Korg
volca drum
$129Cheaper
Released 2019-03
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
volca drum vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. volca drum is cheaper at $129. Every spec and price links to its source.
Behringer
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer
$229
Released 2022-03
Which is better: the volca drum or RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The volca drum is the cheaper at $129.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | volca drum | RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $129 US MSRP | $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 |
Sources — volca drum: korg.com (verified 2026-08-01). RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: thomannmusic.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the volca drum and RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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 true vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer false
- Pad count: volca drum 16 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0