Saturday Synth Porn: This video, via Eekkoo, is more gear porn than tutorial.

The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer was one of the first programmable drum machines (TR standing Transistor Rhythm). Introduced by the Roland Corporation in early 1980. It was originally manufactured for use as a tool for studio musicians to create demos, but like other Roland gear of the day, found new life as musicians accepted it for its own merits.