Arturia
DrumBrute Impact
$299
Released 2018-08
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
DrumBrute Impact vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer is cheaper at $229. Every spec and price links to its source.
Behringer
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer
$229Cheaper
Released 2022-03
Which is better: the DrumBrute Impact or RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer is the cheaper at $229.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| 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 |
Sources — DrumBrute Impact: arturia.com (verified 2026-08-01). RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: thomannmusic.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the DrumBrute Impact and RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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