Once the tone of your 808 is in check, it’s time to work on the dynamics. But if you’re using a modified sample, you may be able to bring out a little color and character with a high shelf. On a pure 808 sample, there’s not much info in the high-end to work with. You may also need to make a small narrow cut in the lows to carve out some space for other instruments like the kick and bass. Then, reach for your favorite parametric EQ and make a gentle cut in the low-mids around 250 Hz to remove any mud. Boost the lows around the root frequency of the song, typically about 40 Hz or so. Start by making sure the low-end is bumping with a transparent, bass-enhancing EQ like BASSROOM. Now that you have your samples locked and loaded, it’s time to start applying some signal processing. Listen to the 808 and the kick both on their own and together and make sure you don’t lose any low-end when toggling between them. Just be careful not to cause any phase issues by introducing the new kick sample. You may even need to high-pass the kick sample to avoid muddying up the mix. Avoid kicks with a big, boomy bottom-end. Try to find a punchy sample with lots of attack that compliments your 808. The high-end snap of a kick drum will allow your ear to identify the low-end, helping it cut through the mix. For a punchier, tighter sound, try pairing your 808 with addition kick drum samples for added attack. Layer Multiple SamplesĨ08s are all about big, sustained bass. That way, instead of trying to smash an 808 into an existing mix, you can make it a focal point from the very start. Then, bring in all of the other instruments around it. Bring up the 808 so it’s at a reasonable level in your DAW (probably somewhere around -18 dBFS). Instead of dressing up an 808 with half-a-dozen signal processors, just try making it louder than the other instruments. Just make it loud in the context of the mix.Įspecially in hip hop, kick drums like the 808 tend to be the loudest instrument in a mix. One of the best ways to make your 808s bang is also one of the easiest. Some should end on a downbeat while others end on the backbeat. Some 808s should be short and others should be longer. Almost like it’s stumbling along.Īdjust your clips to make sure the 808 stops on the right beat. If a sample fades out too early or doesn’t fade out fast enough, it can make the song feel unbalanced. The length of an 808 sample has a huge impact on the production. Tweak the TimingĪfter locking in the proper tuning, make sure the timing of your 808 is just as tight. Alternatively, try to tune the 808 sample to a fifth (seven semitones) above the fundamental note of the key.Įither way, just make sure it harmonizes with the other instruments in the track. Ideally, you can tune it to the root note of the key, although that isn’t always possible.
After selecting your sample, tune the sample to suit the key of your song. Since an 808 is just a sine wave, it has a root frequency, which means it can be tuned. Sometimes a simple, unprocessed 808 sample works best because you can mold it and shape it into whatever you want. The fabled 808 kick drum sound is little more than a sine wave run through ADSR envelopes, which can be recreated on just about any synthesizer. And you don’t have to hunt down sample of a vintage 808 module recorded through high-quality analog components.Īlthough it was incredibly innovative at the time, the original 808 drum machine was actually a rather primitive device.
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That doesn’t mean it has to be a custom or signature series sample. There are literally thousands of samples to choose from. The Roland TR-808 drum machine is one of the most sampled instruments of all time. Choose the Right Sampleīefore you apply any signal processing, the most important part of mixing great-sounding 808s is starting with the right sample. That’s why we put together this simple step-by-step guide to mixing 808s that bang. Or they can sound boomy and muddy, making it difficult to hear the vocals.Ī great-sounding 808 is what separates the amateurs from the GOATs in hip hop. When mixed properly, 808s can make your song feel big and powerful.īut when mixed poorly, 808s can sound weak and thin, making your track sound lame. They pack a powerful punch with tons of low-end and plenty of sustain. The 808 kick drum sample is one of the most fundamental elements of modern hip hop.