Mastering the iconic electronic kick sound from the TR-808 bass drum: Attaining Perfection
===============================================================================
The Roland TR-808, a legendary drum machine celebrating its 45th anniversary, is renowned for its most recognizable electronic kick sound - the TR-808 bass drum. This iconic sound, a staple in modern music production, is synthesized rather than sampled, setting it apart from drum machines of the time.
Analog Synthesis of the TR-808 Kick
The TR-808 bass drum is generated by a resonating circuit, a combination of an analog oscillator and a decay envelope that creates a long, sub-bass tone resembling a deep kick drum. Producers can manipulate this circuit to lengthen the decay time, transforming the kick drum into a bass instrument, known for its iconic "boom" and subby character.
The use of analog components in the TR-808 gives it a distinctive, often described as "fat" and "boomy," tone, marking a departure from the sampled drum machines of the era. This unique sound can be tuned and pitched, making it versatile for use as a musical bassline, particularly in hip-hop and electronic music.
Manipulating the TR-808 Kick
To shape the amplitude of an 808 kick, using a sampler that allows volume envelope adjustment is often preferable to a basic sampler. Light distortion, gentle compression, and mid/side boosting can be employed to add midrange presence while ensuring the lowest elements remain clean and mono.
To prevent clashes with an 808 kick, avoid having other bass heavy elements play at the same time or roll off unnecessary low-end frequencies from them. When combining an 808 kick bassline with another kick, EQing to cut some content at the frequency where the other kick is hitting can help prevent low-frequency clashes.
To make an 808 kick more defined as a 'bass' element compared to a more percussive kick, increasing the attack in the sampler can help reduce its punchiness. On the other hand, using a punchier kick focused around 80-100Hz can provide the front-end punch and sidechain the 808 layer against it.
Ensuring Translation Across Speaker Systems
To avoid issues with translation between different speaker systems, it's best to use a high-pass filter or shelving EQ to cut frequencies below 25Hz from an 808 kick. It's important to check the mix on smaller systems to ensure sufficient harmonic presence.
Sidechaining and Compression
Using a compressor with the main kick as a sidechain input can help the 808 kick be ducked out of the way of the kick's attack without being too obviously squashed. Gentle saturation can exaggerate an 808 kick's low mid harmonics, adding warmth and character to the sound.
A Variety of Sources
It's worth having a variety of source sounds for the 808 kick, including modern emulations and custom kicks, to find the perfect fit for your production. Always tune an 808 kick sample to the key of your track.
In conclusion, the TR-808's bass drum sound is synthesized by an analog resonant circuit designed to produce a pitched, long-decay, sub-bass "kick" that can be tuned and manipulated, making it an iconic and foundational sound in modern music production.
Gadgets like the Roland TR-808, with its iconic bass drum sound, have transformed the landscape of technology and entertainment, particularly in music production. By manipulating the resonating circuit of the TR-808's analog oscillator, producers can tailor the "boom" and subby character of the kick drum into a versatile musical bassline, adding depth to various genres, such as hip-hop and electronic music.
