The Ultimate 808 Crash Course For Beginners in FL Studio

Before anything else, there’s one step that makes or breaks everything. If this isn’t done correctly, pretty much everything that follows becomes worthless.

Your 808 must be tuned to C.

This is non-negotiable.

To do this, you simply:

  • Open your 808
  • Right-click
  • Go to Edit
  • Open Pitch Corrector

Once it’s tuned to C, you’re good to go.

Another option is using a tuning website like Tunebat. Just drag and drop your 808 sample in. If it says C major, you’re set. If it shows another note—let’s say D—all you need to do is:

  • Click the wrench tool
  • Select D
  • Retune it

That’s it. Simple, but critical.

Why Most 808s Don’t Knock

The biggest reason most 808s don’t hit has nothing to do with the 808 itself.

It’s everything around it.

Cut the Competition

If you’re using melodic elements—pianos, synths, pads—pull up an EQ on them and cut around 200 Hz.

That area is where the bulk of the 808 lives.

If other sounds are sitting there:

  • The 808 gets masked
  • The low end feels weak
  • The mix sounds crowded

Cutting that space gives your 808 room to breathe.

Volume Matters More Than You Think

Another essential rule:

  • Your melodies should not be loud
  • They should sit significantly quieter than the 808

When everything else is lower in level, the 808 automatically feels louder and hits harder—without needing extra processing.

808 Placement: Where the Power Comes From

Following Chords

If your track uses chords, the most natural place to start is simple:

Put your 808 on the bottom note of the chord.

If that doesn’t sound right, experiment with other notes inside that chord.

Working With Samples

Samples are trickier.

One of the hardest parts of using samples is knowing where to put your 808.

If you don’t know the key:

  • Drop the sample into a tuning tool
  • Identify the key

For example, if the sample is in A♭ (G♯) minor, your first 808 note should land on G♯.

From there, listen closely:

  • If the sample doesn’t change for a while, your 808 doesn’t need to either
  • When you hear movement, that’s where note changes make sense

You can also:

  • Open the chopped sample
  • Use pitch detection
  • See which notes are actually being used

That alone can guide your entire 808 pattern.

Simplicity Is the Real Secret

When placing 808 notes, less almost always works better.

A useful approach:

  • Focus changes toward the end of every two bars
  • Let patterns breathe
  • Avoid overplaying

Less is more.

This gives artists space—and honestly, overcomplication is one reason many beats don’t sell. Even when they sound good, they can feel too busy.

Adding Bounce Without Overdoing It

Some easy ways to add movement:

  • Shift a note slightly off-grid
  • Add a few shorter chops at the beginning of a phrase
  • Move one hit later than expected

These small changes create bounce without clutter.

Using Variation to Keep Loops Alive

A simple trick that works every time:

Add variation in bars seven and eight of an eight-bar loop.

You don’t need to rewrite the pattern. Sometimes:

  • One extra cut
  • One note removed
  • One subtle change

That’s enough to make the loop resolve naturally and keep it from getting boring.

The Relationship Between Kick and 808

Your kick and 808 go hand in hand.

Depending on the 808:

  • Some are very subby
  • Others already have punch at the front

When to Add a Kick

If your 808 is very sub-heavy, adding a kick can help it hit harder. In some cases, placing the kick on the same notes works perfectly.

But with punchy 808s:

  • Adding a kick may not change much
  • The 808 already does that job

Polarity Makes a Difference

One simple but effective trick is reversing polarity on the kick.

This helps:

  • The kick cut through the 808
  • Reduce phase issues
  • Improve clarity

Turning it on and off can instantly reveal the difference.

Creating Bounce Between Kick and 808

Even if the kick usually hits with the 808, you don’t have to keep it that way.

Some effective approaches:

  • Remove the kick in certain spots
  • Add the kick where the 808 isn’t playing
  • Let the 808 drop out briefly, then come back in

These gaps make the return hit harder and create groove.

Making the Kick Hit Harder With Sidechain Ducking

If your kick still isn’t cutting through, there’s another option.

Instead of traditional volume sidechaining:

  • Sidechain your kick to the 808
  • Use a frequency-based tool like Soothe2

This method:

  • Ducks only the conflicting frequencies
  • Keeps the 808 present
  • Makes the kick feel louder without reducing overall energy

Adding Interest Without Crowding the Mix

Octave Changes

One of the simplest techniques:

  • Take shorter 808 notes
  • Push them up an octave

This works especially well:

  • Toward the end of four-bar sections
  • As subtle ear candy

Using Slides Properly

To slide 808s effectively:

  • Use longer 808 samples
  • Enable slide mode
  • Remember:
    • Longer slides = smoother movement
    • Shorter slides = quicker transitions

Slides can move:

  • Up an octave
  • Between nearby notes in the scale

It’s mostly trial and error, but when it works, it really works.

Switching Between Two 808s

Using multiple 808s can sound great—but only if done correctly.

First, they must cut each other:

  • Assign both 808s to the same cut group number

From there, you have options:

  • Alternate 808s across song sections
  • Swap specific hits within a pattern
  • Keep the rhythm consistent

Rhythm is everything here. Random switches won’t work.

Reversing 808s for Texture

Another quick technique:

  • Click Reverse on an 808 hit

Used sparingly, this creates:

  • Unique transitions
  • Unexpected movement
  • Extra character

EQ and Effects That Actually Matter

Cleaning the Low End

A common approach is cutting:

  • 20–30 Hz on the 808

This removes low-end mud and tightens the bass.

However, not everyone agrees. Some engineers avoid this because certain speakers can reproduce those frequencies. It’s optional—use your ears.

Shaping Presence

You can:

  • Identify where the 808 hits hardest
  • Boost slightly
  • Pull out highs to help it stand out

Just be careful:

  • Watch for clipping
  • Always check your levels

Centering the Low End

The lowest frequencies of your 808 should stay dead center.

Higher frequencies can be slightly wider for extra presence, but the sub needs focus.

A simple way to do this:

  • Use a multiband tool
  • Isolate the low band
  • Collapse it to mono

This keeps the foundation solid.

Saturation: Small Moves, Big Impact

Saturation can completely change how an 808 feels.

Using a tool like Saturn 2 gives control over:

  • Harmonics
  • Tone
  • Weight

But be careful:

  • Push it too hard and the 808 gets thin
  • Distortion can kill the low end

There’s a sweet spot—find it and stop there.

These are small, precise adjustments, but together they’re what make an 808 hit harder, cleaner, and more intentional.