Unnecessarily Excellent Homage

Drum machines are not, as a species, always the most engaging devices. That is, as far as playability, enjoyment, and the unending pursuit of ...what is that called again..? The RD-8 really had me at "R" though. Its pure analogue signal path brings attention-stealing Bang across all 11 simultaneously soundable channels, with 16 actual modules as several channels have to pull double duty. But this isn't a flaw or a setback, rather it pushes the user just a little harder towards singularity. When I'm really running with it, the secondary sounds are just a slight challenge to add into my collage flipping selectors back and forth as the beat loops back again

While faithfully bringing the analogue Heat to all 11 original sounds of the TR-808, the RD-8 also features on board filters, an ENORMOUS range of diversification tools that will help you to modulate the sounds AS WELL as the rhythmic component of your beats, and perhaps most importantly, an updated, fully modernized interface layer of connectivity. The device features MIDI In/Out/ and Thru, (3 in total) and a USB connection to your PC which links you with Behringer's SYNTHTRIBE firmware distribution app.

ooooh! babeeee! The RD-8 can REG-U-LATE ....and Mount UP!

BOOM BAP! It's all that!

The RD-8 sounds outstanding– and for the price, it offers an amazing value as an instrument. The Bass Drum is punchy throughout the tuning range, and totally fills out when increasing the duration. All the percussion is punchy and clear, but still manages to have a natural analogue grittiness. Whether running the whole mix out of the one MONO output or using one of the ELEVEN separate outputs for individual tracking, panning and processing, programmed beats sound full yet uncluttered and naturally groove. From my experience, the RD-8 completely covers the sonic range of the original, but also offers new sonic potentials with the built in Wave Designer and Analogue Filter (LPF/HPF), easily assignable to one or multiple tracks, while adding convenience of USB MIDI and increased reliability– especially compared with trying to find one of the original 12000 vintage units produced +38 years ago– with current (3.3.2021) prices on Reverb.com starting at $6000! A few of the more advanced pattern programming features took time to get used to, but the sounds are so good, I enjoyed spending the time with the machine figuring them out. This thing rocks, and I'm beyond satisfied with my purchase.

One of the very best investments I've ever made!

I never owned an original Roland TR-808 but Howie Tee had one and Chubb Rock showed me how to decay the kick at a studio we were working at. Flash forward decades later I bought a Roland TR-8 and although I love it despite it being a digital resemblance of the original, I knew I had to get the Behringer RD-8 and I'm glad I did.

The weight and punch of this analog drum synth is a wake-up call from the 808 gods themselves. Believe it or not, Behringer made a better 808 remake than Roland who obliviously doesn't care about chasing the analog ghosts of their legacy, but thankfully Behringer are rebels who are bringing back some the gear that was out of my reach as a teenager.

Amazing!

It does everything you'd expect and more! Brilliant machine and at an amazing price. Behringer smashes it again!

Whenever I use this piece, I dance like a monkey on extacy

It's closer to a real 808 than you think. Worth every penny!

But: It really really could use program change midi implementation. Would be nice for production