An untreated low-end will also cause your mix to lose punch, presence, and level. A buildup of low frequencies causes clarity issues, phasing problems, and headroom loss. The biggest issue with layering the kick and 808 bass is that they both dominate the same frequency ranges. Moreover, getting the kick and 808 bass to sit right in the mix can be challenging. However, careful attention to the kick and 808 bass relationship is crucial. Layering a punchy top kick sample over your 808 will help it cut through the mix. The fifth separates the two elements while allowing them to play in harmony. This method is useful when the kick and 808 fight to occupy the same frequency range. Tuning the 808 to a fifth (+7 semitones) above the fundamental note is another effective technique. This mixing guide looks at five effective methods used to tune drums. Read: How to Perfectly Tune Drums in Ableton Live.
A tuned 808 also harmonizes with the kick, bass, chords, and other melodic parts. Tuning the 808 to the key of your song will help it sit better in the mix. When choosing an 808, think about its relation to the key of your song. Tune 808’sĨ08’s are tonal and have defined pitches that correspond to notes on the musical scale. Composing a track around a weak or insufficient 808 will cause problems later on. There are also dedicated 808 instrument plugins such as KICK 2, New Era 808, BazzISM, BD-808, and many others.Įither way, it’s essential you choose or create the best 808 sound to use as a starting point. It offers several features to shape and modulate unique sounding 808’s. Xfer Serum is an excellent choice for synthesizing 808’s.
The foundation of an 808 is a sine wave with a fast attack envelope assigned to the pitch. You also have the option to synthesis 808 sounds. Numerous sample packs offer a variety of 808 sounds to accommodate any genre. It will be easier to process and shape them to fit with other elements in the mix. Look for clean and punchy samples that have a consistent body. 90% of what makes an excellent sounding 808 is selecting the best sample. 808 Sample SelectionĬhoosing a quality 808 sample that works with your song is crucial. These mixing tips will help get your 808 bass sounding fat, powerful, and punchy on all speaker systems. It competes with the kick and bass, causes various mix problems, and even disappears on small speakers. Getting an 808 to cut through a mix is difficult. The renowned 808 kick drum is a staple in hip hop, techno, trap, pop, and other modern music productions. The TR-808 is most famous for its big, booming bass drum. The 808 has even inspired a tribute celebration day around the world on August 8th (8/08). Its iconic drum sounds have transcended musical styles, defined genres, and attracted a global fan following. How The Roland TR-808 Revolutionized Musicįew instruments have influenced music and music culture like Roland’s legendary TR-808 drum machine.