What drum machine was used on Planet Rock?

Afrika Bambaataa used the Roland TR-808 drum machine as the foundation for the "Planet Rock" drum sound. The TR-808's distinctive electronic drums became a cornerstone of early hip-hop and electro music.

How did Afrika Bambaataa get the robotic drum sound on Planet Rock?

The robotic textures were created by running the TR-808 drum sounds through a Roland VP-330 vocoder. This processing was particularly applied to the snare and hi-hat sounds to achieve that distinctive synthetic, robot-like character.

What reverb was used on Planet Rock drums?

An AMS RMX16 reverb unit was used to add spatial depth to the drum sounds. The reverb settings were likely short and bright to maintain the punchy character while adding that futuristic ambience.

Who produced Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa?

Arthur Baker produced "Planet Rock," with Bob Blank as the engineer. The track was recorded at Unique Recording Studios in New York City, where Baker's innovative production techniques helped define the electro-funk sound.

How to recreate Planet Rock drum sound today?

Start with authentic TR-808 sounds from a modern drum machine or plugin, then process the individual drum elements through a vocoder for robotic textures. Add a short, bright digital reverb to create space without losing the punch and clarity of the original.

drums from "planet rock" by afrika bambaataa & soulsonic force

planet rock

afrika bambaataa & soulsonic force

drums

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Tone Profile

A heavily processed and synthesized drum machine sound, characterized by its punchy, electronic, and futuristic vibe. The drums are crisp, robotic, and designed for maximum impact on the dance floor.

Shop This Rig

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Roland TR-808(instrument)
Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus(processing)
AMS RMX16 Reverb(processing)

The Story

The iconic drums on "Planet Rock" were built around the Roland TR-808 drum machine, with producer Arthur Baker and engineer Bob Blank recorded at Unique Recording Studios in New York. The TR-808's individual drum sounds, particularly the snare and hi-hats, were processed through a Roland VP-330 vocoder to create the distinctive robotic textures. An AMS RMX16 reverb was used to add spatial depth while maintaining the punchy, electronic character that became foundational to hip-hop and electro music.

Production Credits

Producer: Arthur Baker

Engineer: Bob Blank

Recorded at: Unique Recording Studios, NYC

Signal Chain

Instrument: Roland TR-808Shop on Reverb

Processing: Roland VP-330 Vocoder PlusShop on Reverb, AMS RMX16 ReverbShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with the raw sounds of a Roland TR-808 drum machine.
Experiment with vocoding the individual drum sounds, particularly the snare and hi-hats, using a vocoder like the Roland VP-330.
Apply a short, bright reverb to add space and character without washing out the punchiness.

Original Gear

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Roland TR-808Shop on Reverb(drums)
Roland VP-330 Vocoder PlusShop on Reverb(synth)
AMS RMX16 ReverbShop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Roland TR-8SShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Roland TR-808

Hardware recreation with authentic TR-808 samples plus modern sequencing and individual outputs for processing

Arturia DrumBrute ImpactShop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Roland TR-808

Analog drum machine with classic 808-style sounds and built-in distortion for that punchy electro character

Electro-Harmonix V256Shop on Reverb$150-$200

Alternative to: Roland VP-330 Vocoder

Affordable vocoder pedal that can process drum machine outputs to recreate those robotic snare and hi-hat textures

Eventide SpaceShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: AMS RMX16 Reverb

High-end reverb pedal with digital algorithms that can recreate the bright, spacious reverb character of the RMX16

Arturia V Collection (Analog Lab)Plugin Boutique$200-$300

Alternative to: Roland TR-808 + VP-330 + RMX16

Includes software versions of the TR-808, VP-330 vocoder, and vintage reverbs for complete in-the-box recreation

Sources

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drums from “planet rock” by afrika bambaataa & soulsonic force | ToneDB