Roland
TR-8S Rhythm Performer
$699
Released 2018-11
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
TR-8S Rhythm Performer 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 TR-8S Rhythm Performer 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 | 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 |
Sources — TR-8S Rhythm Performer: roland.com (verified 2026-08-01). RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: thomannmusic.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the TR-8S Rhythm Performer 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: 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 true vs RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer false
- 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