# DrumBrute Impact vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the DrumBrute Impact (Arturia) and RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer (Behringer) among drum machines. RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer is the cheaper of the two at $229.

## Side by side

| Spec | DrumBrute Impact | RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $299 | $229 |
| Brand | Arturia | Behringer |
| Released | 2018-08 | 2022-03 |
| Sound engine | Fully analog synthesis, 10 fixed analog voices | Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip |
| Voice count | 10 | 16 |
| Sequencer steps | 64 | 64 |
| Sample playback | No | No |
| Onboard effects | Output distortion (bypassable), per-step/per-instrument 'Color' drive/snap/crack shaping, Swing, Pattern Looper and randomness generator | Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping |
| Output count | Master out + 4 optional individual outs (Kick, Snares, Hi-Hats, FM) + headphone | 11 |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | No | No |
| Pad count | 8 | 0 |

## Key differences

- Sound engine: DrumBrute Impact Fully analog synthesis, 10 fixed analog voices vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip
- Voice count: DrumBrute Impact 10 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 16
- Onboard effects: DrumBrute Impact Output distortion (bypassable), per-step/per-instrument 'Color' drive/snap/crack shaping, Swing, Pattern Looper and randomness generator vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping
- Output count: DrumBrute Impact Master out + 4 optional individual outs (Kick, Snares, Hi-Hats, FM) + headphone vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 11
- Pad count: DrumBrute Impact 8 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0

## Sources

- DrumBrute Impact: https://www.arturia.com/products/hardware-synths/drumbrute-impact/overview (arturia.com, verified 2026-08-01)
- RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: https://www.thomannmusic.com/behringer_rd_8_mkii.htm (thomannmusic.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/arturia-drumbrute-impact-vs-behringer-rd-8-mkii/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, DrumBrute Impact ($299) vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer ($229) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/arturia-drumbrute-impact-vs-behringer-rd-8-mkii/
License: CC BY 4.0.