This is an introduction to the 808 Snare Drum by NoisyFruitsLab, available at Takazudo Modular. The 808 Snare Drum is a drum module that reproduces the TR-808 snare drum sound using analog circuitry.
This product is available for purchase below.
- What is the 808 Snare Drum?
- Use Cases for the 808 Snare Drum
- Playing Drums in a Modular System
- Waveform Mark Lights Up
- Reference Video
- Specifications
- Included Accessories
- About NoisyFruitsLab
What is the 808 Snare Drum?
This is a simple snare drum module based on the 808. The module has a single Input jack that receives a trigger (TRIG) gate, and a single OUT jack, making it straightforward and simple in design.
The original 808 snare has three parameters controllable via knobs: Level, Tone, and Snappy. This 808 Snare Drum adds a Noise knob on top of these.
Here's how each knob affects the sound:
Level
Controls the volume.
Tone
Turning it up emphasizes the high frequency range, while turning it down emphasizes the low frequency range.
Snappy
The snappy refers to the spring-like component attached to the underside of a snare drum. When Snappy is turned up, a white noise-like effect emphasizing mid to high frequencies is added to the sound.
Noise
Controls the amount of noise added when Snappy is turned up. Increasing Noise adds more of a pure white noise component to the Snappy effect.
Use Cases for the 808 Snare Drum
This module would be a strong candidate if you want to produce drum sounds within your modular system and specifically want an 808 snare.
This module essentially produces an 808-style snare sound and nothing more, so that's the simplest way to think about it. While I don't own an original TR-808, anyone involved in music has heard plenty of samples of its sound. Based on that intuitive familiarity, this module produces a sound that convincingly captures that character.
When you turn the Snappy and Noise knobs all the way up, you get a very pronounced noise. This isn't something you'd find in the original 808 snare, but this gritty texture has its own appeal.
Although the module is 40mm deep, it's compact at just 4HP while featuring comfortably sized knobs that are easy to operate, which I personally appreciate. Speaking from personal experience, when performing in real time, modules with tiny knobs designed to save space can be difficult to use. (Though if you don't frequently adjust the knobs, this may not be a concern.)
One thing worth noting is that this module does not support CV control of individual parameters. While the same brand's Kick V2 allows pitch control via CV, this module simply triggers a snare sound when it receives a trigger. If you were hoping to control the snare's Tone or Decay via CV, please be aware that this module cannot do that.
Playing Drums in a Modular System
When playing drums within a modular system, I believe the performer gains greater possibilities for fine-tuned performance and control in exchange for a larger system.
If you've only ever thought of a snare as just playing the same old sample, picking up a module like this and using it might make you realize that even a single snare drum can produce a wide variety of tones.
Speaking for myself (Takazudo), I genuinely enjoy being able to fine-tune each individual sound, and I've assembled and regularly use a collection of 909/808-style drum modules.
Waveform Mark Lights Up
The waveform design at the top of the panel has an LED behind it that lights up green according to the volume level. It's a visually enjoyable module. (The yellow one is Kick V2.)
Reference Video
Here is a video of Takazudo playing this module. Please use it as a reference for the module's operation. (The same brand's Kick V2 and Sproom DSP are also used.)
Specifications
- Width: 8HP
- Depth: 42mm
- Power consumption: +12V 92mA / -12V 23mA
Included Accessories
- Power ribbon cable
- Screws
- Banana keychain
- Banana sticker
About NoisyFruitsLab
NoisyFruitsLab is a German synthesizer maker run by Samuel Biniaszczyk. Despite being a small operation, they release many high-quality modules, and many of their modules are also available as DIY panel & PCB kits.
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That concludes the introduction to the 808 Snare Drum.
The 808 Snare Drum was one of the first batch of modules we received from NoisyFruitsLab. The reason Takazudo chose to carry NoisyFruitsLab modules was to introduce modules that are easy to understand even for those new to modular synthesis -- simply put, modules that are simple, user-friendly, and just the right size. The 808 Snare Drum is exactly that kind of module.
As mentioned in the introduction to the same brand's Kick V2, when you want to play drums within a modular system, the ability to make fine tonal adjustments can lead to new discoveries for some users, in Takazudo's view.
For example, with this module, simply turning the Noise knob up high might give you an effect close to a breakbeat-like quality. For those who produce music with a DAW, parameters like Tone and Snappy are ones you frequently encounter when working with snare sounds. You've probably used a mouse to tweak knob UIs recreated on your PC monitor. However, having an actual physical knob right in front of you that you can touch and feel the tonal changes is, in Takazudo's view, a very different experience from controlling those same parameters in a DAW.
You might think, "Well, I could just set up a MIDI controller and do the same thing in a DAW," but let's be honest -- don't you usually find that too much hassle to bother with? Having this instrument right in front of you, one that does nothing but produce the sound of a snare drum, offers a different kind of experience. That, I believe, is one of the joys of modular synthesis.
In summary, this module plays an 808 snare. Quite faithfully. That's all it does -- and that's what makes it great.
We hope you found this helpful.