808 Day: The 'New York' Roland TR-808

Pioneer New York City hip-hop producer, Larry Smith, joined Arthur Baker and Rick Rubin as a champion of the 808 sound. His personal Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer quickly earned a reputation as having THAT sound and become the rhythmic signature on iconic albums and tracks from Run DMC, Beastie Boys and Whodini.

This story follows this 'New York' TR-808 as it passed hands from the late Larry Smith to his son and producer, Larry Smith Jr, and Rashad Smith for this iconic 808 sound to continue on in modern productions. The TR-808 travels to Los Angeles and 1500 Sound Academy and introduced to the future generation of producers and beatmakers who hear an original TR-808 for the first time.

Each year, on August 8, we celebrate 808 Day and join the global community in the celebration of the music and culture that grew from the love for the Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer. Join the celebration by tagging your stories with #808day and experience other stories from around the world.

#roland #tr808 #808 #808day

[midiresurrectedagain]

IMO RICK RUBEN PUT THE TR 808 ON THE MAP!!!
I Recall Many European Artists Being BLOWN Away Because In Essence RICK Used The DRUM Like No OTHER Had Ever DONE..
BUT, Once Them Down South Boys Got Hold Of It, ITS BEEN A WRAP Every Since..
Good POST!!!! #BLESS

[cozmikfunkrabbitt]

Oberheim DMX was THE drum machine used on Run Dmc's first two albums the 808 did show up on one song on the second

[facksvillain]

Its not the machine, it was the Producer!!!

[nbuehster]

808 Day, :August 8th??

There needs to be special holidays for producers/DJs.

[TsavosAlliance]

I wanted the TR-808 so bad that
I went out and bought the TR-8S,
the Flagship Drum Machine!

[maccagrabme]

I dont know why after all these years Roland still hasn't done proper remakes of their classics. Yes there is still a market after all these other clones as we want that Roland build and the exact same sound as the it has to be analog.

[AdamRobertshaw]

0:45 Roland G-707 Synth Guitar! Love mine, amazing guitar.

[djdigital]

I'm the 55 year old inventor of the current day CD DJ mixer with turntable control. The idea was stolen.

I was born in the Bronx. Believe the Bronx keeps creating it.

[nbuehster]

Happy 808 Day.

I just posted this a few minutes late. (8:11)

[Maria]

Meanwhile your using John Robies 808s in your video... amazing

[nbuehster]

Happy 808 Day.

I just posted this a minute late. (8:09)

[TheDrglas]

And the big question... that we have been asking for 30 years now... why don't make a reissue?

[SithVideo]

please just put the thing out again, for real.

[roymoxley]

If Roland wanted to build them today they would sell What is up, Roland

[Maria]

No John Robie? And you guys are talking about the 808? Pppffft

[Billkwando]

Talks about the 808 kick drum for like 5 minutes, plays the sound zero times.

[lqr]

"It really started out of New York." Said some moron about a drum machine conceived, engineered and constructed in Japan. Why so racist against Asians? Why not give credit where it's due?

[facksvillain]

Dont get emotional, they're just trying to sell!!!

[clarkflavor]

Make a new one! (No, I don't consider the plugin in a box TR08..)

[electronicgrinsch]

Cool you celebrate 808 day and Ulli brings out actually the real stuff. Still dont get it why you refused now for decades what your customers basically begged you for... But it's preaching against a wall. So will it be and in my case and in many others a real 808 but not with your brand sign