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808 Clone projects

If you’re interested in hand-building Roland TR-808 drum circuits, check out this page.  I’ve added downloadable information packets that explain how to build the Bass, Snare, and HiHats on protoboard.  If you look inside the documents you’ll get a feel for the method I’ve developed for prototyping circuits quickly.  CAD software isn’t required to use these documents.

 TR808 Bass Drum DIY Project

 TR808 Snare DIY Project

TR808 HiHat DIY Project

Hopefully somebody finds this useful.  I did these layouts in 2007 and the clones came out nicely.  I’ve been playing them ever since.  One advantage to building them on protoboard is that you’ll be able to experiment with modifications and not worry about trashing a real TR-808.  I’ve found that most of the component values are non-critical;  there are lots of ways to vary the sound.

Notes on diodes and transistors:

1N914A diode is a very common diode.  also just called 1N914.  also called a “small signal diode”. you can substitute 1N4148 or probably 1N458.  here’s 1N914 at mouser.com.

sorry I didnt include the exact parts list I used.  I substituted transistors.  for all NPN I use BC546B, and for all PNP I used BC556B.  You should get these instead of the old “2SC” and “2SA” transistors listed on the last page of the plans, because some transistors have different pin connections.  that means I dont know if my layout would work with the old 2SC / 2SA transistors.   So use the BC- parts.

Notes on triggering:

If you’d like to trigger these drum modules manually, it is easy.  All you do is get an SPST momentary pushbutton and wire it between +15V and the Trigger input terminal.  You need to use the diode-cap-resistor trigger circuit here.  Otherwise you will get a weird sound at the moment you release the button.

You can also trigger them with piezo discs and make a drum pad.  get some medium or large plain piezo discs (20mm diameter for example).  Wire the piezo between the Trigger terminal and GND.  When you tap the piezo, it will sound the drum.

Remember, the Accent terminal has to be high (+2 to +15V) for the drum to make sound.