Behringer
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer
$229Cheaper
Released 2022-03
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer vs SR-18
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer is cheaper at $229. Every spec and price links to its source.
Alesis
SR-18
$399
Released 2008
Which is better: the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer or SR-18?
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 | 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 |
Sources — RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: thomannmusic.com (verified 2026-08-01). SR-18: alesisdrums.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer and SR-18?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (8 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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 false vs SR-18 true
- 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 false vs SR-18 true
- Pad count: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0 vs SR-18 12