TR-808 Drum Machine
Before digital there was analog and it seems strange that one of the most musically successful pieces of technology amidst our current high resolution digital world we live in turns out to be in the analog realm. Yet the TR 808 drum machine or rhythm composer as such indicated had a relatively short production life. Released in 1980 the TR 808 production lasted only 3 years ending in 1983 and only 12,000 units were made.In the 1980's drum machines were certainly a new device for musicians to play with but the concept of replacing your drummer with a machine in the studio or in performance seemed a novelty for most. Could it really be done or would these new machine musicians be too mechanical sounding in a musical setting. In any case the TR 808 offered an impressive collection of sounds for it's day, 16 instruments including snare, sock cymbals open and closed, three toms, hand claps, high, medium and and low conga drums, rimshot, claves, cowbell, maraca, cymbal and last but not least that booming bass drum sound.The original sticker price for all this was $1,195.00. Depending on you financial perspective it was affordable but the reality for most musicians it was out of reach.
Another factor in its short production life (other than technical problems in producing more units), was that it existed in a time where power toms and "fat" snare drums were the norm. Rap music was still in its infancy back then and New Wave and pop rock bands ruled.
Still some rhythm and blues artists of the day found the 808 useful and as rap evolved its popularity followed suit. Slowly but surely it was and still is extremely popular and has been used beyond compare in too many recording to account for.
So why did the 808 become so popular? Most analog drums renderings tended to sound puny and mostly a variation of white noise, muted square/sine wave tones and clicks. The TR 808 somehow managed to surpass those limitations. Drum sounds are tight, it's iconic sub- bass drum sound musicians love and the reality that the machine did sound musical. It inspired musician's imaginations and served up a new palate of sounds new to it"s awaiting audiences.
The future of the 808 still seems bright. While the physical electronic component life of the 808 is limited, it's sound will no doubt be still part of an ever changing musical world and as of today is as popular as ever.
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