Behringer RD-8: EUR 299 TR-808 clone available for pre-order from Thomann
[UPDATE 14/08/19] The Behringer RD-8 is now up for pre-order at Thomann. The price is EUR 299. Shipping may take “4-5 weeks”. The listing confirms the following features:
- 64-step sequencer with poly meter, step repeat, note repeat, real-time triggering, track mute and track solo
- Wave Designer
- Dual Mode Filter
- Store up to 16 songs and 256 patterns
- Auto-scroll function
- LED display1 line output: 6.3 mm jack
- 16 individual line outputs (voices): 6.3 mm jack
- 3 trigger outputs: 6.3 mm jack
- Main Return: 6.3 mm jack
- Headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
- Clock input and output: 3.5 mm mini jack
- USB
- MIDI In / Out / Thru
It’s 808 day today (08/08/2019) so something was bound to happen in regards to the iconic drum machine. Naturally, Roland published a slick expose on a dedicated website that’s worth having a look at. In the meantime, hopes were up for Behringer to formally announce its highly anticipated RD-8 rendition of the 1980 hardware original.
While this didn’t happen, seeing the goods being packed and shipped to retailers is as good as it gets. Behringer published these photos today, depicting the finished device under a test procedure along with the first shipments. This means the RD-8 will hit retailers shortly and will be up for pre-order/order/whatever. As far as we know, the price will hover around EUR/USD 299, which is Behringer’s traditionally reasonable pricing.
Running analog circuitry as opposed to intricate software emulation, the machine is expected to sound as true-to-form as possible considering many of the original components haven’t been in supply for decades. Furthermore, the RD-8 isn’t a straight up carbon copy of Roland’s design. Behringer has made sensible contributions to it, such as new controls (bass drum tuning, hi-hat tone) 64-steps per pattern, swing, flam, note repeat, random/probability sequencing, and effects (compressor/transient shaper and LP/HP resonant filter).
By most initial accounts, Behringer’s homage to the 808 sounds and feels spot-on. And besides, it’s great to have an option for an analog drum machine with modern perks and time-tested sound that’s priced so affordably – other than Arturia’s delightful Drumbrute Impact, of course.
- behringer rd-8 packaging: Behringer
- behringer rd-8 testing: Behringer
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4 responses to “Behringer RD-8: EUR 299 TR-808 clone available for pre-order from Thomann”
I bought Arturia Drumbrute Impact. used it for a while, and sold it. The features were cool, but the sounds were pretty underwelming. We need more drum machines on the market! Like a non-menu-based Digitakt or something! peace
Hmm I thought of getting one of those, got a 707, love that
707 with rd-8 my route too
I’ve never used the Drumbrute Impact.. But after owning the original Arturia Drumbrute for just a few weeks I am convinced that people’s complaints are a product of a mere lack of creativity and / or inspiration. The sounds present on this machine are excellent. It’s no Vermona DRM1 lol.. But it is a great drum machine. Personally, I highly recommend this as a first analog drum machine. It’s easy and a lot of fun to play.