Pressure-sensitive pads: These pads make different noises when you tap them with your fingers. The most well-known drum machine was produced by the Roland Corporation, and was invented in the early 80s.

Drum machines can be used for a range of things from playing simple beats on a loop to producing complex, multi-layered songs in many different styles. These machines also create sounds using samples or from audio synthesis. Most drum machines that are produced today enable musicians and producers to programme their own beats. Drum machines were introduced to emulate the sound of a drum kit and other percussion instruments. “Nothing sounds quite like an 808,” Beastie Boys, 1998 What Is A Drum Machine?Ī drum machine is an electronic instrument that creates drum sounds, beats and other percussion sounds. The 808 is by far the most iconic drum machine of its time. There are many drum machines about, but the Roland TR-808 drum machine was one of the first programmable machines. It may have even left you thinking ‘what does 808 mean?’ This is a reference to the revolutionary TR-808 drum machine introduced in the 1980s. Hip-hop and pop lovers will have definitely heard the phrase “808” at least a few times in songs.

808s and heartbreak drum kit