Electronic hardware heavyweight Roland will reissue its classic TR-808 drum machine as part of the its Boutique range.
Dubbed the TR-08 Rhythm Composer, the machine boasts “the legendary boom and sizzle of the most famous drum machine ever made” in an “affordable and modern format.”
Designed to be a completely faithful recreation of the original 808, the TR-08 will feature all the sounds and programming abilities of the original instrument, made popular in 80s classics such as Marvin Gaye’s ‘Sexual Healing’, and used by hip-hop pioneers including Run DMC.
The TR-08 joins other new Boutique synthesizers, including the D-05—a recreation of the D-50 keyboard, the SH01A—a recreation of the SH101, and the SE-02—a recreation of the SE-02. Tracking down a first edition TR-808 is difficult and expensive, so the new TR-08 is the ideal solution for producers and performers looking to add some classic flavour to their setups.
Watch Matthew Johnson demo the Roland TR-08 and SH-01A at his Berlin studio here:
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Read our history of the Roland TR-808 here to find out more about the TR-08’s original incarnation.