Behringer · Updated August 2026
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer: price, specs & release date
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer, released 2022-03. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: thomannmusic.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
Is the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer a good buy?
At $229, the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer is #4 cheapest of the 13 drum machines we track, where the median is $399. On the spec sheet, its pad count of 0 is the lowest of the 12. By release date, it is among the newer of the 13 we date.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $229 current US price (Thomann); street price varies roughly $229-$329 across US retailers |
|---|---|
| Brand | Behringer |
| Released | 2022-03 |
| Sound engine | Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip |
| Voice count | 16 |
| Sequencer steps | 64 |
| Sample playback | No |
| Onboard effects | Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping |
| Output count | 11 |
| Midi support | Yes |
| Battery powered | No |
| Pad count | 0 |
Source: thomannmusic.com (verified 2026-08-01) · corroborated by synthtopia.com. Behringer's own behringer.com product page did not render fetchable specification text (JS-only storefront returning only a generic catalog fallback), so specs and price are taken from Thomann's US storefront (fetched directly): 16 drum sounds, 64-step sequencer (256 patterns/16 songs), dual-mode filter + Wave Designer, 11 individual sound outputs, full MIDI (In/Out/Thru + USB), mains-only power (no battery), and a $229 US price. Synthtopia's June 2021 coverage corroborates the MKII's more-accurate VCA-chip recreation and supplies the product photo. The unit has no dedicated trigger pads — playing/triggering is done via the 16-step button row — so pad_count is 0 rather than null.
Is the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer worth it vs cheaper drum machines?
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer against its closest cheaper and pricier drum machines on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 13 ranked
| Product | Price | Sound engine | Voice count | Sequencer steps | Sample playback | Onboard effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer this | $229 | Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip | 16 | 64 | No | Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping |
| RD-6 Rhythm Designer | $149 | Analog TR-606-style synthesis (8 fixed analog drum voices) | 8 | 64 | No | Distortion |
| LIVEN Lofi-12 | $239 | 16-bit/12kHz-24kHz lo-fi sampling engine with a 12-bit 'SP-1200-style' sampler mode, plus 80 built-in lo-fi presets | 10 | 64 | Yes | 11 per-track effect types, 6 master reverb options, cassette-tape and vinyl simulators |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer cost?
The RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer has a US price of $229 (current US price (Thomann); street price varies roughly $229-$329 across US retailers), as of 2026-08-01.
How does the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer compare on price?
At $229, the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer is #4 cheapest of the 13 drum machines we track, where the median is $399.
When was the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer released?
The RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer was released 2022-03.
What are the RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer's key specs?
RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer (Behringer): sound engine Analog 808-style synthesis with a custom-cloned BA662/V662 VCA chip, voice count 16, sequencer steps 64, sample playback No, onboard effects Automatable dual-mode filter, Wave Designer sound-shaping. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-08-01.
Price of record: $229 at thomannmusic.com, 2026-08-01. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See RD-8 MKII Rhythm Designer on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar drum machines
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Compare with
Head-to-head
Cheaper drum machines
- RD-6 Rhythm Designer $149
- volca drum $129
- PO-32 tonic $89
Step up
- LIVEN Lofi-12 $239
- DrumBrute Impact $299
- SR-18 $399
- Circuit Rhythm $399
- TR-6S Rhythm Performer $399.99
- TR-8S Rhythm Performer $699
More from Behringer
- RD-6 Rhythm Designer $149