- Audio<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- External hardware<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- Computer<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nRegister the RD-8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
IMPORTANT<\/strong>: You must register your Behringer RD-8 within the first 90 days of purchase to receive the three-year extended warranty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before we dive in, the first thing you will need to do is register the RD-8 with Behringer. When you register the device, you will get a free three-year extended warranty. Keep your Sweetwater invoice handy, as you will need to upload the PDF copy as proof of purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nRD-8 setup and connections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
IMPORTANT: <\/strong>You must use an 18V DC (CENTER POSITIVE<\/em> barrel)<\/em> power supply for the RD-8. If you use the incorrect power supply, there will be no signal at the MONO <\/strong>or Headphone<\/strong> output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The RD-8 TRS audio outputs can easily connect to your live sound mixer or studio recording interface. You can transmit MIDI data over the USB connection or MIDI ports. This makes it easy to synchronize with other devices or record a MIDI performance. Other hardware synthesizers and sequencers can also be synchronized with MIDI or analog clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"RD-8](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/12\/RD-8-Connections-1024x271.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDiagram of the RD-8 connections. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nAudio<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three main audio jacks, all of which are Mono. There is the Mono (main) Out<\/em>, Headphone Out,<\/em> and the Return<\/em>. Both the Mono Out <\/em>and Headphones <\/em>use balanced <\/strong>\u00bc\u201d <\/strong>TRS cables, while the Return <\/em>uses an unbalanced<\/strong> 1\u20444\u201d TS cable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IMPORTANT: <\/strong>The Wave Designer <\/em>and Analog Filter<\/em> sections completely bypass the headphone output, which means you will not hear any of those effects through your headphones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
External hardware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can synchronize your devices such as sequencers and synthesizers with the RD-8. The 3.5mm TRS Sync jacks can be used to connect to external hardware via analog clock. Another option is MIDI, which can also connect to a MIDI interface for DAW synchronization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clock In and Out<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TIP: <\/strong>TRS cables will provide both clock and start\/stop signals. TS cables can only provide a clock signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sync <\/em>connections (analog clock) work by sending pulses per quarter note (PPQN<\/a>), which is a unit of time used for sequencing and automation. For the RD-8 to control your external gear via analog clock, you will need to connect a 3.5mm TRS cable<\/a> from the Sync OUT jack on the RD-8 to the Sync\/Clock IN of the other synthesizer. Alternatively, connect the cable from the Sync OUT jack on the external synth to the Sync\/Clock IN of the RD-8 if you want the external synth to be the master. When synchronizing the RD-8 to another device\u2019s clock (slave device), press the Sync <\/strong>button to switch from INT <\/strong>to CLK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to change the PPQ setting<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By default, the RD-8 is set to send 24 PPQN. If you\u2019re experiencing pitch, pattern, or time issues on the external synth, you will need to adjust the PPQ <\/strong>setting on the RD-8, so they sync correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Press the Settings <\/strong>button, press the Clock <\/strong>step key, and then press the flashing Tap\/Tempo <\/strong>button to select Analog Clk Mode<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Use the data knob to select 1, 2, 4, 24, or 48 PPQ and press Play <\/strong>to begin playback. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nMIDI<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another way to connect to external sequencers is via 5-pin MIDI cables. For the RD-8 to control the external gear, connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT <\/strong>port on the RD-8 to the MIDI IN<\/strong> port on the external device. If synchronizing the RD-8 to another device\u2019s MIDI clock (slave device), press the Sync <\/strong>button to switch from INT <\/strong>to MIDI<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike analog clock, which only sends clock, start, and stop signals, MIDI syncing will also send MIDI note changes, as well. By default, the RD-8 is set to MIDI channel 1<\/strong>. That means if your external synth is also set to MIDI channel 1<\/strong>, any button you press on the RD-8 will also affect the function of the external synth. To get around this, you will need to change the MIDI channel on the RD-8. Follow these steps to change the MIDI channel.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Press the Settings <\/strong>button, press the MIDI <\/strong>step key, and then press the flashing Tap\/Hold <\/strong>button once to select MIDI OUT<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Use the DATA <\/strong>knob to change the MIDI channel of the RD-8. <\/li>
- Press Settings<\/strong> to confirm and return to the Settings menu.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTrigger Out<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three Trigger Out jacks allows you to connect the RD-8 to external synths or drum modules via unbalanced <\/strong>TS cables. Once connected, you can create a pattern on the RD-8 and have the external module trigger it. Each trigger output is assigned to a specific channel on the RD-8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Trigger Out 1<\/em> is assigned to Accent<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Trigger Out 2<\/em> is assigned to Hand Clap<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Trigger Out 3<\/em> is assigned to Cowbell<\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nComputer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Behringer RD-8 MIDI output can also be recorded into your DAW by connecting a USB cable to your computer. The drum sequencer is class-compliant, which means no additional driver software to operate it is necessary. Connect a USB cable from the RD-8 to your computer, enable the RD-8 as a MIDI device, create a MIDI track, and press record in your DAW. If your RD-8 isn’t being recognized, check out our article on Resolving MIDI Device Issues on PC and Mac<\/a><\/strong>.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n- By default, the RD-8 USB MIDI input is set to all MIDI channels. To change this, press the Settings <\/strong>button, press the USB <\/strong>step key, and use the DATA <\/strong>knob to change the MIDI channel.<\/li>
- Turn Forward to MIDI <\/strong>on to send the USB output of the RD-8 to the MIDI output, as well.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Trigger Out 2<\/em> is assigned to Hand Clap<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Use the DATA <\/strong>knob to change the MIDI channel of the RD-8. <\/li>
- Use the data knob to select 1, 2, 4, 24, or 48 PPQ and press Play <\/strong>to begin playback. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- External hardware<\/a><\/strong><\/li>