Basic Commands

• npm run new -- "<title>" - Create a new post (use _title for drafts)
• npm run update-theme - Fetch upstream theme changes for review

Main Files & Directories

• src/content/about/about.md - Edit the about section of the index page. Leave it empty if you don’t want any content.
• src/content/posts/ - All blog posts are stored here
• src/config.ts - Configure main site info and settings

// Site Info
site: {
  website: 'https://chiri.the3ash.com/', // Site domain
  title: 'CHIRI', // Site title
  author: '3ASH', // Author name
  description: 'Minimal blog built by Astro', // Site description
  language: 'en-US' // Default language
},

// General Settings
general: {
  contentWidth: '35rem', // Content area width
  centeredLayout: true, // Use centered layout (false for left-aligned)
  themeToggle: false, // Show theme toggle button (uses system theme by default)
  postListDottedDivider: false, // Show dotted divider in post list
  footer: true, // Show footer
  fadeAnimation: true // Enable fade animations
},

// Date Settings
date: {
  dateFormat: 'YYYY-MM-DD', // Date format: YYYY-MM-DD, MM-DD-YYYY, DD-MM-YYYY, MONTH DAY YYYY, DAY MONTH YYYY
  dateSeparator: '.', // Date separator: . - / (except for MONTH DAY YYYY and DAY MONTH YYYY)
  dateOnRight: true // Date position in post list (true for right, false for left)
},

// Post Settings
post: {
  readingTime: false, // Show reading time in posts
  toc: true, // Show table of contents (when there is enough page width)
  imageViewer: true, // Enable image viewer
  copyCode: true, // Enable copy button in code blocks
  linkCard: true, // Enable link card
  katex: true // Enable KaTeX math rendering
}

Post Frontmatter

Only title and pubDate are required. The site language is Korean; use language: 'en-US' for English posts.

---
title: 'Post Title'
pubDate: '2025-07-10'
language: 'en-US'
description: 'A short, specific summary of this post.'
# updatedDate: '2026-09-07' # Only after a meaningful content update
# image: '/og/posts/example.jpg'
# imageAlt: 'Describe the representative image'
---

Store social images inside public/, for example public/og/posts/example.jpg, and use the public URL /og/posts/example.jpg in frontmatter. PNG or JPEG at 1200 × 630 is a useful sharing format. WebP and GIF are also supported.

An omitted image, an invalid path, a filename with incorrect letter casing, or a broken image uses /og/default.png. Invalid custom images produce a build warning; a broken default image fails the build. Replace public/og/default.png to change the shared default card.

If description is empty, visible prose from the post supplies a short summary. JSON-LD, page descriptions, Open Graph tags, Twitter cards, and feeds use the same summary. A custom image should represent the article, because it also appears in the article’s structured data. The generic default card is used for sharing but is omitted from the article’s structured image data.

Set updatedDate only after changing the content. It must be on or after pubDate and updates the visible modification date, structured data, sitemap, and Atom feed without changing the original publication date. Builds alone never change content dates.

Syntax Highlighting

You can configure the theme via shikiConfig in astro.config.ts.

More details: Syntax Highlighting | Astro Docs

import { defineConfig } from 'astro/config'

export default defineConfig({
  markdown: {
    shikiConfig: {
      themes: {
        light: 'github-light',
        dark: 'github-dark'
      },
      wrap: false
    }
  }
})

Preview of Some Features

Paragraph

Here’s a practical example of a paragraph in Markdown. This text demonstrates how content flows naturally in a blog post.

You can use various formatting options like bold, italic, strikethrough, and code within your paragraphs.

Blockquotes

Don’t communicate by sharing memory, share memory by communicating.
— Rob Pike¹

Ordered List

1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third item

Unordered List

• Item
  • Subitem
  • Subitem

Task List

• First item
• Second item
• Third item

Image

To hide the caption, start it with an underscore _ or leave the alt text empty.

Tables

Code Blocks

// Button.jsx

const Button = ({ text, onClick }) => {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0)

  const handleClick = () => {
    setCount(count + 1)
    onClick?.()
  }

  return (
    <button className="btn" onClick={handleClick}>
      {text} ({count})
    </button>
  )
}

Other Elements — sub, sup, abbr, kbd, mark

H₂O

Xⁿ + Yⁿ = Zⁿ

GIF is a bitmap image format.

Press CTRL + ALT + Delete to end the session.

Most salamanders are nocturnal, and hunt for insects, worms, and other small creatures.

::link{url="https://xxxxx.xxx"}

::spotify{url="https://open.spotify.com/type/xxxxx"}

::youtube{url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx"}

::bilibili{url="https://www.bilibili.com/video/xxxxx"}

::github{repo="username/repo"}

::x{url="https://x.com/username/status/xxxxx"}

::neodb{url="https://neodb.social/category/xxxxx"}

🟡

When embedded content is still loading,
the table of contents positioning may be inaccurate.

Link Card

Pitchfork

Ichiko Aoba: Luminescent Creatures

Read Dash Lewis’ review of the album.

🟡

Link Card metadata is fetched automatically during `npm run dev` and `npm run build`.
Run `npm run update-link-metadata -- --force` to refresh existing entries.

-

To disable Link Card, set `linkCard: false` in `src/config.ts`.
Restart `npm run dev` for the change to take effect.

Spotify

YouTube

BiliBili

GitHub

X Post

NeoDB (CN Only)

Examples

• Inline math: E=mc2E = mc^2E=mc2
• Block math:

Ref

• KaTeX Documentation

Callout

Button

Tag

Ref

• MDX Syntax Documentation
• Astro Usage Documentation

The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, often simply called the “808,” is one of the most influential electronic instruments ever created. Despite its initial commercial failure, this drum machine went on to shape entire genres of music and become a cultural icon. This is the story of how a machine designed to replace drummers ended up revolutionizing music production.

The Birth of the 808

In the late 1970s, Roland Corporation was looking to create an affordable drum machine that could compete with the expensive Linn LM-1, which was the first drum machine to use digital samples. The company’s engineers, led by Ikutaro Kakehashi, set out to create something different—a machine that would use analog synthesis to generate drum sounds rather than digital samples.

The development team faced several challenges:

1. Cost constraints - The machine needed to be affordable for home musicians
2. Sound design - Creating realistic drum sounds using only analog circuits
3. User interface - Making it intuitive for musicians to program rhythms

“We wanted to create something that would make drummers obsolete, but instead we created something that made everyone want to be a drummer.” — Ikutaro Kakehashi

The “Failed” Launch

When the TR-808 was released in 1980, it was met with disappointing sales. The machine cost $1,195 (approximately $4,000 in today’s dollars) and was criticized for its “unrealistic” drum sounds. Professional studios preferred the more expensive Linn LM-1, which used actual drum samples.

The 808’s analog sounds were considered too electronic and artificial:

• The kick drum was too boomy and lacked the punch of real drums
• The snare had a distinctive “clap” sound that sounded nothing like a real snare
• The hi-hats were metallic and harsh
• The toms had a characteristic “boing” sound

Roland discontinued the TR-808 in 1983 after selling only about 12,000 units, considering it a commercial failure.

The Hip-Hop Revolution

The TR-808’s fortunes changed dramatically when hip-hop producers discovered its unique sound. In the early 1980s, young producers in New York, particularly in the Bronx, began experimenting with the machine.

Key early adopters included Afrika Bambaataa who used the 808 on “Planet Rock” (1982), Marley Marl who pioneered the use of 808 kicks in hip-hop, Rick Rubin who incorporated 808 sounds in early Def Jam recordings, and The Bomb Squad who used 808s extensively in Public Enemy’s production.

The 808’s distinctive kick drum became the foundation of hip-hop’s rhythmic backbone. Its deep, resonant bass sound could shake entire neighborhoods when played through powerful sound systems.

The Miami Bass Phenomenon

In the mid-1980s, the TR-808 found another home in Miami, where it became the centerpiece of a new genre called Miami Bass or Booty Bass. Producers like 2 Live Crew made the 808 kick drum the star of their tracks, DJ Magic Mike created entire albums built around 808 patterns, and Luke Skyywalker used 808s to create the signature Miami sound.

The 808’s ability to produce extremely low frequencies made it perfect for the car audio culture that was emerging in Miami, where bass-heavy music became a status symbol.

Electronic Music and Dance

The TR-808’s influence extended far beyond hip-hop. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, it became essential in house music and techno. Frankie Knuckles and Marshall Jefferson used 808s in early Chicago house, while the machine’s hi-hats and claps became signature sounds of house music. Its programmable sequencer allowed for complex rhythmic patterns.

In techno music, Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson (the Belleville Three) incorporated 808s into Detroit techno. The machine’s futuristic sounds fit perfectly with techno’s robotic aesthetic, and its affordability made it accessible to bedroom producers.

The 808 in Modern Music

Even today, the TR-808 continues to influence music production through software emulations and hardware reissues. Roland Cloud offers the official software version of the 808, Native Instruments includes 808 samples in their libraries, and Ableton Live features 808-inspired drum racks.

Hardware reissues include the Roland TR-08 boutique series reissue, the Roland TR-8S modern drum machine with 808 sounds, and the Behringer RD-8 affordable clone of the original.

Cultural Impact

The TR-808 has transcended its role as a musical instrument to become a cultural symbol. It has influenced fashion with 808-inspired clothing and accessories, art with visual artists incorporating 808 imagery in their work, film through documentaries and movies about the machine’s impact, and literature with books and articles celebrating its legacy.

“The 808 didn’t just change music—it changed culture. It gave a voice to communities that didn’t have access to expensive studio equipment.” — Questlove

The Enduring Legacy

The Roland TR-808’s story is a perfect example of how failure can lead to innovation. What was initially considered a commercial flop became one of the most important musical instruments of the 20th century.

Key lessons from the 808 story include embracing imperfection (the 808’s “flaws” became its greatest strengths), understanding that accessibility matters (affordable tools can democratize music creation), recognizing that community adoption is crucial (users often find creative applications designers never imagined), and appreciating that timeless design remains relevant for decades.

The TR-808’s influence continues to grow, proving that sometimes the most revolutionary innovations come from unexpected places. From its humble beginnings as a “failed” drum machine to its status as a cultural icon, the 808 has truly earned its place in music history.

The TR-808 may have been discontinued in 1983, but its beat goes on, inspiring new generations of musicians and producers to create the music of tomorrow.