In music, what does the number 808 mean?

[Kevinwillis]

If you like hip-hop and pop music, you’ve most likely heard “808.” That’s a nod to the legendary Roland TR-808 drum machine created by Ikutaro Kakehashi. When musicians say “turn up the 808 drum,” they’re referring to the distinctive dribbling bass drum sound. If you build a powerful enough 808, it will be able to blow out your loudspeakers, which is exactly what you want if you want to make a killer. However, when it was first released in 1980, the 808 was a commercial flop and was regarded as a toy with robotic sounds rather than a real instrument. It can be difficult for producers to find the right reduced frequency 808 vibes.

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