Switched on Pop 808: The drum machine that changed music forever (Twenty Thousand Hertz)
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May 25, 2025 Dallas Taylor, founder of Defacto Sound and host of '20,000 Hertz', and DJ Jazzy Jeff, the legendary hip-hop icon, dive into the revolution brought by the TR-808 drum machine. They unravel its unlikely journey from being overlooked in the early '80s to becoming a vital force in music across genres like hip hop and pop. Discover how this iconic instrument shaped sounds we know today and hear fascinating anecdotes from musicians who embraced its unique characteristics, cementing the 808's legacy in modern music.
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808's Enduring Pop Music Impact
- The Roland TR-808 drum machine influenced the sound of pop music for over 40 years.
- Its unique sounds became iconic in many hit songs across genres like hip hop, R&B, and pop.
Bass Evolution Before 808
- Early recordings lacked strong bass due to technological limits in microphones and speakers.
- A real bass explosion in music awaited revolutionary instruments like the 808 in the 1980s.
DJ Jazzy Jeff's 808 Fascination
- DJ Jazzy Jeff recalls hearing the 808 on early hip hop records and being captivated.
- He and others wanted the machine to recreate its distinctive drum sounds in their own music.