The Behringer RD-8 Drum Machine is one of the best drum machine on the market. It has a great design, and it’s easy to use. The machine has a lot of features, and it’s very versatile. It’s also very affordable. You can get your RD-8 now and see what’s it like yourself; This is a drum machine worth its weight in gold!
The Behringer RD-8 is a classic drum machine that can take the stage or the studio. It has the most feature-rich model on the market, but it’s also straightforward. You’ll have fun making your first tracks. You’ve probably heard about this little beast, and now you’ve read this post, you know that you need to own one of these.
Behringer RD-8 Review
Behringer’s RD-8 is a long-awaited reinterpretation of the best classic drum machine of all time: the Roland TR-808. Re-Live, recreate and refocus the tones of Chicago acid house, the genesis of modern hip-hop, and the backbone of techno with this fantastic adaptation of one of the most influential electronic instruments. If you want the bass drum to hit and burst suddenly, the RD-8 is a great and inexpensive way to find it.
The RD-8 offers the same intuitive shift style as the original 808 (complete with vintage-style buttons), which is remarkably similar to the actual workflow. The 64-step sequencer allows for polymeter, step repeat, real-time triggering, and countless other performance features, but its intuitive layout also instantly simplifies the placement of a moving and reliable rhythm. Pattern and song modes provide access to high sequential potential, allowing you to create long progressive rhythms.
The internal FX bus offers a Wave Designer and a dual-mode analog filter. Wave Designer provides attack and continuity controls that can be applied to individual sounds and dynamically create basic drum sounds. The switchable 12 dB low-pass/high-pass filter allows access to all types of sweep and ringing resonances: and most importantly, the movement of the cutoff button can be recorded by the sequencer, pre-fed, or adjusted for precise tone shaping.
Pros
- Intuitive layout and workflow
- Affordable
- Excellent sound quality
- Versatile and feature-rich
Cons
- Some people may find the machine difficult to use at first
- The device is not compatible with Macs
Behringer RD 8 R-Type
The Behringer RD 8 R-Type is quite loud, but it sounds good for an instrument you can play (1/4 inch Jack Nest Hook). Behringer mischievously flipped the colors, but the knobs, step buttons, and stripes give Roland a distinct look. The design is durable, and the step buttons are also satisfying to click. Only the buttons feel like plastic.
What surprised me was how different the board was from the 808. Next to the switch and the step button are several backlit rubber buttons found on many modern music technology gadgets.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
How do I setup my Behringer Rd-8?
The RD-8 TRS audio output can easily connect to a live audio mixer or studio recording interface. You can send MIDI data via USB connection or MIDI port; This makes it easy to sync with other devices and record MIDI performance.
Audio
There are three main audio connections, all of which are mono. There is a mono output (main), headphone output, and a return. The mono output and the headphones use a balanced 1/4 inch TRS cable, while the reverse model uses an unbalanced 1/4 inch TS cable.
External Hardware
You can sync your devices, such as sequencers and synthesizers, with the RD-8. The 3.5mm TRS sync jacks can be used for connecting to external hardware via an analog clock. Another option is MIDI, which can also be connected to a MIDI interface for DAW synchronization.
- Clock in and out
Synchronous links (analog clocks) work by sending a pulse per quarter note (PPQN), which is the unit of time used for sequencing and automation. For the RD-8 to control external devices using an analog clock, a 3.5mm TRS cable must be connected from the RD-8 Sync OUT jack to another Sync/Clock IN synth. Alternatively, if you wish to use the main external syntax, connect the cable from the external syntax SyncOUT jack to Sync/ClockIN RD-8. If you want to synchronize RD-8 with a clock of another device (the slave device), press the sync button to switch from INT to CLK.
Change PPQ Setting
- Press the Settings button, the Clock Step key, then press the blinking Tap / Tempo button to select the analog clock mode.
- Use the data knob to select 1, 2, 4, 24, or 48 PPQs and press Play to start playback.
- MIDI
Another way to connect external sequencers is with 5-pin MIDI cables. To let the RD-8 control the external device, use a MIDI cable to connect the RD-8’s MIDI OUT port to the external device’s MIDI IN port. When synchronizing the RD-8 with the MIDI clock of another device (the slave device), press the Sync button to switch from INT to MIDI.
Unlike an analog clock, which only transmits tempo and start and stop signals, MIDI synchronization also sends MIDI note changes. By default, RD-8 is set to MIDI channel 1. If the external tuning is also set to MIDI channel 1, any button you press on RD-8 will also affect the external tuning function. Follow these steps to change the MIDI channel.
- Press the setting button, press the MIDI step key, then press the flashing tap/hold button once to select MIDI OUT.
- Use the DATA key to change the RD-8’s MIDI channel.
- Tap Settings to confirm and return to the Settings menu.
- Trigger Out
Three output jacks allow the RD-8 to be connected to an external sync unit or battery via an unbalanced TS cable. Once connected, you can create a pattern on the RD-8 and power an external drive. Each trigger out for a specific channel is set to RD-8.
Computer
The Behringer RD-8’s MIDI output can also be incorporated into your DAW by connecting a USB cable to your computer. The drum sequencer is class-compliant, meaning no additional drivers are required to operate it. Connect the RD-8’s USB cable to your computer, turn on the RD-8 as a MIDI device, create a MIDI track, and press record to DAW.
How do I update the firmware on my BehringerRd-8?
1. Go to the RD-8 download page and download the operating system update tool.
2. After shutting down, connect RD-8 to your computer and run the update.
3. Press the power button next to the RD-8’s USB port with a paper clip (or similar size) to turn on the device.
4. RD-8 will not boot in boot mode.
5. Click the [Update] button of the firmware updater. When the update is complete, restart your device.
Is Behringer Rd-8 analog?
The Behringer RD‑8 is a great little analogue drum machine, very well made and well thought out. The only problem is that the buttons and controls are so well covered in plastic that you will have to be careful if you are using this at gigs, as your fingers will slip and be mashed.
Is Behringer making a Linn drum?
Now, more than two years after the company first had the opportunity to create a clone of the original LinnDrum, the cheaper successor to the LM-1, Behringer has finally confirmed on social media that the unit’s development is almost over.
Final Thought
The Behringer RD-8 is a great drum machine for those looking for an affordable and easy-to-use device. It has many features that allow you to create great-sounding patterns. The only downside is that the buttons and controls can be a bit slippery, so you must be careful when using them at gigs. Overall, the RD-8 is a great drum machine for its price and is worth checking out.
