I need some solid 808s!!!

[gb-jazz]

I want to get some software for 808 kicks and Claps. I would prefer software/hardware that I will let me pitch the kicks, toms, and claps, up or down along with the melody. Can you guys suggest some solutions?

[jebjerome]

1.NI Battery and some great samples. 2.Guru and some great samples.

[Zacchino]

E-Phonic Drumatic

Not quite 808 as far as I know (I personnally wouldn't copy Dre or Lil Jon), still this soft drum synth (vsti) has a great potential :

http://www.e-phonic.com/downloads/drumatic_3_01.zip

[sasha222]

jomox xbase09

jomox Mbase01 just for kicks

[gb-jazz]

Oh yeah I'm using a mac. And If I were to use samples does anyone know of any excellent sample libraries for 808s?

[jazzy655]

Originally Posted by gb-jazz

Oh yeah I'm using a mac. And If I were to use samples does anyone know of any excellent sample libraries for 808s?

yo cop the "vintage machines" library from modernbeats.com
it's got nothing but 808 909 707 linndrum.... its got all that stuff.

they all sound really nice, and it's only like $30.
if you dont like it, well it didn't cost you a fortune.
i use them everyday thoughthumbsup

[chester]

http://rolandclan.info/en/samples/tr-808/

have a look there for good samples.

ciao

[gsilbers]

Originally Posted by gb-jazz

Oh yeah I'm using a mac. And If I were to use samples does anyone know of any excellent sample libraries for 808s?

make them yourself with soniccharge utonic.

dman good softsynth. great hats also. 808ish but u can tune them to your beats!

from the same guys who did reason synths (malstrom)

[gb-jazz]

Originally Posted by gsilbers

make them yourself with soniccharge utonic.

dman good softsynth. great hats also. 808ish but u can tune them to your beats!

from the same guys who did reason synths (malstrom)

I've seen Microtonic (utonic), does it have 808 presets? Or is it pretty easy to make them myself from scratch?

[Tibbon]

If you want an 808, why not get an 808?

I use a Machinedrum.

[sequoia]

Jomox mbase all day........

[Feinstrom]

Good old Novation Drumstation!
No household should be without one...

[illynoise]

If you got logic pro, or know someone that does, the hottest 808's that I've heard and I used to have an original 808, check out Ultrabeat, it's a bad motha'!!!!!

BaseJase
Illynoise

[Jeffason]

I LOVE ULTRABEAT!!!

[dshay]

I don't know if they programmed a version for mac, but Stomper, is a freeware program that does the most excellent wave renditions of analog 808 steez electro ish.

[dtheone]

Too bad you don't have a pc; you can get a free copy of Rebirth; the ultimate 808 909 303 emulator from www.rebirthmuseum.com.

If you happen to have reason; you can get a free reason refill of rebirth including all the mods from www.propellerheads.se

[gb-jazz]

I am listening to T. Pain's "Rappa ternt sanga" and the crispness and clearness of the pitched 808s is amazing. E-40s newest record has some great examples of this as well. The drums are untouchable.
Has anyone used the Roland Varios module? I think it looks great for stretching compressing 808 samples ect...
Also Kontact 2 can timestretch but there seem to be artifacts that occur. Maybe with some tweaking....

[Dirty Halo]

You want specific samples at a specific rates, I could do a specific collection per your request and burn WAVs or whatever format at whatever sample rates for ya.

I could go direct, API or NEVE pres, with or without compression (SSL, Fatso, 1176 or LA-2A..)

Just an offer.

-andrews

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

P.S. Gotta say, nothing sounds as good as the real thing. Every track I do, I find myself doingnew kicks with different attacks and booms.

[jkamata]

if ya got the guts to do what I did buy an original tr-808 and modify the shit out of it..

heres what mine can do..

infinite decay and tune on kick drum + snap adjustment

tune the snare drum (both osc)

tune cowbell (also have a slight effect on the hats, makes them more metallic)

adjust white noise level for both snare and clap (all the way to distortion)

adjust snare and clap decay (for in yo face)

it took me like 2 days and ive never soldered before..ofcourse it scared the
shit out of me but its the BOMB..
does it have midi? OH yes baby..

btw the hole explanation on how to do it is somewhere in analog-heaven (if it still exist) search for plutonique 9 + tr-808 modifications (or sum shit like that)

[panther]

Originally Posted by GoJiRa 3000

if ya got the guts to do what I did buy an original tr-808 and modify the shit out of it..

heres what mine can do..

infinite decay and tune on kick drum + snap adjustment

tune the snare drum (both osc)

tune cowbell (also have a slight effect on the hats, makes them more metallic)

adjust white noise level for both snare and clap (all the way to distortion)

adjust snare and clap decay (for in yo face)

it took me like 2 days and ive never soldered before..ofcourse it scared the
shit out of me but its the BOMB..
does it have midi? OH yes baby..

btw the hole explanation on how to do it is somewhere in analog-heaven (if it still exist) search for plutonique 9 + tr-808 modifications (or sum shit like that)

Post a JPG or ****..


Seriously, I'd love to have a look at it..

[jkamata]

O--and some other mods u can do is to make the toms into tunable kick drums, and stick a cleaner opamp in there somewhere...mm and make a filter input to the hihats..

would very much like to do the tom operation but thats a really scary operation so
I friggn dont dare to do it!!

[jkamata]

Originally Posted by panther

Post a JPG or ****..


Seriously, I'd love to have a look at it..

ok gimme a minute

[panther]

Originally Posted by gb-jazz

I want to get some software for 808 kicks and Claps. I would prefer software/hardware that I will let me pitch the kicks, toms, and claps, up or down along with the melody. Can you guys suggest some solutions?

I am pretty minimal with gear but I strongly recommend buying an 808. The thing is that since it is analogue, when sampled no sample sounds the same, so if you own one you have endless source material and the ability to effect the sounds on the way in.

I am sure that great tunes can be made with commercial samples. I still recommend having custom samples and your own sound

[jkamata]

aight! the box on top of the Jomox and Warp factory is the box holding the pots. Out its ass is on the left one of these flat multi cable (u cant see it) connected to the 808 and haha beside the screen u can see the danglin pot that controls the snappiness of the kick (from flat to really tight) The reason it just hangs there is cuz plutonique 9 (a mod freak on the analog-heaven forum) posted the mod later..and ive been too lazy to put it in the potbox..
It looks kinda rowdy but it worx just fine..

[jkamata]

ok here is the post from plutonique 9 (what a freak!!)

just go down to your local electroncs shop, buy the prts listed, learn how to solder and cut traces, follow the instructions and by God dont have shaky hangovers when u do this thing

Hey, I'd like to cover some of the mods I have done to my 808.
Some of these I figured out myself, others were based upon the=
online
"The Mix" 606 modifications by Geoff Waterston.
Before you begin working on the 808 I "strongly" suggest that you=

download and print out the 808 schematics on music machines, as=
well
as Geoff Waterstons 606 mod article.

Tr-808 Schematics

http://machines.hyperreal.org/manufacturers/Roland/TR-808/BR>
Geoff Waterstons 606 mod article (part 2 is what where interested=
in)

http://machines.hyperreal.org/manufacturers/Roland/TR-606/info/dr=BR> umant

ix/mods/themix.html

* you may need to copy and paste the above address into your=
browser
if it doesn't work as a direct link.

Hmmm....where to begin...
Well first off, I have so far added 11 modifications to my=
808...
BD extended decay, BD Tune, White Noise Level, Hand Clap=
"offset",
Cowbell tuning (both Oscillators), Snare "snappy" decay time,=
Snare
"snappy" filter and Snare drum tuning (both Oscillators), oh yeah=
and
Ext. Audio input for the Cymbals and Hi hats.

The first two of these mods can be found at music machines, the=
rest
I'll try to cover now.

All of these mods i am building straight in to the 808, no=
external
boxes, but thats up to your preference.
I'm mounting them onto the 2 "black plastic" sides of the 808,=
these
can easily be detached from the 808 for ease of drilling and=
such.
There is enough space to fit 3 "16mm" potentiometers at the top=
of
each of these "sides", however, I've had to use horizontal=
trimmer
pots to fit enough modifications into the 808 itself. I drilled
spaced holes along the
top of the "black plastic" sides and glued trimpots on the inside=

underneath the holes, this may seem clumsy, but it works well=
(and
looks smooth). I basically bent over the trimpots legs, applied
contact adhesive on both the trimpots legs (the points which i=
bent
over) and the inside surface of where i was going to mount them,=
and
stuck em' together

How you interface these controls is up to you, so I'll only cover=
the
modification details.

Before you begin you should have at least a low wattage soldering=

iron (grounded preferably), some "fine" rosin core solder, and
de-soldering braid (or wick). You need to remove resistors,=
trimpots,
and capacitors, so de-soldering wick is essential to remove=
"cleanly
and safely" the solder holding these parts in. A continuance=
meter is
helpful as well for checking circuit traces.

Robin Whittle has also documented the correct procedures for=
opening
up the 808 on music machines under the title "808 disassembly and=

memory stability mod"

Seat belts on?
-----------------------------------------------------------------=
----

Hand Clap "Offset"::

This adds a nice control of the claps, a one knob handclap
synthesizer, you can get sounds anywhere between deep reverb=
claps to
white noise burst (lots of nice setting in between).

looking at the 808 schematics there is a trimpot marked "C.P=
OFFSET".
Inside the 808 this trimpot will be labeled as "TM3". This needs=
to
be
removed and replaced by a 10 k potentiometer, it should seem=
evident
which wires connect to which legs of the pot.
-----------------------------------------------------------------=
----

White Noise level ::

Interesting mod which affect all the 808 sounds which use noise=
as an
element, nice control for snare. Turning down the control also
influences the snare white noise decay.

808 schematics again, there is a trimpot labeled " W.N Level=
130mv
r.m.s". Inside the 808 this trimpot will be labeled "TM4".
Remove this trimpot and replace it with a 22k Pot. I found a 25 k=

works as well.
-----------------------------------------------------------------=
----

Cowbell Tuning "both oscillators" ::

Ahh...the 808 cowbell, Its nice to tune them to
unison or harmonique chords. These tunings will also affect the=
tone
of the Cymbals and Hi hats as both of these a mixed with another=
4
square oscillators as the tone source for these, don't worry=
though,
the Cymbals and Hats still retain there charm after this mod,=
they've
just got a new element to them as well, good thing/bad thing, its=
up
to ya.

808 schematics, there are to trimpots labeled "COWBELL FREQ. 1
1.85ms" and "COWBELL FREQ. 2 1.25ms". Inside the 808 these=
trimpots
will be labeled TM1 and TM2 respectively. These will be on the=
right
hand side of the 808 board. I say this because inside my 808=
there
are an additional 2 trimpot labeled TM1 and TM2 in the 808 close=
to
the tempo knob, I'd assume these have something to do with the=
INT
clock and tempo adjustment, in other words, you probably don't=
want
to phuck with these.

So remove these 2 trimpot (the right ones) and replace them with=
two
"1meg" pots. Originally these two trimpots are only 220k,=
replacing
them with a 1 meg pot allows for a far greater tuning=
range....the
more the resistance the lower the tuning, you could even add a=
larger
pot if you want the pitch going even lower, but this value was=
enough
for me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------=
----

External audio input into the Cymbals and hats ::

This mod involves using a "normally closed" jack to disconnect=
the
original Cymbals and hats tone source (6 square waves formed by
HD14584
IC) and inject your own tonal poison. I found nice results=
pumping
white noise into it and synthesizer oscillators, but really, your=

imagination is the only limit, a radio comes to mind (good for a=

noise source as well). BTW, the way this jack is setup, when=
nothing
is inserted into the jack, the 808 uses its original tone source=
for
the Cymbals and high hats.

Looking at the 808 schemz, you should spot an IC labeled=
"HD14584".
All 6 square waves from this IC are mixed together via 120k
resistors. This mixed Audio source then gets sent to capacitors=
"C11"
and "C12". What you will need to do is to cut the trace on the
circuit board leading to these 2 capacitors (you should only need=
1
trace cut leading to both these points). You should solder a wire=

from the "tip" connection of your "normally closed" jack to=
either
"C11" or "C12" (the point from which you have cut the trace=
leading
to!). The "ground" connection of your "audio input" jack should=
be
connected to a ground point inside the 808 (try the ground of the=

direct outputs or the "-" of the battery connection (the black
wire)). There should be one more connection to the "Audio Input"=

jack, which restores the original circuit trace when nothing is
plugged into the jack. You should solder this connection from the=

"Audio input" jack to a suitable point on the other side of the
circuit trace which you have cut, for example, R35, R37, R39,
R46.....etc. etc. etc., basically any point where all these=
resistors
meet.

-----------------------------------------------------------------=
----

The next four modifications are based upon "The Mix" article on
modifying the 606, namely the snare modifications. The 606 snare=
is
quite similar to the 808 snare, though the 808 snare goes a=
little
further circuitry wise. I compared the schematics for the 808=
snare
with that of the 606's, and was able to determine how to adapt=
the
606 snare mods with the 808's.
-----------------------------------------------------------------=
-----


Snare drum tuning (both oscillators)::

The 808 snare, unlike the 606, has two drum tone oscillators. The=

pitch of these are controlled by "R197" and "R198". The "tone"
control in the 808 snare section is actually just a cross fader
between these two drum oscillators.

Check out the Snare Drum Pitch Mod in "part 2" of the 606
modification article (diagram 3).
It involves removing "R112" in the 606 and replacing it with a 1=
meg
pot and a 470 k resistor.

In the 808, you will need to add this modification for each of=
the
two drum oscillators.

Instead of removing "R112" (as done for the 606 snare pitch mod)=
you
will need to remove "R197" and "R198" inside the 808, and replace=

each with a 1 meg pot and 470k resistor, as they show in Diagram=
3.
-----------------------------------------------------------------=
----

Snare drum "Snappy" filter ::

Sweet modification, manual filter control of the white noise in=
the
808 snare, great for deeper snares. Inside the 808, this is set=
by
"R201".

Check out the Snare Noise Filter mod in "part" 2 of the 606
modification article (Diagram 4).
It involves removing a resistor (R153), and replacing it with a=
100k
pot and a 390 ohm resistor.

Adapting this modification for the 808, you will need to remove
"R201" and replace it with a 100k pot and 390 ohm resistor as=
shown
in Diagram 4.
-----------------------------------------------------------------=
----

Snare drum "Snappy" decay control::

Another smooth 808 snare mod. If you have done the "white noise"=

level mod, you will probably notice that it will have an=
influence
over the snare decay as well.

Looking at the Snare decay mod in the 606 mod article (diagram=
5), it
involves removing a capacitor "C35" and replacing it with a 100k=
pot,
5.6k resistor and 2.2uf Capacitor.

Adapting this to the 808 snare, you will need to remove "C51",=
and
replace it with a 100k pot, 5.6k resistor and 2.2uf capacitor as=
is
shown in Diagram 5.
-----------------------------------------------------------------=
----

Well, thats it 4 now. I hope these can help 808 users to expand=
the
sonique pallette of sounds grooving out of the 808, personally i=
love
modifying machines, others are a lil' more grim on the matter,
understandably because there is a risk in damaging the machine=
while
performing mods, static discharge and such, so protect yourself=
and
your machine when performing these here mods. UNPLUG THE UNIT=
FROM
THE WALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seeya groovers!



-- Plutonique9, Plutonique9@symbiocom.com on 01/12/2001

and...

Well.....been a whiles since I've written up a phat mod for the 808, so here
she is;

This is a simple modification to do, yet has a drastic impact over the Bass
Drum's character. Simply put, it adjusts the "depth" of the envelope which
initially sweeps the pitch of the Bass Drum oscillator. It is this envelope
which gives the Bass Drum it's initial "crack". It is also a crutial
modification if you've already perfromed the Bass Drum Tune modification
Robin Whittle describes on Music Machines. This is because as you tune the
808 bass drum up, you are losing the range of this envelope pitch sweep,
this is more evident if you check out the schematics, but it causes the Bass
Drum to lose it's punch as you tune up. So, for harder bass drums, this is
where it's at.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What you will need;

:: 10k "Audio" pot (15mm or smaller if mounting in the 808's side panel).
:: 2.2k resistor
:: Two-conducter insulated wire
:: Standard mod tools (Solder iron, desoldering braid, drill, continuance
meter, ect.)
:: A printed copy of the 808 schematics found at Music Machines;
http://machines.hyperreal.org/manufacturers/Roland/TR-808/schematics/BR> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Open up your 808 following the instructions at Music Machines (RW);
http://machines.hyperreal.org/manufacturers/Roland/TR-808/mods/808.disassembBR> ly.and.memory.stability.mod.txt

-Locate on the board Resistor "R166" (6.8k). Desolder this resistor fom the
board & remove.
*Note- you will have to completley remove the 808 board in order to remove
the resistor from the board. You can cut traces if you'd like to save time,
but it's better to avoid this.

-Where you removed Resistor "R166", replace with your "10k Pot" with a 2.2k
resistor in series.
*Note- The 2.2k resistor limits the Max depth of the envelope sweep.

-Mount the pot where you have space, I've found the side panels are great
for small pots.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thats it folks, easy as pie....but don't go stickin' your hand in the oven
if you don't know how to bake a pie, if ya know what i mean. Always have
patience and extreme care when performing any mod, do it right the first
time.

Seeya

p9

Mp3.com/Plutonique9


and...

I took a brute approach to Modifying the Toms for extended tuning range. I
basically removed the 3 "500ohm" potentiometers currentley used for
Tom/Conga tuning, and replaced them with "2.5k" potentiometers. Now, I don't
think it's possible to track down the "original" style pots used on the 808,
so any generic pots will do. The new pots should have a shaft thin enough so
that the new pots can be mounted to the metal case of the 808(in the holes
left by removing the pots). You'll have to solder 2 wires from the new 2.5k
pots to the points in which the original 500ohm pots were soldered into the
circuit board. (detailed info on this exactly is below)

Now, removing the pots are a real ****, you'll for sure need the following
before attempting the operation;

-40watt soldering iron (or higher)
-Delsoldering tool (for removing the bulk of the solder)
-Delsodering Braid (for removing remaining solder)

Take a look at the 808 schematics (which shows the Toms/Conga schematics)

Check out "VR11" "VR13" & "VR15", these are the tom/conga tune pots.

After you remove the original pots, You'll need to solder points "1" & "2"
(of VR11, VR13 & VR15) to the corresponding legs of your new "2.5k"
potentiometers with some insulated wire.
*Note, make your wire lengths long enough (but not too long) to give you
ample "slack" (between where the pots are mounted to the 808 case and the
circuit board inside the 808).

Now again in regards to "VR11, VR13 & VR15". Check out the points labled
"1". These connect to one side of your "dual-diode" pitch envelopes ("D80
&D81, "D82&D83", "D84& D85". Originaly, these diodes have a 500ohm
connection to ground (provided by the original tune pots). Because you are
increasing the pot values, this meathod can no longer be used.
Instead, solder a 500ohm resistor between "Point 1" of "VR11, VR13 & VR15
(on the cicuit board)" and "ground". This will restore the pitch sweep to
it's original depth.
*If you're extra keen, you could substitute "2.5k" potentiometers instead of
using 500ohm resistors, this would give you a useful depth control for the
pitch sweep effect on the Toms/Conga. I'll eave it up to those curious to
work out the finer details of taking this extra step, but I'd imagine it
would give an interesting touch to the sound of the toms/congas (enabling
more space tom sought of sounds).

After doing this mod, you'll be able to tune each of the toms/congas over
1.5 octaves, nice to finally get some chromatic interaction between the
instruments, Ie. tuning to three congas to a nice chromatic chord.

This mod requires some patience & skill to accomplish, you should be
comfortable in modifications and basic electronics before thinkin' of doing
this to your 808's.

Maybe some people think this will "clash" with the mint cool look of your
808's, well know that i'm more about fuctionality than keepin' my
instruments mint. If you do this well, and add some nice big fat classy knob
for your potentiometers, I'm sure you'll agree it will look "fly".

Enjoy

P9

phew..so now theres no excuse..go wreck your 808

[jkamata]

ok heres a real quick audio example of the mods (sounds are unprocesed! be aware of cracks and over extensive noise when I turn the pots!!)

bass drum tune snap and decay

snare drum tune (sounds NASTY when i turn them)

then decay and white noise volume (goes up to distortion)

clap (it crax like a mfka)

then i tune the cowbell, u cant hear it tho cuz i havnt plugged its output in, but u can hear a slight tuning of the hats..

http://www.listic.dk/p.hilla/808mods.mp3

[PhonoquO]

i loled when i heard that dayum clap crackin!!! Make some samples unprocessed, and we can all benefit from your extensive mod work!

[gsilbers]

Originally Posted by gb-jazz

I've seen Microtonic (utonic), does it have 808 presets? Or is it pretty easy to make them myself from scratch?

both.

and the user area has tons of presets you can download and tweek. the sound is rally solid and inyour face real. its tunable.

you can also automate any parameter to make some cool stuff. like breaks chainging pitch, snares making melodies.

and its really inexpensicve for all the stuff u can do with it.
after you created or tweeked the sound u can export it to use with your akai/battery.

also has pattern seq.

not a rep.
just use it a lot for electro house, and hiphop 2step cause i can tweek it that way.

[jkamata]

Originally Posted by gsilbers

both.

and the user area has tons of presets you can download and tweek. the sound is rally solid and inyour face real. its tunable.

you can also automate any parameter to make some cool stuff. like breaks chainging pitch, snares making melodies.

and its really inexpensicve for all the stuff u can do with it.
after you created or tweeked the sound u can export it to use with your akai/battery.

also has pattern seq.

not a rep.
just use it a lot for electro house, and hiphop 2step cause i can tweek it that way.

i wont diss the ToniQ cuz it has it uses, but fukn eh.. it will friggin never ever sound
like a genuine Roland Tr-808..its like comparing Spice Girls with the Amen break..
its PLASTIC..PALASSSHHHTIC ..just like the machinedrum or any other digital based drum machine..the **** cant u guys tell the mfkn diffrence!!????

[gb-jazz]

Originally Posted by GoJiRa 3000

i wont diss the ToniQ cuz it has it uses, but fukn eh.. it will friggin never ever sound
like a genuine Roland Tr-808..its like comparing Spice Girls with the Amen break..
its PLASTIC..PALASSSHHHTIC ..just like the machinedrum or any other digital based drum machine..the **** cant u guys tell the mfkn diffrence!!????

honestly I used to have an 808 and I sold it cos i didn't like sequencing with it and it took up to much space. The Machine Drum is much more useful and sounds pretty damn good plus its about 1/3rd the size. I like grand pianos as much as the next guy but I need my living room.