XBASE 808 or other TR808 alternative.

Damo303 · Post by **Damo303** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:13 pm

Has anyone checked out the new Xbase 808 yet? I'm looking for a new drum machine that is the closest sounding drum machine to the TR808.

Its pretty expensive and I could buy a real 808 for cheaper but what I want is the 808 sound and step sequencer style recording but not the vintage limitation downside and repair bills etc.

In other words if Roland made an update of the 808 again today - i'd buy it!

Also the samples on the Jomox website don't seem to sound anything like an 808 so i'm wondering if there is anything else available?

Any other suggestions - I think there is a new Dave Smith drum machine out soon too.

Only hardware suggestions, no software.

Thanks!

clubbedtodeath · Post by **clubbedtodeath** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:23 pm

Hi Damo

Welcome to VSE.

This belongs in the "Buyer's Guide" forum -- I've moved this thread.

Post by **johans121** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:49 pm

Damo303 wrote:Has anyone checked out the new Xbase 808 yet? I'm looking for a new drum machine that is the closest sounding drum machine to the TR808.

I personally don't think the 888 would be a good substitute for an 808, if what you are looking for are the 808 sounds. As the website says, the 888 is not a clone. It does have some similar characteristics.

I recently got an 888 myself - I love it! It sounds amazing! For what it's worth, I don't think any of the demo's I've found online do this thing justice. At all. I'm going to try to post a track or two that showcases it. However that currently isn't high on my priority list.

The 888 is super easy to program. All the sounds are well defined. There is nothing muddy about it. The ability to load custom samples is pretty cool, makes this machine very versitile. Plus it's got midi! You can do things on it that the 808 can only dream about.

All in all I am extremely happy with my purchase. I would not trade my 888 for an 808. It is definitely a keeper, it fits very well into my setup.

ill electro · Post by **ill electro** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:14 pm

I have been down the same path for many years... I love the xox stlye seq but i couldnt afford a real 808/909... What works great is to get yourself an inxpensive Akai S900/950 and pair it with a Korg EMX electribe. Simply by setting the outputs on all drums to output 3/4 on the emx and loading in a 3rd party 808/909(kid nepro sells akai discs) for the S900/950. match the midi channels on both machines and BINGO!!! The akai has mutli outs which make it a breeze to add eq and compresion down the road. Although the outputs of the s900/950 has a very special and warm sound to them by themselves. Also check out the S900 blog which was just launched. Some nice guy just posted a Jomox X base09 sample set for the s900/950... god bless him..... Good luck on your quest....

Z · Post by Z » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:28 pm

I own a real TR-808 (with Kenton MIDI kit installed) and the Novation DrumStation. I would have to say the DrumStation is a very accurate reproduction of the 808 sounds along with 909 sounds. Of course, the DrumStation is a sound module and must be triggered by external source. Many feel the 808's "magic" is its pattern sequencer. For me, I can take it or leave it. Since I installed the Kenton kit over 15 years ago, I only used the 808 as a sound module.

Z

ramos · Post by **ramos** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:58 pm

http://www.eight-oh-eight.org/phpbb2/index.php

The thing about the 808 for me is obviously the sound, but what sets it apart from most drum machines is the sequencer, it's really fun to play, it's simple and really gets the creative juices flowing, IMO anyway.

If you really want the 808 sound, save up, and buy one, you don't have to pay ebay prices for one, they are well worth the price.

c1t1zen · Post by **c1t1zen** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:41 pm

I've played the Jomox 888 briefly at the store. It's a great piece of kit and very capable of getting close to TR-808 sounds but an 808 it is not. For one you don't get direct control over each sound at the same time. You have to switch the knobs focus for each instrument. That was the deal breaker for me. I also looked at the Machinedrum at the same time and it has the same issues where you need to switch over to the instrument you want to adjust with the knobs. I loved the setup of the Machinedrum more. There's multiple ways to approach it. Maybe with more time on the 888 I would find shortcuts like I did after I got my Machinedrum.

If you want that 808 sound and don't want maintanence then check out the Grooveboxes like the MC-303/505/808. These all have 808 and 909 samples and in many cases are more flexibility in mixing sounds or tweaking. For example when I owned a MC-303 I could make that 808 bass BOOooooooomm. I can't get anywhere that amount of decay with my stock TR-808.

Another box to look into is the TR-606...It has it's own character but a fun box. Lot cheaper then the 808.

Couple downsides for me with the TR-808. Weak snare. No one will say listen to that real snare, They'll say listen to that 808 snare. Cymbol is very bland. can't go from a bell to crash to ride. It's just a long fizzle of white noise or short fizzle.

And the link above goes to the MB-808 clone.. There was about 50 PCB's made and shipped with no plans for more. So those lucky few are going to have real collectors pieces if they put it together properly. Doubt many will enter the 2nd hand market, even so I doubt they will go for less then a real TR-808. Just my two cents.

xibalba · Post by **xibalba** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:16 am

xbase 09 may come close
and if your talking about buying an 888 its almost and pretty much the cost of an 808

XBASE 808 or other TR808 alternative.

XBASE 808 or other TR808 alternative.

Re: XBASE 808 or other TR808 alternative.