Question 1

Does it need anything else out of the box to get started and is it easy enough for a beginner to use and enjoy?

Accepted Answer

You will need headphones or a powered speaker of some type.  But everything else is built in and ready for the road.

Question 2

What is the 808 sound? Which bands/artists used it?

Accepted Answer

The 808 also saw extensive use beyond hip hop, such as on Whitney Houston's 1987 pop hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)".28 In the 1984 Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense, singer David Byrne performs "Psycho Killer" on acoustic guitar accompanied by an 808,29 stumbling against its "gunshot"-like sounds.30 Songwriter Phil Collins found the machine useful for looping rhythms for long periods, since human drummers would be tempted to add variations and fills.26 Chris Norris of The New Yorker wrote that "the introduction of Roland's magic box was indisputably the big bang of pop's great age of disruption, from 1983 to 1986. The 808's defiantly inorganic timbres ... sketched out the domain of a new world of music."8

In the United Kingdom, the 808 was popularized by the electronic group 808 State, who took their name from the machine9 and used it extensively. 808 State's Graham Massey said, "The Roland gear began to be a kind of Esperanto in music. The whole world began to be less separated through this technology, and there was a classiness to it—you could transcend your provincial music with this equipment."2 With the rise of rave culture, a precursor to acid house, the 808 became a staple sound on British radio.3

Rapper Kanye West working in a studio
The 808 continues to be used in popular music; rapper Kanye West (front) used it on every track on his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak.
Rapper Kanye West used the 808 on every track on his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak,31 which Slate described as "an explicit love letter to the device".7 Other artists who have used the 808 include Bassnectar, Damon Albarn, Diplo, Fatboy Slim, David Guetta,32 and New Order.3 It has been referenced in lyrics by artists including the Beastie Boys, Outkast, Kelis, TI, Lil Wayne, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, R Kelly,3 and Robbie Williams.9 Its bass drum has been used as a metaphor for a heartbeat in songs by artists including Madonna, Rihanna, and Kesha.

Question 3

is it midi compatible with any brand of keyboard or synthesizer?

Accepted Answer

The unit does have 5pin MIDI out and MIDI in.  Any keyboard or synthesizer with 5pin MIDI connections should be compatible.

Question 4

howcome the price just dropped like 100 dollars. and how long will it stay at this price?

Accepted Answer

More than likely because Barringer just came out with an 808 knock off as well

ASIN	B074PK61ST
Best Sellers Rank	#38,347 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #62 in Electronic Drum Sets
Body Material	Plastic
Brand Name	Roland
Colour	black
Connector Type	Auxiliary
Country of Origin	China
Customer Reviews	4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (124)
Global Trade Identification Number	00761294511466
Item Dimensions	35.6 x 17.8 x 8.9 Centimeters
Item Weight	1.36 kg
Material Type	Metal
Model Name	TR 8
Model Number	TR-08
Number of Items	1
Part Number	TR-08
Set Name	TR
UPC	632317252096 761294511466 632317250832

Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer

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