The Roland TR-808 is one of the most revered and sought-after electronic musical instruments of all time-and its influence only continues to grow. Its influence is so deep that it’s been name-dropped in famous tracks, had albums dedicated to it, bands named after it, and is even the subject of a feature-length documentary film. For decades since, the sizzling hi-hats and snappy snare, the clicky rim shot, the unmistakable cowbell, and yes-that booming bass drum-have been heard on worldwide hits and underground classics. It wasn’t until after a few adventurous musicians and producers got their hands on the TR-808 and started tweaking those knobs that the world would feel the impact it would leave on music forever.
To many at the time, its tweakable analog tones didn’t exactly deliver “traditional” or 'realistic' drum sounds.
In 1980, the Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer was released to an unsuspecting and somewhat bewildered public.
