I use a Roland MSQ-100 which has both midi and sync connections (same wire type) and accepts a midi start signal translates it to roland sync 24 viola, it holds the tempo perfectly and the timing is dead on.

Also Doepfer makes the MSY-24 which is a little expensive but does the same thing as the MSQ and is just as accurate too.

Novations drum station also will work too, I'm not so sure on timing I hear it's not that great but do-able.

Converting midi to sync is easy and makes the 808 useful even in the late 90's.

-Nubey true 808 lover

1. The sound, obviously. 2. The programming interface and hands on approach (nowadays, this is the best reason to own one) 3. The individual audio outs

Bad points? They're a pain in the arse to sync/slave compared to more 'modern' gear. (the midi in the 909 is very embryonic!). The best reason to use samples, if there was one... talking of which...the 808 does lend itself to sampling, contrary to what you may hear elsewhere (not the case with the 909 though, sampling kills it as far as I'm concerned)... but remember, the actual 'sounds' are only part of the story; there's no better (or quicker!) interface on any drum machine. For me,the best reason wanting these machines is for the long history they have. Nothing beats the real thing.

That said, and while I miss it dearly, I don't need it, and rarely used it as the foundation of a track. I usually programmed a pattern and sampled that to sync to a tempo(I had no other CV devices). I usually ended up just using it as a toy. Also, I had settings where I liked the sound of the box the best. BD decay cranked, snare tuned down and snappied, cymbal tuned up and decay cranked. I ended up making an AWESOME sample set for this box. Its more fun to pitch the kick up and down anyway, so I say sample this box and use a real sequencer(I didn't say computer, I said real sequencer)

The 808 sequencer iseasy and intuitive, but it is also easy to get stuck in a creative rut with it.

While I truely love this box, and will always credit it as the ultimate drum machine, its time has passed, move on... SAME THING GOES DOUBLE FOR YOU 909 and TB HEADS OUT THERE.

Be original, make others copy your sound. Damn I hate that same 4 on the floor beat that has been around since 88-89. Even CHER uses it, now you know its time to lay it to rest...... I say F**K the xox's and sample them. Better yet make you own sounds with all of the new noise makers available.....