The Legacy of the 808

Honoring the Unforgettable Beat: The 808 Legacy and Our Pioneering Approach to Sampling

It's impossible to talk about modern music without mentioning the game-changing Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer. Introduced in the early 1980s, the 808's sound continues to resonate across genres and generations.

But what's so extraordinary about the 808, and why have we made a commitment to ultra-deep sample it?

Join us! Let's explore the journey together.

A Rhythmic (R)evolution

The 808 was a groundbreaking invention by Ikutaro Kakehashi and Don Lewis, bringing the world programmable drumming that could replicate real drum kits. It not only gave birth to new musical creativity but also shaped the DNA of hip-hop and electronic music.

Its rich and unique analog sounds, especially the deep bass kicks, quickly embedded themselves into the fabric of modern music. From Afrika Bambaataa's pioneering “Planet Rock” to Kanye West's iconic '808s & Heartbreak' album, the 808 has become a symbol of innovation and a heartbeat of creativity. One of our dear friend, Man Parrish, was also one of the first to push the 808 to mainstream acceptance with his top-charting "Hip Hop, Be Bop" (1982).

However, the 808 is entirely an analog drum machine despite the numerous attempts at emulating it. The 808 still stands as the single most used electric analog instrument in the history of music. 

So, we decided to take a completely new approach to sampling through a method we call UDS (Ultra Deep-Sampling).

Tools for a New Generation

As a company that has dedicated more than a dozen years to creating tools that enable artists to unlock their musical potential, we knew we had something special with the invention of our new Soundpaint™ Engine Platform, we quickly turned our attention to the 808. We were mesmerized by its sound, and we were determined to preserve its legacy.

Through extensive work, we've Ultra-Deep Sampled™ (UDS) the 808, recording every nuance and detail with painstaking precision. This wasn't just about emulating a classic instrument; this was about capturing its very soul. 

The Orange 808 UDS

We purchased one of the finest original 808s in existence. All pots cleaned. It was Ultra Deep-Sampled™ both with master and discrete outputs. The clap sound alone was sampled over 1.000 times to offer you an unparalleled experience.

This is not 99% like the real deal. This is the real deal!  

Our analog drum collection features both the Ultra Deep Sampled Orange 808 and Orange 909 Rhythm Composers and their predecessor, the CR-78.

Soundpaint Orange 808 (Ultra Deep-Sampled)

Soundpaint's Orange (Ultra Deep-Sampled) 

If you're looking to mix, match, and morph 808s to craft the perfect impact, we suggest you take a look at the latest drum machine bundle from Soundpaint™.