# RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer vs PO-32 tonic: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer (Behringer) and PO-32 tonic (Teenage Engineering) among drum machines. PO-32 tonic is the cheaper of the two at $89.

## Side by side

| Spec | RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer | PO-32 tonic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $229 | $89 |
| Brand | Behringer | Teenage Engineering |
| Released | 2022-03 | 2017-04 |
| Sound engine | Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip | Sonic Charge Microtonic-derived digital drum/percussion synthesis engine (co-developed with Sonic Charge) |
| Voice count | 16 | 16 sound slots (unlimited additional sounds via Microtonic VST data transfer) |
| Sequencer steps | 64 | 16 |
| Sample playback | No | No |
| Onboard effects | Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping | 16 real-time performance/parameter effects (beat manipulation and sound distortion) |
| Output count | 11 | 1 (3.5mm audio I/O) + built-in speaker |
| Midi support | Yes | No |
| Battery powered | No | Yes |
| Pad count | 0 | 16 |

## Key differences

- Sound engine: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip vs PO-32 tonic Sonic Charge Microtonic-derived digital drum/percussion synthesis engine (co-developed with Sonic Charge)
- Voice count: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 16 vs PO-32 tonic 16 sound slots (unlimited additional sounds via Microtonic VST data transfer)
- Sequencer steps: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 64 vs PO-32 tonic 16
- Onboard effects: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping vs PO-32 tonic 16 real-time performance/parameter effects (beat manipulation and sound distortion)
- Output count: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 11 vs PO-32 tonic 1 (3.5mm audio I/O) + built-in speaker
- Midi support: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Yes vs PO-32 tonic No
- Battery powered: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer No vs PO-32 tonic Yes
- Pad count: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0 vs PO-32 tonic 16

## Sources

- RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: https://www.thomannmusic.com/behringer_rd_8_mkii.htm (thomannmusic.com, verified 2026-08-01)
- PO-32 tonic: https://teenage.engineering/products/po-32 (teenage.engineering, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/behringer-rd-8-mkii-vs-teenage-engineering-po-32-tonic/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer ($229) vs PO-32 tonic ($89) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/behringer-rd-8-mkii-vs-teenage-engineering-po-32-tonic/
License: CC BY 4.0.