# Digitakt II vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: specs and price compared

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

## Side by side

| Spec | Digitakt II | RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $999 | $229 |
| Brand | Elektron | Behringer |
| Released | 2024-06 | 2022-03 |
| Sound engine | Sample-based drum computer and stereo sampler | Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip |
| Voice count | 16 | 16 |
| Sequencer steps | 128 | 64 |
| Sample playback | Yes | No |
| Onboard effects | Saturator delay, Supervoid reverb, Panoramic chorus, bit reduction, sample-rate reduction, overdrive, master compression | Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping |
| Output count | 2 | 11 |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | No | No |
| Pad count | 16 | 0 |

## Key differences

- Sound engine: Digitakt II Sample-based drum computer and stereo sampler vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip
- Sequencer steps: Digitakt II 128 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 64
- Sample playback: Digitakt II Yes vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer No
- Onboard effects: Digitakt II Saturator delay, Supervoid reverb, Panoramic chorus, bit reduction, sample-rate reduction, overdrive, master compression vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping
- Output count: Digitakt II 2 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 11
- Pad count: Digitakt II 16 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0

## Sources

- Digitakt II: https://www.elektron.se/en/digitakt-ii-explorer (elektron.se, verified 2026-08-01)
- RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: https://www.thomannmusic.com/behringer_rd_8_mkii.htm (thomannmusic.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/elektron-digitakt-ii-vs-behringer-rd-8-mkii/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Digitakt II ($999) vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer ($229) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/elektron-digitakt-ii-vs-behringer-rd-8-mkii/
License: CC BY 4.0.