Nepheton 2
by D16 Group · Drum Instrument · TR-808 drum machine emulation
Not rated yet
A software emulation of the Roland TR-808 with 17 synthesised sounds, a step sequencer, per-instrument channel strips and two effects buses.
It is used for classic 808 kicks, snares, claps, hats and cowbells in hip-hop, trap, electro and pop, with extra shaping beyond the original machine.
Best for: Drums. Genres: Hip-Hop & Trap, Electronic & EDM, Pop, R&B & Soul.
Keywords: drum machine, hardware emulation, classic, sequencer, 80s, preset-driven, randomize, resizable UI, vintage.
What it does
Nepheton 2 is D16's second-generation emulation of the Roland TR-808, aiming to reproduce "all the nuances of the 808 booming sounds".
- Sounds: 17 fully synthesised percussion sounds, modelled on the original machine.
- Sequencer: an advanced step sequencer with tap recording, a randomiser, flams and sub-steps, and drag-and-drop MIDI export.
- Mixing: per-instrument channel strips with EQ and compression, two effect buses (distortion, reverb, delay, chorus, EQ, dynamics) and a master section with a 3-band compressor and limiter.
- Hardware links: audible trigger outputs for driving external gear, and a MIDI drum map editor.
- Presets: over 1,200 factory presets and patterns; multiple UI sizes with HiDPI support.
Source: D16 Group product page
When to use it
Nepheton 2 is for when you want the 808 itself, not a sample of it. Unlike the sample players Battery 4, XO and Nerve, or open-ended drum synths such as DrumComputer and Microtonic, Nepheton 2 models one classic machine closely and adds mixing, effects and a modern sequencer around it.
- Best for: tuned 808 kicks, classic claps and hats, and programming 808 patterns the way the hardware works.
- Genres: hip-hop and trap, electro, house, pop and R&B.
- Look elsewhere if: you need a 909 (Drumazon 2), acoustic drums, or a sampler for your own sounds (Battery 4, XO).
What producers say
Recent coverage mostly comes from buyer's guides.
- LANDR (2026 guide) lists D16 Group's drum machines first among its paid drum plugins.
- Musician Wave (2026 drum machine guide) picks Nepheton as its TR-808 emulation.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $119
- Plugin Boutique: $119
- PluginFox: $135
- AudioDeluxe: $135
- D16 Group: $135.12 (Listed at €119; converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Tutorials and reviews
- First look at NEPHETON 2 from D16 - they nail it yet again!
- D16 Group - Nepheton 2
- Nepheton 2 Drum Machine by D16 (No Talking)
- D16 Group Nepheton 2 -Revisión Oficial en Español-
- D16's Nepehton 2.....not another 808 clone?!
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