808 State Kick Processing

[dmorr]

Hey Everyone,

Here is a link to a clip of an 808 State 808 drum pattern which i'm trying to replicate exactly. Can someone explain what is the subtle FX are on the kick? I have 808 samples, and I can get the sound to match fine, but I want to be picky and replicate it exactly. It seems there is some light distortion or compression on the kick, whatever it is though it makes it sound noticeably better than mine! ...But I don't know how to get it. Can someone help me here?

808 state original clip:

http://www.mediafire.com/?28dagr2cnr7z27v

My pattern:

http://www.mediafire.com/?j14i78t6otao9g7

I am only after the kick right now, I know the other sounds aren't matched either yet, but I am not so concerned with them.

Thanks so much!

dmorr

[Ronny Pries]

Look, that track was produced in 1988. They most likely put their 808 kick through a mixer and its rather simple EQ and that's about it already.

Thing is tho, it was analog gear and most probably recorded to tape. Let's not forget channel and bus distortion.

Possible solution: Waves NLS, Slate Digital VCC or Sonimus Satson alongside with something like Waves Kramer Tape. Or trying to get there by checking out other channel strips/effects from Variety of Sound & the likes.

Getting that oldschool sound right on the digital domain - ain't no easy thing.

[_leras]

Surely you can find a sample that will get you close enough. Otherwise, as above, try to fins some tape saturator plug in, Magneto in cubase, some others, else just compress and roll of some of the top end.

Doesn't sound too amazing to be honest...

[Acid Mitch]

Look, that track was produced in 1988. They most likely put their 808 kick through a mixer and its rather simple EQ and that's about it already.

Thing is tho, it was analog gear and most probably recorded to tape. Let's not forget channel and bus distortion.
.

+1. There isn't much going on effects-wise. Mostly reverb, which your sample lacks.

the vinyl pressing would have had more effect than anything 808 state processed it with.
Something to remember is that not all 808s sound the same. You might never get it the exact same without having 808 states 808(or samples from it).

[Acid Mitch]

Doesn't sound too amazing to be honest...

I love that track. Best thing 808 State did imho.

[robogone]

Why do you want to get it exactly the same? Can't you just use what you have to make something fit to what you're working with?

[Acid Mitch]

Why do you want to get it exactly the same?

Maybe he has worn out the record

[robogone]

Why do you want to get it exactly the same?

Maybe he has worn out the record

[dmorr]

Why do you want to get it exactly the same?

Maybe he has worn out the record

Lol. Firstly, thanks everyone for your responses. I expected people would be curious why I even need to get it exactly the same.

The answer is just that I really like old techno, and I find that a lot of the time the 808 and 606 kicks that I hear just have a really nice punch to them. I find that when I use compression or distortion it just doesn't cut it. I will try using the plugins you suggested.

Look, that track was produced in 1988. They most likely put their 808 kick through a mixer and its rather simple EQ and that's about it already.

Thing is tho, it was analog gear and most probably recorded to tape. Let's not forget channel and bus distortion.

Possible solution: Waves NLS, Slate Digital VCC or Sonimus Satson alongside with something like Waves Kramer Tape. Or trying to get there by checking out other channel strips/effects from Variety of Sound & the likes.

Getting that oldschool sound right on the digital domain - ain't no easy thing.

Yes, thank you I will try that.

Is there anyone on here though willing to try and replicate themselves and show what they did to get it?

[robogone]

Lol. Firstly, thanks everyone for your responses. I expected people would be curious why I even need to get it exactly the same.

The answer is just that I really like old techno, and I find that a lot of the time the 808 and 606 kicks that I hear just have a really nice punch to them. I find that when I use compression or distortion it just doesn't cut it. I will try using the plugins you suggested.

You might want to just investigate sources of one hit drums then and see if you can find some old school techno. I'm sure someone more in the know than me can point you to sources.

[dmorr]

Yes, but how hard can it really be to replicate it? Like it's ok if the tape distortion is slightly different. If my 808 VST doesn't do the trick can't I just use a modular synth or something to replicate a closer match.

[Ronny Pries]

Believe me when i say that replicating the sound of 80s setups is amongst the toughest things you can do on the digital domain. All those inlinearities add up to something a simple tube distortion for example can't nail.

However, if you try to sound oldschool you also have to think oldschool. Keep shit as simple as possible. They didn't do any rocket science tricks back then.

I recently demo'd a few of those virtual analog summing channels and they're yet the most natural approach towards sounding oldschool. 808 kick > bit drive on the input gain. Instant fatness.

[Cintronic]

Its hard to hear kick that well on original clip through the reverb of other percussion. As far as your clip goes i think the tail of your kick is too long any uncontrolled compared to original. Try a shorter tail of gate. Otherwise pretty good.