The 808 bass drum dominates UK dance music as an pitched, melodic sound. Distort it through a cheap desk, sample it with a couple of layers and you're away. Drum and bass and dubstep are both built on a foundation of 808s, even if you cant necessarily pick them out.
Here's a video tutorial of some producers walking you through this technique, with a real 808 and an EMU 6400 ultra sampler:
Here's Truly One by Origin Unknown, which uses two 808 samples a semitone apart so that they beat against each other, another of the many many 808 techniques:
Interesting to see the 808 as the foundation of their final kick, but the final result is far from the natural 808 sound. (808 is still a sexy beast tho).
The 909 has been the standard kick for house, techno, et al for a long time with little need for modification.
In the hands of an expert, almost any drum machine can be amazing. For example, I never understood / liked old Alesis drum machines, but wow:
Here's a video tutorial of some producers walking you through this technique, with a real 808 and an EMU 6400 ultra sampler:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yheX4yrOOQI
Here's Truly One by Origin Unknown, which uses two 808 samples a semitone apart so that they beat against each other, another of the many many 808 techniques:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNNg6UYoDTI
(What a record. Feel the rush!)