The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer is one of the most influential drum machines ever made. Produced from 1980 to 1983, it helped redefine the sound of electronic music with a completely analogue voice architecture, distinctive step sequencing, and a collection of synthetic percussion sounds that remain instantly recognisable more than four decades later.
Rather than using samples, the TR-808 generates its drum sounds electronically, giving it a character that is unmistakably its own. The deep, resonant bass drum, crisp snare, metallic cowbell, distinctive handclap, toms, congas, cymbal and hi-hats have become foundational sounds across electronic music, hip-hop, pop and countless other styles.
Its programming system was equally important. Patterns can be built directly on the 16-step interface, accented, varied and chained into longer rhythm tracks, making the TR-808 a genuinely compositional instrument rather than a simple preset rhythm box. Individual level controls and extensive voice shaping allow each percussion sound to be balanced and tuned within a pattern, while dedicated outputs make multitrack recording and external processing straightforward.
Comprehensive sync and trigger connectivity also allows the TR-808 to act as the rhythmic centre of a larger vintage electronic setup, integrating easily with sequencers, synthesizers and other drum machines.
Specifications
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Sound Generation: Fully Analogue
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Pattern Memory: 12 Basic Rhythms with A / AB / B Variations
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Intro / Fill Patterns: 4
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Step Length: 1-32 Steps
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Rhythm Tracks: 12 Tracks
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Track Length: Up to 64 Measures per Track
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Total Rhythm Track Capacity: 768 Measures
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Tempo Range: 40-300 BPM
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Auto Fill: Manual, 16, 12, 8, 4 or 2 Measure Intervals
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Bass Drum Controls: Level, Tone, Decay
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Snare Drum Controls: Level, Tone, Snappy
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Low Tom / Conga: Level, Tuning
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Mid Tom / Conga: Level, Tuning
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High Tom / Conga: Level, Tuning
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Rim Shot / Claves: Level
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Hand Clap / Maracas: Level
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Cowbell: Level
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Cymbal: Level, Tone, Decay
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Open Hi-Hat: Level, Decay
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Closed Hi-Hat: Level
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Accent: Adjustable Level
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Main Output: High and Low Level
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Individual Outputs: Bass Drum, Snare, Toms/Congas, Claves/Rim Shot, Maracas/Clap, Cowbell, Cymbal, Open Hi-Hat, Closed Hi-Hat
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Trigger Outputs: Cowbell, Hand Clap / Maracas, Accent
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Sync: DIN Sync In / Out
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Footswitch Inputs: Start / Stop, Intro / Fill
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Power Consumption: 8W
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Dimensions: 508 × 305 × 105 mm
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Weight: 5 kg
One of the yellow keys (number 10) in the step sequencer section has been replaced. One of the white keys (number 16) is loose.
Video: https://youtu.be/jxz0CljLrb0
Product Specs
* User contributed details
