FLEXTRIK

Sound guide

808 samples

The 808 is the bass line and the heartbeat of trap and hip hop. Here is how to choose one, tune it, make it audible on small speakers and make it work with the kick.

808s in the Multi-Kit Distortion plugin

What is an 808?

The name comes from the Roland TR-808 drum machine, whose bass drum rings out long and low. In trap and hip hop an 808 sample is a pitched, sustained low note that works as the bass line and the kick's partner. A good 808 library gives you several tones, lengths and amounts of distortion to choose from.

How to choose an 808

  • Tone. Clean and sub-heavy for space, or gritty and mid-range for aggression.
  • Length. A long 808 needs slower patterns; a short one suits fast ones.
  • Key. Every 808 has a pitch; you will tune it to your song.
  • Distortion built in. A pre-saturated 808 cuts through small speakers more easily.

How to tune and play an 808

  1. Find the root noteUse a tuner plugin or play the sample against a keyboard note.
  2. Pitch it to your keySet the sampler's pitch so the sample sounds the root note of your song.
  3. Write the bass lineShort notes for rhythm, long notes for sustain, and glides between notes for the classic 808 slide.
  4. Add slidesIn FL Studio use slide notes in the piano roll. In other DAWs use portamento or glide.

How to distort an 808

A pure low sine wave is nearly inaudible on a phone or a laptop. Distortion or saturation adds harmonics above the fundamental, so the ear fills in the bass from the overtones. Try saturation first, then clipping for aggression, and watch the level so you do not lose the low end.

How to mix 808s with the kick

  • Sidechain the 808 to the kick so the kick punches through, then release.
  • Or split the roles: cut the kick's lows and let the 808 carry the sub.
  • Keep the sub in mono below roughly 100 Hz.
  • Clip or limit the 808 lightly to even out its level.
  • Check on small speakers to make sure you can hear it.

Where to start

The SHROOMKTOBER Multi-Kit includes 808s (77), and SHROOMDECK VST has Distort, Clipper and 808 Bass controls for saturating them.

SHROOMKTOBER Multi-Kit

808s (77), presets, drums, a video, 20 FLPs and a bonus.

$15one-time · digital files

Questions

What is an 808?

An 808 is a long, low, pitched drum sound, originally the bass drum of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. In trap and hip hop it acts as the bass line.

How do I tune an 808 to my song?

Find the pitch of the sample with a tuner or by ear, then change its pitch so it matches the root note of the song's key.

Why does my 808 disappear on small speakers?

The fundamental is too low for them to play. Add saturation or distortion so the 808 has harmonics higher up that small speakers can reproduce.

How do I stop the kick and the 808 from clashing?

Give them different jobs. Sidechain the 808 to the kick, or cut the lows of the kick and let the 808 carry the sub, and keep the sub in mono.

Where can I get 808 samples?

The SHROOMKTOBER Multi-Kit ($15) includes 77 808s together with drums, presets, 20 FLPs, a video and a bonus.

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