Elektron
Digitakt II
$999
Released 2024-06
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
Digitakt II vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer is cheaper at $229. Every spec and price links to its source.
Behringer
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer
$229Cheaper
Released 2022-03
Which is better: the Digitakt II or RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer?
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 | Digitakt II | RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $999 US MSRP at launch (2024) | $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 |
Sources — Digitakt II: elektron.se (verified 2026-08-01). RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: thomannmusic.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the Digitakt II and RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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 true vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer false
- 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