new in-app sound packs to celebrate 40 years of the Roland TR-808. Vintage TR loop pack includes 100+ audio loops that will enhance tracks with the legendary sounds of the 808. Mixtape Vol. 4 "808" is a free pack that includes 70 audio loops, three Sample Verse pitched presets, one full 808 kit, and five patterns, available for a limited time. Roland Zenbeats is a music creation app designed to keep creators in an effortless artistic flow.

PLEASURES + ROLAND: 808 40TH ANNIVERSARY COLLABORATION
Los Angeles-based streetwear brand PLEASURES and Roland have worked together to create a capsule collection celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 808. The limited run collection is set to release later this month and will feature five unique pieces of apparel that highlight the functions and beautiful design of Roland’s iconic beat making machine.

THE “SOUND BEHIND THE SONG” 808 SERIES
Roland’s new editorial platform, Roland Articles, takes a behind-the-scenes look at some classic tracks that were made with the help of the TR-808, including “Love Lockdown” by Kanye West, “Doin’ It Right” by Daft Punk”, “Drunk in Love” by Beyoncé, and “Voodoo Ray” by A Guy Called Gerald.

To learn more about the TR-808 and its 40th anniversary, please visit Roland’s TR-808 story page and celebrate by joining the #808day conversation online."

Celebrate 808 Day With A Special Offer from Akai

AkaiPro · F9 MPC Essential 808s Audio Demo

via Akai

808 Day Savings

To celebrate 808 day, we have an exciting offer on our Essential 808 Expansion Pack by F9 Instruments. For a limited time, save 30% on this great collection of 808 samples. Add this pack of industry standard 808s to your library today. Use code "808BEATS" at checkout.

Happy 808 Day! [Roland Tr-08]

zerozero island

"Happy 808! These days we don't have much to celebrate, but i'll always take some time to celebrate the 808. Here's a simple, goofy rhythm i threw together on the TR-08, introduced an instrument at a time. It's no wonder the 808 is a classic, those sounds still sound amazing."

Roland TR-8S Jam Session By Ascetic Wires: "Lisbon Nights". Electronica, House, Techno & Minimal.

Ascetic Wires

"'Lisbon Nights'. Live Electronica by Ascetic Wires (Roland TR-8S)

Listen with Headphones!

Ascetic Wires #42 YouTube Video

Recorded live with a Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer (internal compression and internal effects) without further audio processing on a Q2n Zoom Handy Video Recorder (Video + Audio) and a Readme X2 Pro (Video)."

Vintage TR | Fresh Sounds

Roland Zenbeats

"Celebrate 40 years of the Roland TR-808 with the Vintage TR Loop Pack! Whether it's classic 808 BOOM, or processed snap and sizzle, these 100+ loops will infuse your tracks with the legendary sounds of the drum machine that started a revolution. Now available in the Zenbeats store. https://www.roland.com/us/products/ze..."

A Roland 808 Van

via @djmarkfarina

TR-808 inspired paint job.

Building the Beat: Inside Legendary Roland TR-808 Tracks

RolandChannel

"The legacy of the TR-808’s boom transcends genre—touching on everything from hip-hop and R&B to techno and house. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legendary drum machine, a group of musical luminaries breaks down their stone-cold 808 classics.

Watch Arthur Baker, A Guy Called Gerald, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jermaine Dupri, the Avila Brothers, Cozmo D, and Carl Craig discuss mainstream hits and underground classics from their discographies.

These eclectic producers and artists provide exclusive glimpses behind the curtain into what made their gems jam. Each one shares studio secrets that make “Planet Rock,” “Voodoo Ray,” “Tell Me If You Still Care,” “Nice & Slow,” “Moist,” “Jam On It” and “From Beyond” so iconic. Along the way, hear about how the 808 and their work influenced each other and culture at large.

Songs in this video were recreated using the TR-808 plug-in available in Roland Cloud. Try the TR-808 plug-in for free during the month of August with your free Roland Account. In the words of Terry Lewis, 'I always say Roland put the boom in music because they gave us an opportunity to use the boom.'"

Free RC-808 “Re-Create the 808” Plug-In Now Available for Windows and Mac

The RC-808 “Re-Create the 808” Windows and Mac VST/AU plug-in, from the creators of the original Roland x0x series mentioned in this post, is now available for download at https://rc-808.com/download/.

Some details from the page for the archives:

"The RC-808 “Re-Create the 808” emulates the original TR-808 sound with analog manner synthesis. As the name implies, it is with respect to the original 808 sounds which is a criterion for sound synthesis as a vintage. Starting from this criterion, explore the multiverse of sounds, stretch out your vectors, to find out new criterion of your own. Yes, it can take you to the new sonic worlds that are completely different and yet so close and familiar to you.

Hence it is not a drum machine but is a drum synthesizer. No samples nor effects processing are being used, just genuine synthesis only, all in analog manner.

The sound source employs DCO which is in this case Down Chirp Oscillator, combined with a noise source that outputs various kinds of noises including metallic noises. There is also a infinite point wave shaper, a variable filter bank, infinite point envelope generators etc. With maximum 8 partials per voice, it allows sound designing in subtractive synthesis manner which is familiar to all, and yet still with vast outer space beckoning to be discovered.

Thanks to this flexible architecture, all instruments can have Open and Close variations just like Hi-Hats or cymbal choke performance. Coupled with piano-roll sequencer utility this brings new expressions with gate time programming, that you don’t see on a drum sequencer.

However, please note that this is a conceptual model.
We fully understand that, although we continue developing and updating this conceptual offspring of ours, it is still in its very preliminary phase, and thus is full of bugs. Then why we are releasing it globally? Because it is our hope to spread our original intention on making the TR-808 to everybody in the world, to be shared by everybody in the world, and have our memes to be passed on through ages to come. Even if it is not perfect yet, the essence of our spirit will expand its horizon and will exist ubiquitously throughout this planet.

Therefore, please note that because the RC-808 “Re-Create the 808” is merely a conceptual model to show the originally intended architecture of the TR-808, it is not fully developed as an instrument for actual usage. We do not bear any responsibility for any possible inconvenience or damages caused by this. We cannot answer to any inquiries for this product as well.

Finally, please allow us to mention that we are independent from Roland Corporation, and therefore they also cannot answer to any inquiries.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding on above all. Thank you again, indeed."

ROLAND TR-808 // The Original Machine //

Published on Aug 9, 2019 LESINDES

"Simple demo of the machine. Compare to clones :-)
I was using the master out HI diretcla in the TASCAM MODEL 24 and then into the UFX directly recording it to SD card.
Only in the end there is a bit EQ on the channel."

Roland Puma McLaren #808DAY

808 Day - Live Finger Drumming Performance

Published on Aug 8, 2019 Nular Music

"Live finger drumming performance recorded for #808day 2019.

More from me: https://soundcloud.com/nular-music/

#fingerdrumming
#808day
#launchpadpro
#novation
#808"

808 DAY 19 - short ELECTRO jam

Published on Aug 8, 2019 grauoliv

"This is a tune, originally made with KORG gadget. Sadly the 101 sequence is offset, as I forgot to reset the sequence.
Happy 808-day 2019! 5 years 808 for me now!"

Roland TR-808 8/08 Day 2019 Vintage Drum Machine Jam

Published on Aug 8, 2019 Perfect Circuit

"Even if you aren't an electronic music producer you have probably heard about Roland's TR-808 drum machine. Since today is 8/08 we decided to celebrate with this jam on a vintage 808.

This particular 808 is modified adding a few extra controls and making the clap sound especially massive. Check out our signal article which has more info about the famous TR-808 (https://www.perfectcircuit.com/signal...).

#PerfectCircuit #TR808 #808'

See the 808 Day label below for more.

Tiptop Audio 808 Day Bundle

"Happy #808DAY to all you analog souls out there. And this year for a limited time we got a surprise for you.

This year 808 day also marks 8 years since the introduction of our very successful line of 808 modules.

To commemorate this event we are offering a limited time bundle deal on a set of modules – $349 which is over half off!

The set includes the legendary Bass Drum, Snare, Hats, Cowbell, Maracas and Rimshot. Classic electronic analog drum sounds are now more affordable than ever.

Time and supplies are limited."

See the dealer banners on the right, here on MATRIXSYNTH.

It’s 808 day in Polyend too!⁣⁣

Published on Aug 8, 2019 Polyend

"It’s 808 day in Polyend too!⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣#808day #roland808 #rolandcorporation #polyend #madeinpolyend #polyendseq #polyendmedusa #dreadboxmedusa #medusasynth #tr808"

See the 808 day label below for more.

808 + Rossum Filters

Published on Aug 7, 2019 peff .com

"Happy 808 Day!"

Happy 808 Day with TR808, TR08 and Volca Nubass

Published on Aug 7, 2019 Honeysmack

"Wishing all my friends and family a very happy 808 day, may all your beats be bangers. First jam with the Korg Volca Nubass, it's all ACID!

Gear in use:
Roland TR-808
Roland TR-08
Korg Volca Nubass
Mackie 1640i mixer

http://www.instagram.com/_honeysmack_
http://www.honeysmack.info

Check out some more 808 day jams on http://www.noisegate.com.au

#808day
#nubass
#acid
#tr808
#tb303
#korgvolca"

Just Sounds: Happy 808DAY

Published on Aug 7, 2019 Noisegate

"Celebrating 808Day – jamming the Roland TR808 drum machine with Korg’s Monolgue synthesiser, the Aguilar TLC Compressor and Filter Twin, Digitech's Polara and Dirty Robot and the DOD Gunkulator."

A Happy #808day - Jam with Plaits, gizm0x's x0x heart, and PANHARMONIUM

Published on Aug 7, 2019 Masaki Takada

808 Day: The 'New York' Roland TR-808

Published on Aug 7, 2019 RolandChannel

"Pioneer New York City hip-hop producer, Larry Smith, joined Arthur Baker and Rick Rubin as a champion of the 808 sound. His personal Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer quickly earned a reputation as having THAT sound and become the rhythmic signature on iconic albums and tracks from Run DMC, Beastie Boys and Whodini.

This story follows this 'New York' TR-808 as it passed hands from the late Larry Smith to his son and producer, Larry Smith Jr, and Rashad Smith for this iconic 808 sound to continue on in modern productions. The TR-808 travels to Los Angeles and 1500 Sound Academy and introduced to the future generation of producers and beatmakers who hear an original TR-808 for the first time.

Each year, on August 8, we celebrate 808 Day and join the global community in the celebration of the music and culture that grew from the love for the Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer. Join the celebration by tagging your stories with #808day and experience other stories from around the world."