# TR-8S Rhythm Performer vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the TR-8S Rhythm Performer (Roland) 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 | TR-8S Rhythm Performer | RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $699 | $229 |
| Brand | Roland | Behringer |
| Released | 2018-11 | 2022-03 |
| Sound engine | Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) modeling of the TR-808/909/707/606/727 and CR-78, plus an FM synthesis engine and sample playback | Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip |
| Voice count | 11 | 16 |
| Sequencer steps | 16 steps per variation, 8 (A-H) chainable variations per pattern (TR-REC) | 64 |
| Sample playback | Yes | No |
| Onboard effects | 13 instrument FX types, 7 reverbs, 4 delays, 21 master FX, plus Scatter live-remix fills | Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping |
| Output count | 8 individual analog outs + stereo master + headphone | 11 |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | No | No |
| Pad count | 16 | 0 |

## Key differences

- Sound engine: TR-8S Rhythm Performer Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) modeling of the TR-808/909/707/606/727 and CR-78, plus an FM synthesis engine and sample playback vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip
- Voice count: TR-8S Rhythm Performer 11 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 16
- Sequencer steps: TR-8S Rhythm Performer 16 steps per variation, 8 (A-H) chainable variations per pattern (TR-REC) vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 64
- Sample playback: TR-8S Rhythm Performer Yes vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer No
- Onboard effects: TR-8S Rhythm Performer 13 instrument FX types, 7 reverbs, 4 delays, 21 master FX, plus Scatter live-remix fills vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping
- Output count: TR-8S Rhythm Performer 8 individual analog outs + stereo master + headphone vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 11
- Pad count: TR-8S Rhythm Performer 16 vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer 0

## Sources

- TR-8S Rhythm Performer: https://www.roland.com/us/products/tr-8s/ (roland.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/roland-tr-8s-vs-behringer-rd-8-mkii/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, TR-8S Rhythm Performer ($699) vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer ($229) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/roland-tr-8s-vs-behringer-rd-8-mkii/
License: CC BY 4.0.