When it comes to making music, understanding the difference between a kick and an 808 is essential.
A kick provides the rhythmic backbone and energy while an 808 is a low-end sound that adds depth and punch to a song. Kicks are often simple and straightforward, while 808s are more complex as they have a key and short or long sustain.
Both are important components of a track, and understanding their differences can help you create the perfect sound.
What is a Kick?
The kick gets its name from the bass drum, also known as the kick, on a drum set. The bass drum produces a sound when the player presses a kick pedal with their foot which causes a mallet to hit the bass drum to produce the sound.
The kick provides the rhythmic backbone of a song and drives the tempo. The kick is a low-end sound and is often characterized by a powerful thump. It acts as a sonic glue, connecting other elements in a track and forming a cohesive rhythm.
The kick plays a crucial role in determining the overall tempo and feel of a track.
Some kick drums have a lot of low-end, while others have very little. For instance, an Electonic track typically uses a higher-pitched kick to punch through the mix, while a hip-hop track uses a deeper kick.
You can adjust the amount of low-end in a kick to suit the track. A track with a lot of low-end typically has a slower tempo, while a track with a little low-end generally has a faster tempo.
What is an 808?
An 808 gets its name from being a sample that originates from the Roland TR-808 drum machine.
An 808 is a low-frequency sound that adds depth to a track, much like a kick, and is generally used as a supportive element that compliments the kick rather than drives the track forward.
It’s the lowest sound in a track and is usually found following the kick or replacing it completely.
Although it’s not as common to find a track that only uses an 808, as it’s more common for producers to mix and blend 808s with kicks to create a unique sound.
They’re commonly used in trap, dubstep, and other sub-genres. While a kick can be used to drive the tempo and create a rhythm, an 808 is more of a texture that adds low-end and sonic weight to a track.
How Are Kicks and 808s Different?
Kicks and 808s are both low-end sounds, but there are some key differences between them. While kicks typically last for five to 10 milliseconds, 808s are a more complex sound that can last for up to 20 milliseconds.
The longer sound of an 808 means it doesn’t have the same punch as a kick, but can offer a denser texture. Although, 808’s can be created to have a punchy, kick tone initially.
Kicks are usually an isolated sound, while 808s are often combined with kicks.
There are subtle differences between a kick and an 808, and sometimes it’s hard to draw a line between the two. Both are low-end sounds, provide a punchy texture, and drive the rhythm of a track.
Typically the 808 will have to be in the key of the song and would follow what a bass would do, while a kick is a tone that produces a rhythm without regard to being ‘in key’.
Example of a Kick in Music
The Notorious B.I.G.’s song Kick in the Door has a great example of the power of a kick. The kick really drives the song!
Example of an 808 in Music
A Milli by Lil’ Wayne is the perfect example of a song that utilizes the 808, opting to not use a kick at all!
Example of a Kick and 808 in Music
Drakes’s song In My Feeling demonstrates how a kick and 808 sound when used simultaneously. The two sounds complement each other with the kick giving the listener a punchy rhythmic tone and the 808 providing a deep low-end adding to the feel of the song.
Conclusion
The difference between the kick and an 808 is a kick is a percussive instrument used to create a rhythmic feel to a song while an 808 is a replacement for a bass in a track.
Since a kick is a percussive instrument it does not have a key or will be out of the key of a song, while an 808 is a bass instrument that requires to be in key.
An 808 can replace a kick in a song depending on how it is created, but a kick cannot replace an 808.