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Behringer Rhythm Designer RD-8 Mk2 Analog Drum Machine

Analog Drum Machine, with 16 Sounds, Analog Filter and Wave Designer Effects, 11 Individual Outputs, MIDI In/Out/Thru, USB, 3 Trigger Outs, and Sync I/O
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Item ID: RD8Mk2
Behringer Rhythm Designer RD-8 Mk2 Analog Drum Machine
Price:$319 and 00 cents
$54.00 suggested monthly payments with 6 month financing‡

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Behringer Rhythm Designer RD-8 Mk2 Analog Drum Machine
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Price:$319 and 00 cents
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Legendary Boom and Sizzle

The Behringer RD-8 analog drum machine packs the world's most famous drum machine into a familiar retro-inspired package. Experience the same snappy snare, clicky rimshot, sizzling hi-hats, and one-of-a-kind cowbell, along with the massive bass drum sound that changed the world forever. Harness the sound made famous by artists such as Marvin Gaye (“Sexual Healing”), Afrika Bambaataa (“Planet Rock”), and countless others. Plus, the MKII edition includes a V662 OTA sound chip to provide the most authentic 808 experience yet! If you want a classic analog drum machine for your studio, Sweetwater is sure you’ll be impressed with the Behringer RD-8 analog drum machine.

16 analog drum sounds

Just like the original, the Behringer RD-8 offers 16 analog drum sounds to create with. Accents can be added to every sound for more dynamic performances. And to support modern workflows, the RD-8 features 11 independent outputs, allowing you to process and record your sounds independently. Speaking of workflow options, you’ll also find USB connectivity, MIDI in/out/thru, trigger outputs, and sync I/O.

Craft full songs and performances with Pattern Mode and Song Mode

Starting from its 64-step sequencer, the RD-8 is capable of saving up to 256 custom patterns. From there, you can use Pattern Mode to arrange patterns into complete songs, and even program the number of repeats for each song part. For full performances, Song Mode allows you to chain complete songs together — perfect for live sets or more complex arrangements. Up to 16 songs can be saved for instant recall at any time.

Automatable stereo analog filter

The RD-8 adds to the sonic flexibility of the original unit by adding a stereo analog filter. This dual-mode (LPF/HPF) filter gives you dedicated cutoff and resonance controls, and knob movements can be recorded as part of your pattern.

Behringer RD-8 MKII Analog Drum Machine Features:

  • Re-creation of a classic analog drum machine with 16 sounds
  • V662 OTA sound chip provides the most authentic 808 experience yet
  • Modern workflow enhancements include USB connectivity and MIDI I/O/T
  • Trigger outs and Sync I/O for integrating modular gear
  • Craft patterns with the 64-step sequencer, with support for polyrhythms, step repeats, note repeats, real-time triggering, track muting, and track soloing
  • Built-in effects bus with stereo analog filter (HPF/LPF) and Wave Designer
  • Pattern mode allows you to chain patterns into full songs, Song mode chains songs into a complete performance or extended composition
  • Store a total of 256 patterns and 16 full songs
  • Songs and Patterns can be imported/exported during playback for unlimited performance potential
  • MIDI in/out/thru and USB connectivity for comprehensive external control
  • Sync with other gear via USB, MIDI, Clock, or internal clock
  • 11 analog outputs allow you to record and process sounds individually
  • Probability parameter allows you to create grooves that vary over time

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Analog Drum Machine with Sequencer
  • Pads: 16 x Step Buttons
  • Sounds: Reproduction 662 OTA Chip: 16 x Drum Sounds
  • Polyphony: 11-voice (12 including global accent)
  • Patterns: 256 (16 songs, 16 patterns each)
  • Sequencer: 64 steps
  • Effects: Dual-mode Analog Filter, Wave Designer
  • Analog Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (return)
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x 1/4" TRS (main/mono), 11 x 1/4" TS (voice out)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4" TRS (stereo)
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/Thru/USB
  • Other I/O: 3 x 1/4" (trigger out), 1 x 1/8" (sync in), 1 x 1/8" (sync out)
  • USB: 1 x Type B 2.0
  • Power Source: 18V DC power supply (included)
  • Height: 3.0"
  • Width: 19.6"
  • Depth: 10.4"
  • Weight: 6.6 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 0704-AAO86-US1

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Reviews

Power House True Analog Recreation of Roland TR-808
I have been recording and producing for about 40 years. I produce techno, synthpop, new wave, teen pop, pop rock, and electronic dance music. We produced a track with the Behringer RD-8 Mark II on Lysette Lee's Pop til U Drop.

This machine is pure analog. It's not a plug in or virtual this or that. It is the real deal. Roland ran out of its original TR-808 chips many years ago, and of course no longer produces the TR-808. That left desperate producers having to pay about $ for a TR-808 on the used online market places. That's ridiculous.

For around $, I got a real analog drum machine. The RD-8 Mark II version, has a chip that truly emulates the original TR-808 chip. Its kick is awesome, because you can adjust the decay. I am not into hip hop or rap, but I bet those artists will grab this baby and use it to produce tracks that will shake everyone's car at the traffic intersection.

I have the Roland R-8 Mark II and TD-20 module. They have sampled TR-808 and TR-909 sounds that sound good, but they do not touch the authentic analog kick of this Behringer RD-8 Mark II. I had the Mark I and sold it because I knew the Mark II was coming out. The Mark I version of the RD-8 was awesome too - way better than any plug in, and probably better than any virtual drum machine. I just wanted the Mark II because its chip is more authentic.
Music background: Professional Recording Artist, Manager, Producer, Casting Director, Director
Just buy it.
If you've always enjoyed the sounds of the original Roland TR-808, this will satisfy you to no end. Sure, there are ways to create beats and rhythms which are free or easily done entirely in a computer DAW, but this is infinitely cooler. I prefer having this piece of hardware to simply using software and it's not just for the sake of the sounds, which are authentic. The Behringer RD-8 is so much fun to use and it is far more flexible than I've attempted to exploit. I've now done tons of songs with this after initially buying this just to see if it really sounded as authentic in real life as it does in tons of YouTube reviews. For about $350, this upgraded clone is an unbeatable way to achieve the next best thing to owning an original 40+ year old unit.
Music background: Extensive and random.
A great time
The rd-8 is a great drum machine, full nostalgic of older music, and functionality.
Fantastic beats for the buck!
TR-808 heaven for sure!
It is so sweet to have this
driving my other synthesizer gear!
SYNC IN & OUT work great!
It's so easy to use, instant beats!
And it's all ANALOG!
2 day shipping is excellent, too!
Music background: Ambient & Electronic
Still an analog drum machine…but, it’s the best one around
I've had lots of drum machines, incl the Roland TRs, RD-8Mk1, and samplers. Btw, this unit is 98% the same as the RD-8 Mk1; just a few tweaks to some sounds.

Downsides:
It's a bit physically large.
It doesn't have a ton of parameters to tweak like a digital groovebox or sampler.
The mixer knobs (levels) means that I run this to a separate mixer with faders.
You can't use the onboard filter with the individual outs.

Upsides:
Individual. instrument. outs.
It's the best sounding 808 instrument this side of $
Music background: up-and-coming electronic producer