# volca drum vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the volca drum (Korg) and RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer (Behringer) among drum machines. volca drum is the cheaper of the two at $129.

## Side by side

| Spec | volca drum | RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $129 | $229 |
| Brand | Korg | Behringer |
| Released | 2019-03 | 2022-03 |
| Sound engine | Digital percussion synthesis (DSP analog modeling: oscillator waveforms, wave folder, overdrive, waveguide resonator) | Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip |
| Voice count | 6 parts x 2 layers | 16 |
| Sequencer steps | 16 steps per pattern, chainable up to 256 steps across 16 sequences | 64 |
| Sample playback | No | No |
| Onboard effects | Waveguide resonator (tube/string modes) with decay, body and tune controls | Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping |
| Output count | 1 | 11 |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | Yes | No |
| Pad count | 16 | 0 |

## Key differences

- Sound engine: volca drum Digital percussion synthesis (DSP analog modeling: oscillator waveforms, wave folder, overdrive, waveguide resonator) vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip
- Voice count: volca drum 6 parts x 2 layers vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 16
- Sequencer steps: volca drum 16 steps per pattern, chainable up to 256 steps across 16 sequences vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 64
- Onboard effects: volca drum Waveguide resonator (tube/string modes) with decay, body and tune controls vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping
- Output count: volca drum 1 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 11
- Battery powered: volca drum Yes vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer No
- Pad count: volca drum 16 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0

## Sources

- volca drum: https://www.korg.com/us/products/dj/volca_drum/ (korg.com, 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/korg-volca-drum-vs-behringer-rd-8-mkii/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, volca drum ($129) vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer ($229) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/korg-volca-drum-vs-behringer-rd-8-mkii/
License: CC BY 4.0.