Zoë Blade's notebook

RE-808

RE-808 tech specs

The RE-808 is an analogue drum machine kit released by Din Sync (for the innards) and Kumptronics (for the case)[1] in 2021. It's a clone of Roland's TR-808.

Unlike other 808 clones, which inevitably put a new spin or twist of some kind on the general theme, the RE-808 is essentially a set of spare parts you can swap out with the original as needed, or assemble together to make an exact copy. It's a Synth of Theseus.

The digital step sequencer is an emulator running a ROM dump from the actual TR-808, much like how MAME works (and possibly even using the source code of MAME's NEC μPD650 emulation),[2] with the bonus of being able to optionally override the emulation as needed in order to use MIDI.[1]

The only other noticeable difference compared to the real thing, besides the logotypes, is that it thankfully uses a modern DC power supply.

Din Sync sells the main kit, including all the knobs and switches they had custom made, but not including the BA662 clone. They also sell the BA662 clone, but separately, so you need to make sure you order both. Kumptronics sells the case kit. On top of all that, you still need to source the regular electronic components from the usual suppliers. Much of what you save in money, you spend in time and effort.

In summary, it's as close as you can get to a TR-808 for a fraction of its current second-hand price, brand new, with a modern DC power supply, and MIDI. The tradeoff is that you have to buy it as three separate purchases from two different companies, plus hundreds of electronic components from elsewhere, then spend a good deal of time building it yourself.

It's not a project for the easily discouraged.

References

  1. "Din Sync RE-808 at Superbooth 2022" Sound On Sound magazine, May 2022
  2. "RE-CPU — Replacement CPU for NEC D650C"

Clones: 100 Series (Behringer) | 900 Series (Behringer) | 900 Series (Synth-Werk) | Beige box | Concussor | DOS | DrumStation | Gateron MX switches | Gobricks | HD6303X | K-2 | Keychron switches | Lego clone | MS-1 | MS-5 | Model D | RD-6 | RE-808 | Solina String Ensemble | Soviet ZX Spectrum clones | Sweet Sixteen | TMP80C49P | μPD780 | μPD8048 | μPD8049 | μPD8080 | μPD70216 | VC340

Digital step sequencers: CR-78 | MC-202 | MS-1 | RD-6 | RE-808 | SH-101 | TB-303 | TR-606 | TR-808

Drum machines: CR-78 | R-8 | RD-6 | RE-808 | TR-606 | TR-808 | TR-909

Din Sync: RE-808