About

The Recording Process

The TR-808 is entirely analog and its said that every 808
sounds a bit different than the next. We’ve had access to six
808s and can confirm this is certainly true. The tuning of
every voice, but most noticeably the kick, the internal
distortion / headroom and general character definitely varies
extensively from unit to unit. For this project, we sampled two
of our favorite sounding 808s (this pack includes many hits
from our older 808 sampling efforts).

With the majority of hits being recorded to tape, we

extensively multi-sampled different voice parameters,
capturing clean hits, saturated hits, tuning where necessary
and even extensively re-pitching the hits on tape to give you
many different tunings the original 808 never offered (the
only 808 samples to feature this).

Full disclosure: this sample pack sounds like a real 808 - if

you're looking for trap "808" kickdrums you won't find them
here, as those are not really 808s, but layered drums and
sine waves.
The Bass Drum

• Clean Bass Drums: multi-sampled one hits of (2) different

808 Bass Drums recorded digitally
• Processed Bass Drums: compressed (Distressor, SSL),
filtered, saturated. Recorded digitally and to tape
• Tuned Bass Drums: 2 different 808 Bass Drums recorded
through the classic SP1200 sampler and multi-sampled
at different pitch settings
• Tape Tuned Bass Drums: 6 different groups of Bass Drums
recorded to tape, played back at different tape speeds,
tuned, and sent through additional filtering and
processing.

The Snare Drum

• Clean: Methodically multi-sampled in groups at different

settings, recorded digitally through API preamp
• Tape: Accent and No Accent, multi-sampled in groups at
different settings, recorded through API preamp to tape
with no additional processing
• Saturated: 2 groups of saturated multi-sampled snares,
processed with an old Mackie 1202 in parallel, and high
end saturators such as the Overstayer Saturator, Culture
Vulture, Moog LP Filter, SSL compression and gate, and
more
• Re-Pitched: Snare drums recorded to tape and played back
from 7.5 - 40 ips on the tape machine, capturing lower
and higher pitches. Recorded in octaves, 4ths, and
additional various tunings.

Toms and Congas

• All Toms & Congas have been tuned to exact notes and
sampled chromatically
• Clean: recorded digitally through API preamp
• Tape: Recorded to tape through API preamp
• Re-Pitched Congas: Re-pitched and tuned
• Saturated Toms: Recorded through Culture Vulture for more
attitude
Hi Hats, Clap, Rim, Clave, Cymbal, Cowbell, Maracas

• Tape: Cleanly recorded for maximum punch and flexibility;

various degrees of saturation for more color and
loudness
• Re-Pitched: Extensive, analog re-pitching on tape which
sounds incredible and means less digital tuning in your
DAW
• Recorded in octaves, 4ths, and various tunings

Gear Used:
• (2) TR 808
• SSL 4000 G+ Console
• API & Neve Preamps
• Otari MTR-12 Reel to Reel
• Apogee Rosetta 800 Converter
• Emu SP-1200 Sampler
• Mutronics Mutator
• Empirical Labs Distressor
• Thermionic Culture Vulture
• Overstayer Saturator
• Focusrite ISA430
• Mackie 1202
• Moog Ladder Filter
• And more…