What is an 808 drum beat?
An 808 drum beat is a type of electronic drum sound. The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer first made it in the early 1980s. The 808 is a drum machine, an electronic musical instrument that produces sounds like drums and percussion.
The 808 drum beat has a unique sound. It is deep and booming, and you can recognize it right away. This drum sound is used frequently in hip-hop, rap, and electronic dance music (EDM).
The Roland TR-808 drum machine
The Roland TR-808, or just “808” for short, was made in Japan and released in 1980. It was one of the first drum machines to allow users to program their rhythms.
The 808 drum machine had different drum sounds:
- Bass drum
- Snare drum
- Low Tom, Mid Tom, Hi Tom
- Rimshot
- Claves
- Handclap
- Maracas
- Cowbell
- Cymbal
- Open hi-hat
- Closed hi-hat
The 808 bass drum sound is the most famous. It is very low and deep. You can feel it in your chest when you hear it. This sound was very different from real acoustic drum kits. The 808 bass drum became the main sound in many music genres.
How the 808 drum beat sounds
The 808 drum beat has a punchy, synthesized sound. It doesn’t sound natural like real drums. But that’s why people like it. The robotic sound gives songs a futuristic, electronic feel.
The bass drum is the key to the 808 sound. This low “boom” keeps the beat going strong. You make it by tuning a low sine wave that is very low in pitch. Then, you use a pitch envelope to make the sound “drop” in pitch right after you hit it. This makes the “boom” effect.
The other 808 sounds also have their style. The snare drum is bright and clicky. The hi-hats are crisp and shimmery. And the cowbell – you can’t miss that “tink-tink” sound. All together, they make a tight, punchy rhythm.
Why the 808 drum beat became so popular
When the TR-808 came out in 1980, it didn’t sell well. Musicians thought it sounded weird, not like real drums at all. However, some creative artists saw something special in the 808 sounds.
Early rap and hip-hop producers started using the 808. They liked how it sounded on the loudspeakers in clubs and cars. The deep bass made people want to dance and feel the beat.
In the mid-1980s, more and more songs used the 808 drum beat. It became the heart of hip-hop. Rap groups like Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys built their sound around it. Songs like “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa made the 808 drum beat world-famous.
Other genres of music started using the 808, too. You can hear it in electronic dance music, indie-rock, and pop music. The unique sound of the 808 adds an exciting, modern edge to all kinds of songs.
How to make an 808 drum beat
You don’t need an original TR-808 to make an 808 drum beat. Those machines are rare and very expensive now. Over $4000! Instead, you can use digital music software. There are lots of drum machine “plug-ins” that have 808 sounds.
To make an 808 drum beat, you use a step sequencer. This is a program where each drum sound has its line. It’s like a music staff for drums. You make an “x” where you want each drum to play.
Most 808 beats use the bass drum on every quarter note (the 1, 2, 3, 4 beat). This is called “four on the floor.” It keeps a steady pulse going. Then you add the snare or clap on the 2 and 4. This makes the backbeat.
From there, you can get creative. Put the hi-hats in a cool rhythm. Throw in some toms or cowbell hits. The great thing about electronic beats is that you can experiment. Make patterns and sounds you’ve never heard before.
808 beats in different music genres
You hear 808 drum beats in lots of different music now. Here’s how some main genres use them:
Hip-hop and rap
This is where the 808 started. Hip-hop beats use a lot of bass drums and snares. The hi-hat rhythm adds groove and swing. Rappers love to flow over a hard-hitting 808 beat.
Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
In dance music, 808 beats are usually faster. The tempo is around 120-130 BPM (beats per minute). House and techno use steady 4/4 beats with a loud bass drum. Drum and bass have a very fast hi-hat pattern over the beat. Trap music uses 808 sounds with a slow, half-time feel.
Pop and R&B
Lots of mainstream songs have 808 sounds, too. Producers mix them with regular drum sounds, so you get a radio-friendly beat with some 808 boom and snap. You can hear this on hits by artists like Rihanna and Kanye West.
Indie and Alternative
Even rock and indie bands sometimes use 808 beats. They like how it makes their sound more edgy and modern. They often mix the electronic 808 sounds with real drums, too. That way, you get a really powerful rhythm.
The 808 Legacy
Over 40 years after its creation, the Roland TR-808 drum machine is still popular. Its sounds are a big part of modern music. Even people who don’t know much about music history know that “808” means a big, booming beat.
New music tech has fancier drum sounds, but people will always love the classic 808 vibe. It just makes you want to move. Hundreds of hit songs have been made with 808 drum beats, and there will be many more in the future.
The Roland TR-808 was like a music pioneer. It went where no drum sound had before, and we’re still following its beats today. The 808 rhythm has become a timeless, electronic heartbeat that keeps music pumping.
