Published in the February 2008 issue of DJ Times Magazine
Volume 21 - Number 2
By Phil Moffa

Nepheton: Kicks Like an 808

The Beastie Boys were right when they spat these lines: “Make no mistake/Nothing sounds quite like an 808.”

Truly the Godfather of all great drum machines, Roland’s TR-808 has a thump to its kick and a timeless signature kit that still is unmatched today. It was the box used by Afrika Bambaataa and Arthur Baker to make “Planet Rock” in 1982 and countless other producers used it to create hundreds of the greatest tracks in dance-music history. Considering that the TR-808 was created in 1980, the quantity of still-functioning units is shrinking and its lack of MIDI makes it incompatible with most modern computer setups. Polish company d16 has created the VST plug-in Nepheton to give the world a software substitute with all the unit’s original features, plus a bunch of new controls for today’s beat makers.

At first glance, the interface resembles the original in its color scheme, but it doesn’t take long to see there’s a lot more going on here. For starters, there are preset sound banks and more ways of shaping the instruments than before. The bass drum now has a sweep control that affects the release time of the frequency envelope. To me, it sounded more like a tuning knob. There is a decay setting on the congas, toms, claves, and rim shot. It should also be noted that these instruments were once controlled by a switch where it was one or the other, and now it is possible to have congas and toms or cowbells and claps within the same sequence. This is a very welcome new feature.

Other developments: The hi-hats and cymbal are now tunable. The clap is also tunable and has a knob to control reverb amount. A new instrument, Laser Gun, has been added to the arsenal. It is a blippy sound reminiscent of classic Kraftwerk. In the old days, producers would use the analog trigger outputs to get this sound, but now it is part of the kit and shaped by three parameters. The creators at d16 spared no expense, though, and in the outputs menu, the original trigger output sound is available.

Individual outputs for each instrument is a feature on the original TR-808 that’s essential for a proper mixdown. The Nepheton ups the ante by providing flexible output configurations. For example, the open and closed hi-hats can be routed to the same fader—that’s something I always wished my 808 had. Each instrument can also be muted or soloed.

The 808’s 16-step sequencer has been the model for many drum machines, hardware and software alike. Of course, it was limited to 32 16-step patterns and now computer storage has made pattern memory virtually infinite. Patterns can be up to two bars long and, using the classic A-B Switch, they can be linked in pairs for a total of four measures. Patterns 13-16 are still reserved for fills, which can be triggered by the tap button or triggered automatically by the Measures Auto Fill In Knob.

One great addition is the Shuffle Knob, which is something I always wanted on this machine. Also included is a Randomizer as a cure for those “writer’s block” moments. Copying and pasting patterns is now possible, which is something Roland didn’t get right until it released the TR-909.

Back before there was MIDI, an all-analog device had to be controlled by the knobs on the box. This time around, all parameters can be MIDI learned and recorded for automation and external control. The Nepheton can be internally sequenced or simply used as a soft synth that receives MIDI notes to play its parts. Now all of these modern amenities are great, but how does this thing sound?

Well, as a TR-808 owner and a hardcore hardware junkie, I will say that there’s nothing like the real thing. There may never come a day where a computer emulates an analog circuit with total authenticity. That being said, the Nepheton comes very close and, as a $200 download from the d16 site (www.d16.pl), it buries any sample library out there. Its “tweakability” and modern features make it a very reasonable alternative to dropping more than $1,200 on eBay for a 27-year-old gamble.

If you have any questions for Phil Moffa or Making Tracks, please send them to djimes@testa.com.