Behringer RD-8 MKII: Classic sound now 12% cheaper at Thomann

The pursuit of perfection and authenticity has brought 4 black buttons to the RD-8 MKII and a lot of redesigning under the hood. Now cheaper!

All About the Behringer RD-8 MKIIRD-8 MKII on Sale: Beats with an Analog Retro CharacterBehringer Plays Spot the Difference with the RD-8 MKII – Now in Stock!RD-8 MKIIMore Information From Behringer

RD-8 MKII on Sale: Beats with an Analog Retro Character

With its combination of analog pressure, advanced control options, and a discount, the Behringer RD-8 MKII is a particularly attractive offer right now. Whether for studio work or live performances, this versatile instrument is suitable for classic rhythm patterns and modern electronic productions alike. It demonstrates how closely tradition and innovation can be linked. It is now available at Thomann* for €239 instead of €273.

Behringer Plays Spot the Difference with the RD-8 MKII – Now in Stock!

[25 March 2022]: Back in stock at Thomann.

RD-8 MKII

[28 June 2021] I’m pretty sure the original RD-8 was supposed to be the most authentic version of the TR-808 ever produced but apparently, there’s always room for improvement. Behringer has announced the RD-8 MKII and other than replacing the 4 white buttons with 4 black buttons you’d be hard pushed to spot any differences between this and the original.

Behringer says the differences are in the components and the new RD-8 has been re-designed from the ground up to dramatically improve the sound of the voices as well as the noise and phase response across both the main and individual outputs.

The most important development is the recreation of the 40-year-old BA662 chip with Coolaudio. It’s this chip that provides the most authentic sound generation and it wasn’t in the original RD-8.

What else is different is hard to say but you have to assume that they took on board the criticism of users and went back to the drawing board to make the RD-8 sound better. I thought the RD-8 sounded pretty decent in the first place. I am slightly disappointed that they didn’t take the opportunity to bolt in some extras like effects or different filter types, something to make a MKII an attractive upgrade for more than just a slightly more authentic than the previously authentic sound.

The new version will directly replace the RD-8 for $329 and is shipping now. Will it be worth the upgrade for current RD-8 owners? Difficult to say. I mean the video of the new one sounds a lot like an 808 but so did the video for the other one. It’s going to require a bit of an independent side-by-side comparison. But it won’t matter for long because the RD-8 MKII will be the only one available. I’m going to hang on to my RD-8 for its authentic Behringer sound.

More Information From Behringer

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