Behringer
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer
$229
Released 2022-03
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer vs PO-32 tonic
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. PO-32 tonic is cheaper at $89. Every spec and price links to its source.
Teenage Engineering
PO-32 tonic
$89Cheaper
Released 2017-04
Which is better: the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer or PO-32 tonic?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The PO-32 tonic is the cheaper at $89.
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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 | 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 |
Sources — RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: thomannmusic.com (verified 2026-08-01). PO-32 tonic: teenage.engineering (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer and PO-32 tonic?
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 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 true vs PO-32 tonic false
- Battery powered: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer false vs PO-32 tonic true
- Pad count: RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0 vs PO-32 tonic 16