# Roland TR-808

> Built 1980-1983 and a commercial flop at first because its sounds were unrealistic, the 808 was discovered by underground producers for its affordability and idiosyncratic deep bass drum, becoming a foundational drum mac

- **Type:** Equipment & Machines
- **Canonical URL:** https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/topic/roland-tr-808
- **JSON:** https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/api/topics/roland-tr-808.json
- **Era:** 1980-1983
- **Confidence:** 80/100
- **Last verified:** June 10, 2026

## Roland TR-808

*1980-1983* — the deep, booming kick and snappy claps/cowbell behind early house and electro — a cult favorite once it hit the cheap secondhand market.

Built 1980-1983 and a commercial flop at first because its sounds were unrealistic, the 808 was discovered by underground producers for its affordability and idiosyncratic deep bass drum, becoming a foundational drum machine in early Chicago house, electro and hip hop.

A commercial flop on release, the 808's deep boom and snappy cowbell were rescued from obscurity by underground producers and became foundational to house, electro and hip hop alike.

### Producers & records that made it iconic

- [Marshall Jefferson](/artist/marshall-jefferson) — *"Move Your Body (The House Music Anthem)"*
- **Mr. Fingers (Larry Heard)** — *"Washing Machine"*

Part of the wider story of [House Music Equipment](/topic/house-music-equipment).

## Related

- https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/topic/house-music-equipment (or /artist/house-music-equipment)
- https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/topic/history-of-house-music (or /artist/history-of-house-music)

## Sources

1. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808)

## How to cite this page

```
House Music Intelligence Database. "Roland TR-808." Published by World Famous House Crew. Last verified June 10, 2026. URL: https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/topic/roland-tr-808
```

_Part of the [House Music Intelligence Database](https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/) knowledge graph. See [/llms.txt](https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/llms.txt)._