808 drums can be the difference between a good and a great track. The best 808’s are clear and punchy, adding a bit of oomph to a record. Getting the most out of the drum sample, tuning, and layering of the drum’s sound is essential.
1. Pick a Sample
You can find a number of drum and 808 sample packs online. You can either buy them or download them from your favorite artist. Search for samples that have clarity and are punchy. The more the sample adds to the mix the better.
If you’re searching for samples for a specific track, try out different samples with your beat pattern before selecting one.
Once you’ve found the right sample selection, we can go ahead and tune the 808.
2. Tune Your 808 Drum
Pitch and note help determine how you should tune your 808. Harmonizing your drum beat with the rest of the song can make the sound of your drums jive better with the overall track. Experiment with different settings in your DAW (digital audio workspace) to find the right notes.
Find the key of your song and drum pattern to make sure your song is in order. Tune the key to the note of the drum waveform to ground the song and notes in it’s right place.
Layering the 808 beat to the rest of the track is the next step.
3. Layer Your 808 Drum
To sustain the low-end boom of the 808, layer the drum with a kick. The high end crispness of the kick drum will bring out the lows of the 808. Find a frequency and note that works for your track to maximize your 808.
The hard part about this is finding the right mix so the two drums don’t interfere with each other. Mix and match frequencies and settings in your DAW to find the perfect combination.
Employ these tips and you’ll to find the right sound for your 808!
Contact us if you’re interested in booking a session at Bay Eight Recording Studios.
