eli5 – In music, what is an 808?
In: 9
The Roland TR-808 was a drum machine used in a lot of early hip-hop tracks. The kick makes a distinctive bass sound that became popular to sample for use as a bass instrument under another kick drum. Today, people use 808 to mean either an actual kick drum sample from an 808 or something that produces a similar subbass.
It’s a sample from (or sounding like) the Roland TR-808, a 1980s era drum machine. Its sound is popular in hip-hop music.
An 808 is a type of synthesizer used to create deep bass sounds commonly heard in hip-hop and electronic music.
It’s a very old computer that pretends to be a drum set. It wasn’t very good at replacing actual drums but it was very good for creating new music, mainly Hip Hop and House.
Just to add to what everybody else is saying: [This is what it sounds like](https://youtu.be/KC7UaUD5rEA?feature=shared&t=265).
Well, everybody gettin’ down, make no mistake
Nothing sounds quite like an 8-0-8
Money-makin’, money-money-makin’
Super disco, disco breakin’
Beatsie Boys – Super Disco Breakin’ is the only reason I actually knew what an 808 was.
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