TR-808 Shootout // Can they live up to the LEGEND??

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The legendary Roland TR80*8 up against the *Roland TR-8S and the Behringer RD-8 Looking only at the sounds - or listening to them! - do they come anywhere close?

The TR-8S uses Roland's ACB technology, which is the same as the TR-8, Roland Cloud plugins and the Boutique TR-08 - so this has you covered for all of those. I'm using the RD-8 Mk2 - you cna tell because its got the black buttons, Mk1 had white.

I've gone through all the sounds (forgot the maracas in the demo bit) and showed how they differ. Taking into consideration no 2 808s will be identical I think they both stand up very well to the orginal TR808.

But if you want the exact sounds...

Buy my 495 samples here - every position on every knob!
https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p..."

Wolvap Metal Distortion processing synthezisers/drum machine

video upload by AVP Synth

"Wolvap Metal Distortion effects pedal is designed using analog circuitry and precision high-quality components. It can produce a wide range of powerful sounds rich in harmonics to achieve distortion with high gain. Features three EQ bands – LOW, MID, HI. The METAL DISTORTION allows you to adjust the sound of your instruments over a wide range of spectrum.

Metal Distortion processing various synthesizers. [Korg Mono/Poly, Yocto Roland TR-808 clone]

Product page: www.avpsynth.com"



Wolvap Metal Distortion
This effects pedal is designed using analog circuitry and precision high-quality components. The METAL DISTORTION can produce a wide range of powerful sounds rich in harmonics to achieve distortion with high gain. It features three powerful EQ bands – LOW, MID, HI. The METAL DISTORTION allows you to adjust the sound of your instruments over an extremely broad spectrum.

Main features:

LOW control - provides up to 15dB of cut and boost in the bass frequency range

MID control - provides up to 15dB of cut and boost in the middle frequency range

HI control - provides up to 10dB of cut and boost in the treble frequency range

Input Impedance - 1 MΩ

Output impedance - 500 Ω

Recommended Load Impedance - 10 kΩ or greater

Power Supply – DC adapter 9V (center negative)

Current draw – 50 mA

Dimensions – 160(W) x110(D) x60(H) mm

Weight – 600 g

DC adapter 9V (not included)

Luke Million Studio Tour Update July 2025

video upload by Luke Million

"Following the Studio Tour Video I made last November, here is an update with recent acquisitions and changes to my workflow in my Studio.

Some highlights are the Moog Messenger, Arturia DrumBrute Impact 1984 Edition, Synido TempoPAD C16, Aly James Lab Vprom 3.0, Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro, Modartt Pianoteq 8 and some Franklin Audio Devices.

The biggest change is in my 2nd Studio where the B Team is kept. I have connected those synths to a Franklin Audio SS-6 Switchable Input Stereo DI which then sends audio to my Universal Audio Volt 476 interface connected to a Macbook Pro Laptop.

You can view the original Studio Tour Video here -"

CLICK FOR MORE »

1981 Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer (Serviced) SN 124650

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"1981 Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer - Serial No. 124650

Here it is! What many would call the most famous drum machine of all time. The TR-808 is well known for being the driving force of the hip hop genre and many other electronic genres. It's wonderful set of analog sounds can be heard on countless records and are as popular in today's contemporary culture as ever.

This unit was just serviced and is in perfect working order. The drums all sound incredible, in particular the snare and clap on this model. Unit has a new start/stop and tap switch along with a replaced sequencer board from Syntaur.

Cosmetically it looks perfectly vintage in our opinion. The only real blemish is the white cap on the snare's 'snappy' knob is missing. Fantastic piece of gear all in all!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer SN 051969

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

CLICK FOR MORE »

Minimal Dub Techno with TR-808 : Corollary 2025-07-10 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A minimalistic dub-techno piece built from the Roland TR-808, ‪@SequentialLLC‬ Prophet-10, ‪@KORG_INC‬ MS-20, and a noise box, where reverb- and delay-soaked harmonies float over a steady rhythm.

TR-808: Individual outs are used.

Kick: Sent through a BASS DRIVER DI and EQ’d for weight.

Clap: Runs into a MICROCOSM for delay.

Hi-hats & toms: Taken from the main outs and drenched in reverb via a ‪@strymon‬ blueSky.

Prophet-10: Plays simple chords and melodies. The signal first receives delay from a ‪@BOSSinfoglobal‬ DD-6, then deep reverb from a blueSky; additional filtering and reverb are applied later in the DAW.

MS-20: Handles the bass line, recorded through the BASS DRIVER for extra grit.

Noise box: Its output is boosted and modulated by ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ GENERATION LOSS MK II, then sent through the ‪@HologramElectronics‬ MICROCOSM for expansive reverb."

Revisiting Synths With Howard Jones

video uploads by howardjonesmusic

Playlist:

1. Revisiting the JUNO-60

I just had my Roland JUNO-60 fixed, so grateful to have this great instrument back in my studio #howardjones #Roland #juno60 #keyboard #humanslib

2. Experimenting with my first Prophet 5 #prophet5 #howardjones #keyboard #synth

3. HoJo x Roland TR-808 drum machine

Revisiting the Roland TR-808 drum machine which used to be a very important part of my one man set up. Can’t believe it still works! #808 #howardjones #80smusic #Hideandseek #equality #boucerightback #alwaysaskingquestions

4. Revisiting the Moog Prodigy

5. Revisiting the Yamaha VL1 Version 2

Revisiting the Yamaha VL1 Version 2 with the breath piece. A very special and unique synth I used on the Perform album #keyboard #yamaha #Vlone #HowardJones

http://www.howardjones.com/

1984 Post-Apocalyptic Inspirational Beat | Yamaha DX7 & Roland TR-808 ‘Back Ups on the Way’ #808

video upload by Keyboard Kingpin

"Bringing you a beat made with the legendary Roland TR-808 — the real deal, no samples, no emulations. Just raw analog power.

All synth sounds come from the iconic Yamaha DX7 — smooth, gritty, and 100% hardware. Nothing virtual here. This track, “Back Ups on the Way”, is for those moments when Shits hitting the Fan... but you keep pushing. Stay strong. Stay ready. Help is coming.

Much love and respect to everyone listening. 💥
#808 #dx7 #analoggear #hardwarebeat #retrofuture"

Dub Techno w/ TR-808, Music Easel, microKORG S Mirage in Tokyo by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A track built with the Roland TR-808, Buchla Music Easel, and ‪@KORG_INC‬ microKORG S—dub techno sculpted from delay-soaked synth lines and classic drum-machine rhythms.

TR-808: Kick is sent from the individual out through a SANSAMP Bass Driver before recording; all other sounds leave the main out, which runs into a Boss DD-6 for tempo-synced delay.

Music Easel: Generates soft-attack, long-release tones that feed into a ‪@strymon‬ NIGHTSKY for reverb and filter sweeps.

microKORG S: Plays a MIDI-sequenced phrase with its onboard delay, while additional notes are overdubbed live."

Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer SN 041626 Pro Serviced w/ Kenton Midi

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"This is a really nice one considering its age. No dents, scratches, or other damages. Recently serviced by the best analog service in the Netherlands. It has the pitch mod (using the fine potentiometer) and the Kenton MIDI kit installed on the sync port. The sync port can still be used for DIN sync, but can now also receive MIDI. Supports both MIDI sync and MIDI notes, now with velocity sensitivity as well! Compatible with other Roland drum machines—just plug in a MIDI cable and start playing. All original functions still operate as intended, and the modifications can be fully reversed if desired. No holes have been drilled. The power supply has been converted to 220 volts. All potentiometers and switches are new."

CLICK FOR MORE »

6/24-27/25 .com Q173 Gate Math + Metasonix D-2000 + ZI 6550-99 + TR-606 + (more in description)

video upload by Cfpp0

"6/24-27/25 Synthesizers.com Q173 Gate Math + Metasonix D-2000 + Zerosum Inertia 6550-99 + Roland TR-606 + STG muSonics Vanilla Envelope + MFB dual ADSR + Intellijel LPG + Birdkids Unicorn Boom + Peavey 1300 + CorSynth C102 VC LFO + Synthetic Sound Labs 1660 + Alesis MIDIVERB II + Ace Tone MP-4 + Oakley Modular ADSR/VCA + MXR 136 dual limiter

Sort of reminds me of 'Goodbye Horses' by Q Lazzarus. The Synthesizers.com Q173 Gate Math has been very underutilized, so it’s been moved, and this was the first time I used it on the Metasonix D-2000. ALM Pamela’s New Workout is driving the Q173, which is triggering the D-2000. The D-2000 mix output runs through the Intellijel Passive LPG, which is controlled by the MFB dual ADSR, which is driven by Pamela’s. A copy of the Intellijel LPG runs through the Peavey 1300 delay, panned left, with gates reverb from the Alesis MIDIVERB II. The bass drum is from the Birdkids Unicorn Boom, triggered by Pamela’s, and limited by the MXR 136. The high pitched 16th note claves that sound like crickets are from the DSP 808, modulated by the MFB dual ADSR. The snare is from the Roland TR-606, processed by the Ace Tone MP-4 spring reverb. The hi hat is also from the TR-606, processed by a reversed reverb from the MIDIVERB II. The synth line is the Synthetic Sound Labs 1660 audio out through two Zerosum Inertia 6550-99 oscillators through the STG muSonics Vanilla Envelope and the Oakley ADSR/VCA, with additional modulation from the CorSynth C102 VC LFO."

Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer w/ Docs

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"The real thing drum machine: Roland TR-808. It's shocking to hear these actual analog circuits making the sounds you've been hearing on so many hip-hop/pop/new-wave/soul hits your whole life. Nothing can touch it. This is a fantastic specimen. I've been the owner since purchasing in the mid 1990s, and it has been in active use in my studio ever since. I just had it professionally cleaned and examined by my repair tech. The controls are responsive and work as they should. Exterior is very clean, with some slight haze in the finish here and there, typical of its age. Also included are the original manuals and docs."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Patch & Play: Roland TR-808 - Episode 1

video upload by William Cas

"In this episode of Patch & Play, William Cas explores the TR-808, a legendary analog drum machine released by Roland in 1980, celebrated for its deep bass drum, crisp hi-hats, and iconic snare, which helped define the sound of hip-hop, electro, and dance music for decades.

IG / TikTok: @williamcasmusic

Roland TR 808 - Episode 1 is now available on audio streaming platforms here: https://too.fm/ma2og8p

Patch & Play is hosted by William Cas, featuring a new setup each series of episodes. The experience itself unfolds as a meditative dialogue with the environment, exploring its unique alchemy of sounds.

Produced by Nolan Feldpausch
IG: @noliefeldpausch

Chapters
0:00 - Sample 1
1:52 - Sample 2
2:40 - Sample 3
3:40 - Sample 4
4:54 - Sample 5
5:41 - Sample 6
6:21 - Sample 7
7:08 - Sample 8
7:55 - Sample 9
8:35 - Sample 10
9:28 - Sample 11
10:02 - Sample 12"

Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer (with original manual and more)

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"working perfectly fine. all knobs and buttons fully functional.

comes with the original manual, a decksaver, and the original protective sleeve that was on it when unboxing it for the first time. the plastic sleeve has cracks though! But you can simply take it of, and enjoy the flawless surface underneath :)

comes in a sturdy swan flight case, very well protected."

CLICK FOR MORE »

1980's Power couple. Yamaha DX 7 & The Roland Tr-808 A love story like no other..#808 #synth

video upload by Keyboard Kingpin

"Join us Friends AS we look into that fire 80s couple know as the Yamaha Dx 7 & the Roland Tr-808 This Synthesizer / Drum machine combo took the 1980s and early 90s by storm. So many excellent songs where made with this fire combination. Lets explore the sound combination , discuss songs made with the 2 instruments and of course...Make a beat with the 2! Watch like comment, Share and subscribe. Much love from Keyboard Kingpin. Thanks for watching!

0:01 intro
0:49 impact of this power couple
2:22 Yamaha analog drum machines
3:15 Roland's version of Fm synthesis
3:46 Songs that use both the dx7 and tr808
5:16 A beat made with nothing but the dx7 and tr808
8:14 Outro"

Original Classic MFB 501 (Early 80s)

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Fully functional original Fricke Rhythmusmaschine MFB-501. Reissued a few years back, and it might be my imagination, but I'd say – with all due respect to the MFB-501 'Pro,' it was very cool of MFB to do that, esp. considering the original price it went for – this, to these ears, sounds considerably better; deeper, and, though this is not a real thing, I know, but I'll go ahead and say it anyway: more analog. I take it back, that sounds awful and stupid. It sounds really good and it is fully analog (but so is the Pro, which adds the MFB Kult's samples and MIDI, which this one all lacks (it has trigger input though, which is cool), and but so be aware of that).

At the time, the 501 outsold Roland's TR 808 by far in Germany, and over a 5000 units were sold. This from one guy in Berlin, hey, follow that. Nowadays they're nevertheless quite rare, as far as I know. Well, I'd keep it if I could afford it.

For its age it looks pretty great (see pics), all the switches working like charms, sounds kind of amazing. Someone wrote the voltage and polarity on top; this can be cleaned but I thought it looked cool. It comes with a Euro PSU that adapts to that info, BTW."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Minimal House w/ TR-808, nord lead, Prophet-10, Music Easel | Reject 2025-06-17 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"Ableton serves as the master clock, syncing the Roland TR-808 and ‪@buchlausa‬ Buchla Music Easel via a Doepfer MSY-2.

‪@NordKeyboards‬ Nord Lead: Plays the harmony with reverb from a ‪@gfisys‬ Specular Tempus.

‪@SequentialLLC‬ Prophet-10: In the break section, it’s drenched in deep ‪@strymon‬ blueSky reverb.

Bass line: Sequenced from Ableton to the ‪@MoogSynthesizers‬ Grandmother over MIDI."

06.17.2025 Man Machine for fun

video upload by batchas

"Music as therapy...
As usual I'm recording directly to one stereo track and I noticed while watching the video that the Minimoog is too loud (still I love its sound!) and the 808 bass drum a bit too low, but as I currently want to spend as less time as possible on the same project, I won't record another take and I'll move on to something different.

Sounds: Mos-Lab 2500, muSonics Minimoog, Roland Juno 60, Waldorf Q, Waldorf Pulse +, Oberheim Matrix 1000, Roland TR-808, Ace Tone Rhythm Ace.
Effect: Eventide H9, Hologram Microcosm, Audiothingies Doctor A."

06.17.2025 Man Machine for fun [The instruments I used]

video upload by batchas

6/16/25 Roland (RYK, E-licktronic) System 100m + Peavey 1300 + DeltaLab Effectron II + MIDIVERB II

video upload by Cfpp0

"Haven’t been using the E-licktronic 118a 808 bass drum and snare drum clone lately, so this was a chopping-block patch. We’re going to keep the 118a module in the end, as it’s still the closest thing to a Roland TR-808 around here. This System 100m patch is based around two RYK Modular 185 sequencers. The right 185 is clocked by the left 185’s gate output. The 118a snare is being triggered by that same gate pattern and the snare audio output is running through the DeltaLab Effectron II delay, feedback maxed, panned left. Both 110 VCOs are controlled by two RYK 185 sequencers, and both VCOs pass through the right 110 VCF into the right 110 VCA into the Peavey 1300 delay with plenty of feedback, panned center. The 150 and 140 LFOs are on the 110 filters and modulating the 118a accent in and decay CV. Some reverb (preset 23) from the Alesis MIDIVERB II."

Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer [SN 381594]

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"It was released between 1981 and 1984 as the successor to the TR-808, and its unique textured sound can still be heard today in sound sources by a wide variety of artists.

Today's rhythm machines, synths, modules, and software sound generators also feature the 909 sound, making it an indispensable essence for production.

It is the classic sound of machine drums. It is truly a masterpiece of a rhythm machine.

Compared to the TR-808, which uses a full analog sound source, the 909 uses a PCM sound source with 6-bit sampling for the cymbal system.

This hybrid approach is inherited from the TR-808 in terms of the thick kick and toms produced by the analog circuitry, while digital sampling is used for the cymbals.

The unique "that" hardware sound by low-bit sampling. This distinctive sound and the TR-REC sequencer helped solidify its position. House and techno are genres spawned by the 909's sound, and might not have existed without it."

CLICK FOR MORE »