The
Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer (a.k.a. the "
808") was one of the first programmable
drum machines ("TR" standing for
Transistor Rhythm). Introduced by the
Roland Corporation in the early 1980s, it was originally manufactured for use as a tool for studio musicians to create
demos. Like earlier Roland drum machines, it does not sound very much like a real drum kit. However, the TR-808 cost US$1,195 upon its release, which was considerably more affordable than digital sampling machines such as the US$5,000
Linn LM-1. Indeed, one journalist's contemporary comparison of analog drum machines in general to "marching anteaters" has often been believed to refer to the TR-808 in particular.