Why I bought the most famous drum machine of all time

Like most people, I've always wanted to own an original Roland TR-808 but it's always been the wrong price or the wrong time or both. Earlier this year my time finally came.

I wanted to make a video showing why it's still a very relevant and useful instrument in a modern studio and that it's not just purely about nostalgia, whilst that obviously plays a part!

0:00 Intro Jam
1:38 Individal Outs & FX
5:14 Trigger Outs and Synths
9:16 Sampling and Synching
12:52 Boutique Comparison
14:39 Sample Pack
15:15 Summary and Outro Jam

Sample pack, stems and music from the video:

[elektrikblu]

Bringing new meaning to "Four on the floor"🤣

[toi_techno]

I find it hilarious that some Japanese wizard tried to make a drum machine to accompany slightly embarrassing uncles on their home organs and people playing crap covers in izakayas but inadvertently made a perfect techno/electro machine

[GloveBunniesVideos]

It couldn't have gone to a better home. Great job!

[v]

Also, I like how you are caressing it lovingly in your arms when you're intro'ing a section of the video on the mic

[BigMuff]

As a Roland user since 1987, this gave me lots of nostalgic feels. Tweaking effects off individual outs all night and all day getting one of a kind sounds was the most fun ever. I real appreciate that you gave the boutique it’s due respect. It actually is quite amazing how great it is. I had the TR-8 and TR-6. Which ended up being my two favorite drum machines I’ve ever owned. I ended up selling them and getting the TR-8s which does all the sounds and is a monster but it hasn’t yet charmed me like the TR-8 and TR-6 did.

[daniel_dumile]

goldbaby has the best collection of 808, 909, and DMX sample packs. They got raw and processed in every way, through MPC 60s, SP1200s, written to vinyl then recorded, reel to reel, through every sort of sampler, etc. Love that company.

[OTOss]

I mean, it's in the title. The most famous drum machine of all time. Awesome stuff!

[Mouxbar]

And Alex was just dying to get a bit of Marvin in LOL 🤣

[mbessey]

The comparison with the Boutique 13:33 really had me going for a bit.

[macronencer]

Legendary! If your videos fell through a time warp back to the 1980s they'd be such a great advert for Roland.

[crapadopalese]

You're one of possibly 8 Youtubers I admire musically.

[PocketUnv]

Your knowledge of buttons and knobs never cease to amaze me.

[NedBouhalassaVideos]

And this, my friends, is why Alex is the GOAT!

[adwarfsittingonagiantsshoulder]

WOAUWW !! You where really overflowing with inspiration on this video !

[justjoeblow]

I can't afford the real deal right now, so I "settled" for a TR8S I got for cheap second hand and been having a blast since I got the machine. Discovered the real joy of using a TR style sequencer to actually perform on and not just sequence. I'd like to get some of the originals from the TR line when I have the opportunity as I used them in the form of samples and my TR8S all the time. This video gives me some ideas to try with my drum machine.

[alexandermccarthy]

I could hear so many different snippets of 80s/90s tracks in the opening intro.

Another brilliant video, and congratulations on finding a piece of music production history!!

[GNeuman]

Great demo, Alex. You really show what this machine can do, using the individual outs going into separate efx is brilliant, changes the sound of the 808 out of all recognition.

Happy for you that you got such a mint unit!


Cheers

Mike

[hdsubstance]

Got mine in 1991, with a flycase, manual and plastic overlay from the equivalent of todays 100€, still here, still working flawlessly. Great video as always.

[YotamPiano]

With such awesome tracks you made Alex, I can't even begin to imagine what would Geert van Schlanger do with his 808.

[EphemeralProductions]

The most iconic and used of the 1980s. ❤️❤️. With the linndrum right behind. Love them both! ❤️