Roland
TR-8S Rhythm Performer
$699Cheaper
Released 2018-11
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
TR-8S Rhythm Performer vs Digitakt II
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. TR-8S Rhythm Performer is cheaper at $699. Every spec and price links to its source.
Elektron
Digitakt II
$999
Released 2024-06
Which is better: the TR-8S Rhythm Performer or Digitakt II?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The TR-8S Rhythm Performer is the cheaper at $699.
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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 | Digitakt II |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $699 | $999 US MSRP at launch (2024) |
| Brand | Roland | Elektron |
| Released | 2018-11 | 2024-06 |
| 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 | Sample-based drum computer and stereo sampler |
| Voice count | 11 | 16 |
| Sequencer steps | 16 steps per variation, 8 (A-H) chainable variations per pattern (TR-REC) | 128 |
| Sample playback | Yes | Yes |
| Onboard effects | 13 instrument FX types, 7 reverbs, 4 delays, 21 master FX, plus Scatter live-remix fills | Saturator delay, Supervoid reverb, Panoramic chorus, bit reduction, sample-rate reduction, overdrive, master compression |
| Output count | 8 individual analog outs + stereo master + headphone | 2 |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | No | No |
| Pad count | 16 | 16 |
Sources — TR-8S Rhythm Performer: roland.com (verified 2026-08-01). Digitakt II: elektron.se (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the TR-8S Rhythm Performer and Digitakt II?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 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 Digitakt II Sample-based drum computer and stereo sampler
- Voice count: TR-8S Rhythm Performer 11 vs Digitakt II 16
- Sequencer steps: TR-8S Rhythm Performer 16 steps per variation, 8 (A-H) chainable variations per pattern (TR-REC) vs Digitakt II 128
- Onboard effects: TR-8S Rhythm Performer 13 instrument FX types, 7 reverbs, 4 delays, 21 master FX, plus Scatter live-remix fills vs Digitakt II Saturator delay, Supervoid reverb, Panoramic chorus, bit reduction, sample-rate reduction, overdrive, master compression
- Output count: TR-8S Rhythm Performer 8 individual analog outs + stereo master + headphone vs Digitakt II 2