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How do you get the perfect 808?

By Matthew Alvarez | March 14, 2026

How do you get the perfect 808?

Here's how:

Add a compressor to the 808.
Route the kick into its sidechain input.
Set the attack to its fastest value, so that every time the kick hits, the 808 turns down momentarily. This will shave the transient off the 808.
Adjust the release until the 808 returns naturally to full volume after the kick hits.

Similarly, you may ask, how can I boost my 808?

That's why we put together this simple step-by-step guide to mixing 808s that bang.

Choose the Right Sample.
Tune the 808 to the Key of Your Song.
Tweak the Timing.
Make It Loud!
Layer Multiple Samples.
Sculpt the Lows Using EQ.
Add Punch and Sustain Using Compression.
Add Distortion to Help Your 808 Cut Through the Mix.

Furthermore, should I sidechain kick and 808? An ideal mix will have the kick transient hit first, and then the 808 bass fades in. However, blending the two should sound like one seamless bass sound. The kick should cut through, while still having a seamless blend. This method is often better than using sidechain compression.

In this manner, what is the best 808 sample pack?

8 Best 808 Sample Packs in 2020 (100% Royalty Free)

Zenhiser – Universal 808 Kicks. We've written about Zenhiser products in the past, and they continue to release superb quality sample packs across a range of genres.
808 Earthquake.
Wave Alchemy: 808 Drums.
Apollo Sound – 808 Bass Samples.
Trap Ultra Pack.
808 Warfare.
808 Mafiosa.
Wild Trap 3 – Wonk and Hybrid Trap.

Why are my 808s so quiet?

It could be an issue of headroom. If you have anything else playing at the same time (especially recorded tracks) and you have not EQed out the low frequencies on those tracks then they fight for space and your 808 gets squished.

How do you EQ kick?

Put an EQ with a visual display of the frequencies on your kick and bass tracks. If there's a lot of activity at the lowest frequencies, your mix is probably suffering. Almost no speaker systems can reproduce sounds below 20-30 Hz. To get rid of this sub-sub-bass, use a steep high-pass filter to EQ it out.

What is an 808 bassline?

The 808 produces sounds in imitation of acoustic percussion: the bass drum, snare, toms, conga, rimshot, claves, handclap, maraca, cowbell, cymbal, and hi-hat (open and closed). Rather than playing samples, the machine generates sounds using analog synthesis; the TR in TR-808 stands for "Transistor Rhythm".

Should 808s be mono or stereo?

Generally low frequencies (especially sub bass like an 808 kick) should be in mono. One thing that I sometimes do, though, is add some saturation/distortion, which adds some higher harmonics, then make only the higher frequencies in stereo using a stereo chorus or flanger.

What is an 808 kick?

“The TR-808's kick drum sound is made using a resonating trigger pulse, similar in behaviour to the way that a drum head vibrates when hit. When a drum head is hit multiple times in succession, even using the same force, the way the sound resonates will change depending on the state of vibration from the drum head.

What are 808 beats?

As such, 808 has become slang for a “beat” or “track.” The phrase “heart beating like an 808” is especially common in pop songs. Because of its prevalence in lyrics, people who aren't musicians or producers may still understand the reference to the 808 as a drum sound.

What frequency is an 808 kick?

The 808 takes up the 50-100Hz range comfortably, and you may even try boosting 100-200 or 100-250 a bit to give the 808 a rounder, fuller feeling. But when an 808 is used with a kick and/or bass, take care. All three of these tracks could easily inhabit the 50-250 Hz range.

Are Bass Louder Than Kicks?

The bass should be loud enough that the low end is big and powerful, but not so loud that it overpowers the kick drum. Remember to check your reference mixes often to make sure you're staying on course. Once you have the bass level where you want it, don't be afraid to adjust some of the other faders as well.

Do you compress 808?

Sidechain compression and multiband compression will play a big role. A C6 multiband compressor can help you dip a frequency in your 808 to make room for the kick. In some cases, just rolling off the low end on the kick at around 80 Hz with a Q10 or an eMo Q4 can leave plenty of room for your 808 to sound big.

Does FL Studio have 808?

Utilizing the kick drum with a rather punchy bass sound, the modern 808 sound has taken over the music scene. Check out this cool video below on how to make your own 808 sounds in FL studio. Use this as a quick guide to create something truly unique to your own beats.

Why is it called 808?

If you're into hip-hop and pop, you've probably heard “808” at some point. That's a reference to the iconic Roland TR-808, a drum machine created by Ikutaro Kakehashi in 1980. The machine particularly stood out for its powerful bass drum sound.

Is 808 a sub bass?

In trap the 808 is the sub bass so there's no need for both.