Best Drum Machines · head-to-head

Elektron Digitakt II vs Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer is cheaper at $229. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Elektron Digitakt II or Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Behringer 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 Elektron Digitakt II Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer
US price $999 US MSRP at launch (2024) $229
BrandElektronBehringer
Released2024-062022-03
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

Sources — Elektron Digitakt II: elektron.se (verified 2026-08-01). Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: thomannmusic.com (verified 2026-08-01).

What's the difference between the Elektron Digitakt II and Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Sound engine: Elektron Digitakt II Sample-based drum computer and stereo sampler vs Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip
  • Sequencer steps: Elektron Digitakt II 128 vs Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 64
  • Sample playback: Elektron Digitakt II true vs Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer false
  • Onboard effects: Elektron Digitakt II Saturator delay, Supervoid reverb, Panoramic chorus, bit reduction, sample-rate reduction, overdrive, master compression vs Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping
  • Output count: Elektron Digitakt II 2 vs Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 11
  • Pad count: Elektron Digitakt II 16 vs Behringer RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0

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