Inception - The Birth of the Roland TR-808

A mini-doc exploring the history leading up to the inception of the one of the greatest drum machines created, the Roland TR-808

[@davewilk7165]

Man, I am so impressed with you!...as a synth designer myself, I can't get over the knowledge that you have about all these vintage products...please keep them coming as they bring back great memories to me

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks Dave - much appreciated.

[@stevenobrien595]

I would love if you did a documentary on roland TR 909 and it's impact on House and pop.

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

That would be an extensive but fun video to make.. Thinking about it for sure.

[@OCSynthesis]

Excellent documentary, Johnny! You got all the key facts, well presented, in 12 minutes

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks Tim!

[@LeeCFC]

outstanding knowledge. Inspiring me to get deep into synth hardware

[@whatistau]

Engineers at Roland created their best work in the early 80s. Along woth 303 being the most thick low tones oscilator of all, still unmached to this day.

[@VintageSynthesizerSolutions]

Love your minidocs Johnny! Keep em coming!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Will do - thanks so much for watching!

[@Aidan_Dissonance]

Thanks Johnny. Love these and keep them coming :) LOVE YOUR WORK

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks Dissonance - much appreciated!

[@SpikesStudio3]

Aaah Johnny, i actually jumped for joy when this popped up. Its not pretty for a 54 year old men to jump like a school girl. Lol. You are the best. These docos are going to be reference for the next generation. Thanks for all your amazing work.👍

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks Michael!

[@ashfaq1999]

Great video of classic Roland drum machines plus the 808 🎶

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

I love the 808.

[@ashfaq1999]

@@johnnymorgansynthdreams Many thanks jonny. I used to have an original 808 but sold it to get the Linndrum back in 1987. Miss it but to get the original 808 back again would cost so much money here in england. But roland’s tr8s version 3 sounds quite good.

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

@@ashfaq1999 Tr8s is great. Do you still have the LinnDrum?

[@ashfaq1999]

@@johnnymorgansynthdreams Thanks Jonny. My Linndrum broke down unfortunately due to a burnt out service board back in 1993 & i gave up getting it repaired as it was costly and parts were difficult to find back then here in the uk.

[@AllanLoboVST]

Magnificent as always!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks Allan

[@DangerAmbrose]

For me the 808 is to Hip Hop and House as the Stratocaster is to Rock and Roll.

[@shalenaporter18]

I b lover ❤ it this is so educational on a whole different musically 🎶 level.

[@donnelson8524]

Really nicely done; thank you!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks Don.

[@Imperceptible_parachute]

Great video. To the point and with plenty of 808!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks Dan!

[@autoy]

Great job putting this one together. About the rejected transistor noise generator however, that’s quite a myth. There was at least 3 transistor parts used throughout the commercial life of the 808. I have heard all 3 calibrated and the 828R is not the one I liked most. In any case Roland chose these transistors for the adequate noise profile and when they run out of 828Rs they just used others until the end of its production. It is not true they stopped the 808 because they run out of 828Rs. I know Kakehashi said so but information compiled by owners proves otherwise.

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Ok thanks great info autoy - thanks for that in-depth knowledge. I've always loved the 808 hats and that smooth sizzle.

[@vhsx]

@@johnnymorgansynthdreams The “magical” transistor is actually used in the noise for the clap, snare, and toms. The HH, CY, and cowbell use a different circuit for noise.

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

@@vhsx Thanks for that info! I'll see if I can Edit the doc to ammend.

[@vhsx]

@@johnnymorgansynthdreams Definitely not necessary! You did an awesome job on putting this together. I watch everything you put out and love when someone takes the time to dig in and appreciate the history of these old machines.

[@j0hnt3nnant]

Awesome job on this. I learned a ton!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks John!

[@budgetguitaristcom]

Great job!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks - much appreciated!

[@lars-fenin]

great overlook/history of the "booooom"... thanx!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks Lars

[@_P_M_]

Another nice tribute. I love videos like these. I've still never seen an 808 or a 909 in person. The earliest I remember at my local music store were the 606 (in a display case. I don't think anyone ever demoed it), the 707 and the 505, which was my first drum machine. Also they had a DDR-30, which I was eventually able to snag for a very agreeable price. But that had more of a Simmons-like sound.

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Cool - yes the tr-808 is pretty rare these days. the real thing is super cool, but lots of great clones out there and the TR-08 which is great as well.

[@GENFX303]

Great video. It's a shame you need to 'disguise' the actual sounds you are talking about, but you did it well. 👍✌️

[@skizzenmusic5025]

🔥

[@Noise-Conductor]

This was dope but now you know you gotta do the TR-909!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Great Idea

[@tmcthemondayclub6236]

`909 next. nice vid

[@AriestheLegendRVA]

🙌

[@user-lp3kb1gc8o]

My guess is that perhaps "Taedo Kikomoto" on Tanks To: is a mistake for "Tadao Kikumoto".😉

[@PWMaarten]

I serviced/modified quite a lot of 808’s but I have never encountered an SD that sound likes yours. The noise seems off. It sounds like it needs a fix, unless you like that grainy texture to the noise.

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

I know - it's pretty crazy - I was thinking that as well. I really like it though.

[@sebp400]

it almost sounds like the crunch on the volca snare.

[@joet4774]

Just as good the second time 😉

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks Joe

[@tiffanzsolti]

Please someone help me! I desperately need to know what Dub Techno track is played at 8:38 ? Thanks!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Hey - That's a song I wrote in 1995 using an 808 / Minimoog / Yamaha cs15 / Korg wavestation and Korg PS3100. I'll be releasing it shortly on bandcamp - keep posted!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

oh yes - I forgot I uploaded it to my Soundcloud - here's the link: soundcloud.com/powerplant-music/phiber-optik-rainy-days-1995?si=b0dff5aff4d5422a92fab1895427db06&

[@tiffanzsolti]

@@johnnymorgansynthdreams awesome track!

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

I regret having sold mine with Kenton midi, now do cost 4 times more.

[@johnb2044]

Johnny are you in Vancouver BC or down over the boarder ? sent an Email cheers

[@StopDropandLOL]

Really feeling the tune you used from 8:38 - 9:18

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thanks - I wrote it in 1995 - it was a live Jam which included a Korg Wavestation, Korg PS-3100, TR-808, TR-606 and a MiniMoog - here's a link the file on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/powerplant-music/phiber-optik-rainy-days-1995

[@StopDropandLOL]

@@johnnymorgansynthdreams It sounds way ahead of its time, I'm honestly shocked that you wrote it then. I'm enjoying the channel and your dives into synth history.

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

@@StopDropandLOL Thanks! Yes it was a pretty awesome night jamming - I have a DAT full of mixes from that night.

[@lorcazola]

333 Thumbs

[@TL....]

and when you're poor like me, you have to resort to rebirth 338 lol