Herr Doktor - TR808 Emulator

Edski · 12 Apr 2009, 14:13

Hi folks,
Came across this website which lets you emulate the good old Doktor in his '83-'84 years as a TR808/909.

http://www.hobnox.com/index.1056.de.html

Has anybody ever come across, acquired or worked out the programming parameters to get those authentic early rhythms? I've just about got Louie Louie/Ghostrider sorted but the rest are impressively elusive!

Brace · 13 Apr 2009, 12:20

Now, why would you want that sound?

It's simply that way because they couldn't make it any better, not because they were looking for that "sweet spot".

It was just a matter of technological limitations, and if they could, they would have made it better.

6FeetOver · 13 Apr 2009, 13:53

Brace wrote:Now, why would you want that sound? It's simply that way because they couldn't make it any better, not because they were looking for that "sweet spot".
It was just a matter of technological limitations, and if they could, they would have made it better.

Not a fan of chip music, I take it...

Edski · 13 Apr 2009, 13:55

Hiya Brace!

The pounding minimalist sounds of the Doktor and Craig's thundering bass lines are what got me into the Sisters back in '81. The raw sound of those early singles and the gigs up to Black October are [for me] what the Sisters were about. It's amazing what they could do inspite of [or because of] the limitations...

I can just about play the bass lines so now I want to do the drum beats as well!

Edski · 13 Apr 2009, 14:05

SINsister wrote:
Brace wrote:Now, why would you want that sound? It's simply that way because they couldn't make it any better, not because they were looking for that "sweet spot".
It was just a matter of technological limitations, and if they could, they would have made it better.
Not a fan of chip music, I take it...

To be honest - after the Leeds gig last week with pre-recorded Doktor AND bass [hmmmmm, and I'm not sure how much of the guitar was played live either

] if you're not a fan of "chip music" - what ARE we still listening to the Sisters for?

eotunun · 13 Apr 2009, 14:07

As one can get the samples of 808 or 909 sounds for just about every freeware drumcomputre software I wonder what practical use there is in a flash player one. A nice toy, maybe.
I still think Hydrogen beats all others with its capabillities (The windows version doesn't really work on my pooter, though..

). Just google for "Software drumcomputer freeware" or similar, and pick from the load of downloadable free things you get offered.
Hammerhead is worth mentioning, it's a very old and tiny bit of software ideal for exercising an a (very) little bit more.

aims · 13 Apr 2009, 14:10

Edski wrote: To be honest - after the Leeds gig last week with pre-recorded Doktor AND bass [hmmmmm, and I'm not sure how much of the guitar was played live either ] if you're not a fan of "chip music" - what ARE we still listening to the Sisters for?

FWIW, I think the Doktor is still as live as he ever was. That or the Nurse has a really cushy job just pressing "play" at the start of each song...

Edski · 13 Apr 2009, 14:55

eotunun wrote:As one can get the samples of 808 or 909 sounds for just about every freeware drumcomputre software I wonder what practical use there is in a flash player one. A nice toy, maybe.
I still think Hydrogen beats all others with its capabillities (The windows version doesn't really work on my pooter, though.. ). Just google for "Software drumcomputer freeware" or similar, and pick from the load of downloadable free things you get offered.
Hammerhead is worth mentioning, it's a very old and tiny bit of software ideal for exercising an a (very) little bit more.

Thanks eotunun - I'll check them out.

My interest [OK OK, I'm a nerd

] is the way they got what they did out of the 808, how long the patterns were, and how much "hands on" was actually required by Claire during the gigs with fill-ins etc. Also I want to understand the actual physical process involved in Von programming an 808. The flash player one actually has the "dangerous red button" and you can see how easy it is to press it by... accident.

nigel d · 14 Apr 2009, 13:02

propeller heads "rebirth" is free and downloadable from the propeller heads website303 808 and 909

http://www.rebirthmuseum.com/

all is explained there.
apparently its the dogs dodahs

Gripper · 14 Apr 2009, 13:41

As Peely once said after playing Walk Away, "Rum Tum Tum with The Sisters of Mercy"

Edski · 14 Apr 2009, 23:06

nigel d wrote:propeller heads "rebirth" is free and downloadable from the propeller heads website303 808 and 909

http://www.rebirthmuseum.com/

all is explained there.
apparently its the dogs dodahs

Many thanks. Vuze is doing the do and down'ing it at the moment. Looks like a fine way to pass 6 months garden leave

nigel d · 15 Apr 2009, 07:31

when downloaded, remember it is an ISO file.
You will need ISO BUSTER or something similar to "mount" it in a virtual cd drive, otherwise it will only run with a cd in a drive. mounting makes for a quicker response as the iso image resides on the hard drive i only had a quick play on this but looks very promising.

next purchase is the use audio plugiator asx hardware for my controller board.

eotunun · 15 Apr 2009, 07:45

Or, if it has to be Rebirth, check for second hand originals on ebay. I bought the original for 5â‚¬ shortly after the Euro was introduced. I'm not a fan of that thingy, I must say. I admit, I didn't really have anything to do with it and only just had my first PC back then. I maybe should give tweaking it a closer look. But Rebirth was mainly used for techno stuff and thus the sounds it has on board are of that kind as well.
..not much use for making music, hm?

As said, there are tons of free audiosoftwares out there, and many of them are interesting.

eastmidswhizzkid · 11 May 2009, 07:16

thanks for that -a nice litle toy with the 303's as well.