Roland - TR-808 | Software Rhythm Composer

An authentic recreation of the most famous drum machine ever made—inside your DAW.

The TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer is a detailed replica of the legendary TR-808—one of the most revered and sought-after electronic musical instruments of all time. Our plug-in recreation delivers all the boom, snap, and sizzle of the original hardware, plus modern enhancements for more sound design choices and faster beatmaking.

+ Highlights

Authentic recreation of the TR-808 Rhythm Composer using ACB technology
Detailed interface gives the feel of working with the vintage hardware
Individual instrument gain lets you overdrive the internal circuitry for different flavors and styles
Classic TR-REC sequencer expanded with individual drum instrument lanes and additional articulations
Adjustable flams, sub steps, and soft hits create detailed fills and ratcheted sequences
Per-instrument last step and shuffle settings for intricate timing and complex meters
Eight variations per pattern for interesting sequences and easy arranging
Drag and drop audio or MIDI patterns directly from the plug-in to your DAW
VST3, AU, and AAX compatibility and native support for Apple silicon
Included with Roland Cloud Pro (via Pro Selector) and Ultimate memberships
Also available as a Lifetime Key purchase

A legend in the making.

In 1980, Roland introduced the TR-808 Rhythm Composer as a quick and easy songwriting tool for musicians. At the time, the high cost of memory drove Roland engineers to use analog synthesis instead of samples for its sounds. Through a series of happy accidents—including unique transistor choices—they created a one-of-a-kind instrument that set the 808 in its own sonic universe. But like many legends to be, it was dismissed by many at the time. In a market looking for "traditional" or "realistic" sampled drum sounds, only about 12,000 units were made before the TR-808 was discontinued in 1983.

1980

Sonic boom.

Later in the 1980s, adventurous creators discovered the TR-808's untapped potential, and the music world changed forever. Emerging genres made heavy use of the 808 sound, with some utilizing it as the sonic signature of the style. The sizzling hi-hats and snappy snare, clicky rim shot, distinctive cowbell, and booming bass drum have been heard on an endless stream of worldwide hits and underground classics. And more continue to arrive every day. The TR-808's influence is so deep that it's been name-dropped in famous songs, had albums dedicated to it and bands named after it, and it's even the subject of a feature-length documentary film.

Classic tracks featuring the TR-808 ▼

TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer - Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB)

Our proprietary circuit modeling technology brings the complete TR-808 sound experience to life in your DAW. The ACB process involves carefully analyzing original hardware units, circuit diagrams, and other historical data. We then use this information to recreate the unique architecture and authentic circuit behaviors of the vintage instrument. This gives the TR-808 plug-in its ultra-realistic sound that leaps from the speakers.

Authentic experience. And more.

While developing the TR-808 plug-in, we took the opportunity to improve on the original hardware while keeping the authentic experience intact. Workflow enhancements include an advanced multi-lane sequencer for faster programming, individual pan and gain controls for space and punch, and the ability to tune the bass drum and cowbell.

A step forward.

Opening the sophisticated Edit view gives you independent step sequencer lanes per drum instrument, each with its own mute, solo, shuffle, and last-step settings. There are also per-step articulations, including weak hits, nine types of flams, and three types of sub steps for super-intricate patterns.

Modern living.

While the TR-808 plug-in carefully models an instrument from the past, the implementation is thoroughly modern. The sequencer conveniently syncs to tempo, and you can drag and drop patterns created within the instrument as MIDI or audio directly to your DAW timeline. And it fits perfectly into your production environment with a freely resizable UI, support for VST3, AAX, and AU formats, and native compatibility with Apple silicon.

Feed your creativity.

The TR-808 plug-in comes with classic kits and patterns to get you started, and it's incredibly easy to program custom beats and tweak your own kits. But that's only the beginning. Roland Cloud offers a wealth of new patches and patterns from artists and expert sound designers to inspire your music.

Hardware integration.

The TR-808 software instrument integrates seamlessly with our TR-8S Rhythm Performer and TR-08 Roland Boutique hardware. Import TR-8S patterns into the TR-808 plug-in and create beats in your DAW and send them back to the hardware. You can even use the hands-on panel controls on the TR-8S or TR-08 for direct operation of the plug-in.

Try the TR-808 today.

The TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer is available with Roland Cloud Pro (via Pro Selector) and Ultimate memberships or a Lifetime Key purchase. Roland Cloud is also home to software versions of other vintage Roland instruments plus ZENOLOGY, ZENOLOGY FX, Zenbeats, and other inspiring music tools to back your creative journeys.

Join Roland Cloud

Try the TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer for free with a Roland Cloud 30-day trial membership.

Specifications
Maximum Polyphony: 11 voices
Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Step Sequencer: 11 instrument parts
16 steps per 1 measure
8 (A - H) variations per 1 pattern
INST tone: BASS DRUM
SNARE DRUM
LOW TOM / LO CONGA
MID TOM / MID CONGA
HI TOM / HI CONGA
RIM SHOT / CLAVES
HAND CLAP / MARACAS
COWBELL
CYMBAL
OPEN HI-HAT
CLOSED HI-HAT
* Slashed instruments are selectable.
Memories per bank: 128 patterns
128 memories
*User can make new user banks.
Plug-In Formats: VSTi 2.4(64bit)* Windows only
VSTi 3.6(64bit)
AU
AAX
System Requirements (macOS™)
Minimum Operating System: macOS 11
Host Application: VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: Audio Units V2 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5 or better
Apple M1 chip
RAM: 2 GB or more
Hard Disk: 400 MB or more
Display/Colors: 1280 x 800 or higher/16.7 million colors or more
Other: You'll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software
System Requirements (Windows®)
Minimum Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)

*This does not work with the Windows® RT.
*This does not work with the Windows® Phone.
*This does not work on the virtual machines such as Hyper-V, Virtual PC, or Boot Camp.
Host Application: VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 2.4/3.6 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5 or better
RAM: 2 GB or more
Hard Disk: 400 MB or more
Display/Colors: 1280 x 800 or higher, 24 bit Full Color or more
Other: You'll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software.
* Although Roland has tested numerous configurations, and has determined that on average, a computer system similar to that described above will permit normal operation of the TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements. This is because there are too many other variables that may influence the processing environment, including differences in motherboard design and the particular combination of other devices involved.
Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

Video Library

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Downloads

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact the Roland Product Support team directly via Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner’s Manuals

[English] TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer Owner's Manual [PDF]