How To Tune 808 Samples Properly

No more out of tune 808s! Here’s how to tune 808 samples properly.

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What’s the biggest rookie mistake you can make as a beatmaker? Out of tune 808s, of course! Here’s a foolproof way to get your 808 samples in key.

First, identify the root key of your song. I like to use a basic sawtooth synth and play along until I hit the root note.

Then try loading a tuner plugin on your 808. But beware… 808 samples often have pitchbends baked in, so tuners can be wrong.

My foolproof method is to play the 808 over a sawtooth C note, then transpose the 808 by ear to C.

If the 808 is too deep to hear its pitch clearly, distort it for more tone.

Then, once tuned to C, play a MIDI riff in the key of your song. Job done!