Dial in the Perfect 808 with SurferEQ 2

When it comes to shaping 808s, there’s one challenge every producer and mix engineer runs into: they move. 808s don’t stay put. They glide, pitch-shift, bend, and bounce around the mix, and if your EQ stays fixed while your 808 is in motion, chances are you're either over-boosting one note or undercutting another. That’s where SurferEQ 2 comes in. Built for real-time pitch tracking, SurferEQ 2 lets you tie EQ bands directly to the fundamental of your 808 – so your EQ moves with the 808. Whether you're shaping sub weight or adding harmonic definition for smaller speakers on laptops or mobile phones, SurferEQ 2 keeps your tone locked in. It’s not just EQ, it’s EQ that surfs the pitch.

Go Beyond Static EQ: Shape 808s with Precision

Most 808s are not one-note wonders. They slide. They sustain. They wobble. Boosting 50 Hz might work great when the 808 hits a low C, but what happens when it jumps an octave or glides up a few semitones? Your low-end focus disappears, and suddenly the mix feels uneven. Static EQs force you to choose a frequency and stick to it, even when the 808 isn’t. That’s a compromise.

With SurferEQ 2, your EQ band locks to the note being played in real time. That means no matter where your 808 goes, your shaping stays right where it matters.

With SurferEQ, I can have it follow the note. Not only can I have it follow the note, but I can also dial in some harmonics.

—Young Guru, GRAMMY-winning engineer for JAY Z, Earl Sweatshirt, Reuben Vincent

How to Shape 808s with SurferEQ 2

• Load SurferEQ 2 onto your 808 track
  Make sure you're feeding it a clean signal with a strong fundamental.
• Enable Surf on a low-frequency band
  Set it to follow the fundamental. Apply a subtle boost or cut to dial in your low-end weight. The EQ band will follow each note in real time.
• Add a harmonic band
  Enable a second band and set it to track the 2nd or 3rd harmonic. This helps the 808 translate better on smaller speakers and adds clarity in the mids without muddying the mix.
• Optional: Use MIDI Mode for full control
  If your 808 is too complex for clean pitch detection, route MIDI from a dedicated  instrument track into SurferEQ 2. It’s fast, tight, and bulletproof.

Why It Sounds Better

• Focused low end: The sub stays centered no matter what note is playing.
• Better speaker translation: Harmonic boosts give 808s extra presence without sacrificing headroom.
• No more automation gymnastics: Say goodbye to manually riding EQ settings for every glide or bend.
• More musical: The EQ responds to your performance – just like a good mix should.

SurferEQ 2 allows me to easily have a kick drum and a sub-heavy 808 coexist without sacrificing the integrity of either. I won’t mix without it.

—Just Blaze, Multi-platinum Producer for JAY-Z, Beyoncé, Eminem

SurferEQ 2 isn’t just another EQ, it’s a rethink of what tonal shaping should be for modern music production. On 808 Day, there’s no better way to celebrate than by making your low end tighter, deeper, and more dynamic.

Whether you’re producing trap, R&B, electronic, or experimental beats, SurferEQ 2 gives you the control to make every 808 note hit with confidence.

Want your 808s to hit right every time?

Download the free 14-day trial of SurferEQ 2 and start shaping your low end with precision that moves with the music.

Image courtesy of Splice's YouTube video How Demi Lovato & Oak Felder made “Sorry Not Sorry”. Learn more about Splice.