# RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer vs SR-18: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer (Behringer) and SR-18 (Alesis) among drum machines. RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer is the cheaper of the two at $229.

## Side by side

| Spec | RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer | SR-18 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $229 | $399 |
| Brand | Behringer | Alesis |
| Released | 2022-03 | 2008 |
| Sound engine | Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip | Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback |
| Voice count | 16 | 32 |
| Sequencer steps | 64 | Variable pattern length, 1-128 beats (no fixed step grid); 16th-note default quantization/resolution |
| Sample playback | No | Yes |
| Onboard effects | Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping | Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing) |
| Output count | 11 | 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | No | Yes |
| Pad count | 0 | 12 |

## Key differences

- Sound engine: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip vs SR-18 Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback
- Voice count: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 16 vs SR-18 32
- Sequencer steps: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 64 vs SR-18 Variable pattern length, 1-128 beats (no fixed step grid); 16th-note default quantization/resolution
- Sample playback: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer No vs SR-18 Yes
- Onboard effects: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping vs SR-18 Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing)
- Output count: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 11 vs SR-18 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone
- Battery powered: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer No vs SR-18 Yes
- Pad count: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0 vs SR-18 12

## Sources

- RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: https://www.thomannmusic.com/behringer_rd_8_mkii.htm (thomannmusic.com, verified 2026-08-01)
- SR-18: https://www.alesisdrums.com/multipads-and-drum-machines/sr18/ (alesisdrums.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/behringer-rd-8-mkii-vs-alesis-sr-18/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer ($229) vs SR-18 ($399) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/behringer-rd-8-mkii-vs-alesis-sr-18/
License: CC BY 4.0.