With the RD-8, Behringer presents the completely redesigned version of the successful Roland TR-808 clone, retaining the addition of modern and effective features. Launched in 1981, Roland's TR-808 made music history like no other drum machine. Whether electro, house or hip-hop, the sound of an 808 has had its place in the music world since the 80s! The distinctive and puristic analog sound has lost none of its authenticity and is now even more true to the original than ever before. Behringer has paid special attention to ensuring that all sounds are reproduced accurately. The MkII version is equipped with a faithful reproduction of the legendary BA662 OTA chip. This has succeeded in giving the RD-8 an even more authentic sound, which should not be inferior to the original sound in any way. A total of 16 instruments are distributed on the 11 available tracks, which are adjustable in volume and partly in other parameters.
The RD-8 MkII sequencer has 256 patterns for custom beats, which can be up to 64 steps long. Even odd steps are individually programmable per track. The groove parameters Shuffle and Flam, which are indispensable especially for Chicago Sound and House, have also been integrated. Absolutely performance-oriented is the trigger function, which repeats a preselectable range (1, 2, 4, 8 steps) of sequencer steps in Step Repeat Mode until the key is released. Alternatively, there is Note Repeat, which triggers the selected instrument in four speed levels; perfect for spontaneously bringing variety into the pattern!
The main output has two special features: on the one hand there is a switchable lowpass/highpass filter with manually adjustable cutoff and resonance, on the other hand the Wave Designer; a compressor-like effect that processes the transient and decay times. Depending on the setting, this makes the signal pumpy, spongy or slightly chunky. In addition, you can send the individual outputs through an external effect device such as a delay, bring them back in via the return socket and thus also process them with the two internal effects.
The bass drum is really nice, it's a shame there's not hot switch for moving between 'A' and 'B' like the original. It's also a shame they didn't decide to extend the use of tuning to any selected channel rather than just the kick. I think it would be a great way to extend the machine beyond the original. The encoders feel sturdy the step buttons feel cheap. I do like how most of it sounds though..