Behringer RD-9 Review | Worth the wait? Everything you need to know

This is our thorough review of Behringer's TR-909 inspired drum machine. We included lots of example patterns and a blind test comparing it to Roland's ACB emulation of the 909. Also, what's wrong with the Hi-Hat in Authentic Mode?
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Featured drum patterns - transcriptions available on Patreon:
Daft Punk - Revolution 909
Die Fantastischen Vier - Die Da?!
Madonna - Vogue
Every Eurodance Song Ever
Floating Points - Silhouettes
Phil Collins - Take Me Home
Jeff Mills - Exhibitionist Mix 3 (TR-909 Workout)
Tool - Rosetta Stoned (Excerpt)
Daft Punk - Da Funk
New Order - Blue Monday
Radiohead - 15 Step
Michael Sembello - Maniac
Gear used:
Behringer RD-9
Roland TR-6S
Arturia Keystep
Guiro
Beatbunny Cowbell™
Table of contents:
0:00 Introduction
0:23 Build Quality
1:06 Layout
1:18 Connectivity
2:09 Sounds
6:50 Example Patterns
10:43 Analog vs Digital
12:29 Making Patterns
13:49 Accent
14:25 Substeps
15:45 Swing
16:01 Microtiming
16:08 Automation
16:40 Tempo
17:48 Convenience
18:31 Performance
23:09 Bugs
24:44 Blinkiness
24:50 Price & Verdict
26:09 End Jam
Produced by Jean-Claude Dirckx and Sophie Hoppstädter

[@CaptainPikant]

Spoiler alert: The correct answers for the "Analog vs Digital" segment at 10:43 are at the bottom of this comment. All signals were recorded directly from the two drum machines without any post processing. The TR-6S has four different simulations of the 909 kick drum: 909 Bass1, 909 Bass2, 909 Attack Bass and 909 Low Bass, of which the last one most resembles the kick drum on the RD-9. The hi-hats and cymbals are a bit brighter on the RD-9 - we matched them on the TR-6S by adding a slight "H Boost" effect. We matched all instrument pitches as best as we could, but in some cases (like the rim shot) this is not possible. In the upcoming TR-6S review we will compare the same pattern on each drum machine instead of having different patterns for each example. There were 28 guesses in total. The correct answers are: A D A D D. Congratulations to N1h1l3 and Thirolls, you were the only ones to guess correctly!

[@saintark6239]

Good reminder that the difference between Analog and Digital is barely audible nowadays. Great video!

[@shaft9000]

well....mixing the snares and cymbals louder than kick and toms is bordering on fletcher-munson devilry! ;o) much rather hear them playing identical pattern, level & knob-matched in an A/B double-blind, as ever

[@CaptainPikant]

​@@Thirollsyou're right! Somehow we must have missed your comment, but we have corrected it now :)

[@Thirolls]

@@CaptainPikant Thank you very much! Your review is excellent 🙌🏼

[@MaleInMarchMusic]

I did it.. wow... claps and snares not so crispy and bottom end in Bd too... wow

[@esenbi]

You even let Behringer know of the bugs. I really hope they send you some stuff for free. You deserve it.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Yeah, because everyone knows what a sweet generous man Uli Behringer is ! LMAO

[@kesnielchan8082]

Not in to this one. But man what a quality video! INSANELY GOOD

[@chriswareham]

My favourite track that prominently features the 909 ... Skinny Puppy "Smothered Hope", their first classic track from the debut album.

[@lancepage1914]

Skinny Puppy was the reason i started making industrial music and always wanted a 909, and they used the 808 as well and even both at the same time. However i ended up getting the Digitakt which IMO blows the RD-9 out of the water. RD-9 is perfect if you want that signature 909 sound and lots of outboard effects. But over time, i discovered i had more enjoyment from sampling old drum machines/modules then destroying them with the Digitakt.

[@thewistfulsnail]

The detail and clarity in this video outstanding! Even how you showed the relative size compared to other gear was genius!

[@0713dm]

Jeff Mills would be proud of that performance! Just got my RD-9 the other day. Well, it’s still in the box! But this is convincing me to take the leap and put the TR-09 (which I love!) away for a bit

[@DollysplitBand]

That outro sequence was the most creative credits I've seen yet. Absolutely amazed by the quality of your videos, always x

[@infriad]

Wow! This is probably the best review I’ve ever seen! Pure quality 😃

[@kurtcleary6794]

Well done on all this work! Really impressive mate.

[@Fetterbruhmoment]

I can’t stop watching that video Love the amazing demonstration of the RD Bitte bleibt wie ihr seid 🥰

[@jarreaus]

I dont follow a lot of KZbin channels, but every video you do, of whatever machine I have bought and want a tutorial of, I always end up here. You have a real way with words and quirkiness. I'm so happy to have subscribed. Love this channel That being said I have both rd8 and rd9(among a whole roster of others) but this rd9 REALLY helped me out. Specifically the thought of one hand on tap and on the Tom's to switch quickly with the jeff mills breakdown. So good! I super appreciate you because I would love to learn to use this in a live setting. Your amazing!!!! Thank you ❤❤❤

[@mike_qbik]

Thanks for the Elektronauts link. Really enjoyed your video. The humor, the editing, audio postproduction. All the work you have put into this. Subbed and looking for more. Great work ! Keep it going.

[@esenbi]

You put so much effort into your videos. You know how people say on video comments the KZbinr is underrated and should have much more subscribers? So, in this case, it's 100% true. Danke! Merci!

[@3-EX-0]

This review is the best one I have seen so far because I am seriously considering buying this to improve my drum samples for the EDM I am learning to compose. Thanks!

[@luigiz666]

Speaking as a musician and graphic designer, holy shit this channel is the bomb! If you started doing music production tutorials in this style too, I'd cream myself. Great stuff, guys. You'll be huge soon, mark my words.

[@johnmiller9953]

'I'd cream myself' and he even edited this.....

[@remka2000]

I concur. A lot.

[@MrKnightlore]

Agreed!

[@theprogrammerrolandmc3039]

C'mon it's the same guy who has the youtube channel bad gear he makes videos of old grooveboxes and synths. And he aint stupid because if you make music you get no views on youtube if you make review videos you get more views.

[@CaptainPikant]

​@@theprogrammerrolandmc3039 You're confusing me for someone else 😄 AudioPilz is from a different country. If the different voices and accents don't convince you, you should take a closer look at the hands.

[@micheler878]

Damnnn I love your graphics and the way you structured the review!! Fantastico job, keep going and great choice about ads too!!!

[@EVILJAMARR]

Love this channel. Never change ❤

[@ocelot972]

First time here, the video has a great flow and is very well arranged.. I like every part of it! Subscribed!

[@dirceuleite1038]

Best RD-9 review & creative design ever. Congrats!

[@btaylo24]

Superb video once again. Little works of art!

[@MarshalArnold]

Saw your RD-8 video recently, this is the cherry on top. Great work sir! Subbed 👍😎

[@JayKaufman]

Yet again another stellar review. Anyone who thinks Germans don't have a sense of humour haven't seen your channel. I also love how the examples you use range from mainstream to very underground (Jeff Mills). It just goes to show how much Germans love their techno! ;)

[@Geert890]

Loving the style of your videos!

[@clivemathieu9386]

Classy work as ever.

[@osirismaximus2787]

Absolutely fantastic review!

[@beemersp]

Too long have I gone without knowing about this channel, Subscribed :)

[@tobyzxcd]

The extended example patterns section was so nice and useful to hear the character of the machine :) my only constructive criticism is you didn’t also give a banana for scale- but beautiful and enjoyable work as always :)

[@safstar0184]

Great review mate Sounds awesome 😎👍 Looking forward when they become available in Australia 🇦🇺👍🙂

[@bigmac4948]

impressive and helpful presentation. limitations/quirks of this machine encourage creative spontaneity. thanks! (signed up to your patreon.)

[@flyingfrogofdeath9616]

9:25 brought a massive smile on my face :)

[@LB-pp7pu]

This video is very well done all around

[@JoQeZzZ]

I was nog expecting 15 step to show up... Great video!

[@bitbotrecords]

Great video ❤ such good quality

[@st0rmchild]

Top quality content right here!

[@gehtdinichtsan309]

great video! also didn't expect a tool song in your demos.

[@halcyondaystunes]

Just discovered your channel as I am looking to get an RD-9 Brilliant review and love your channel. New sub for you 😁😁

[@benanderson89]

Audible laugh with "every euro dance song ever". Quick, break out the Le Bouche records. The Exhibitionist 3 was brilliant, too. Really well done.

[@CaptainPikant]

So glad you like it 😁

[@eeeejcicjn]

Amazing video from a simple subject!

[@sirtrancealot]

23:59 Thank god you pointed that out! As someone who uses the 909 on the fly, I need to be able to see exactly where my finger is going to next, with that separation line I am always hitting 10 instead of 9. Very annoying. If you jam on the fly, one thing is missing on the RD-9; The ability to hold down an 'instrument select' button that is on the original 909. That button frees up your hand and you don't have to move your hand across the machine to select which instrument you want to program/use. If you are programming patterns for a studio environment then it's not a big problem, but if you are looking to perform live starting with a blank patch as I did, and slowly build a song up, then back down in one session, you will need the dexterity. Great video!

[@N1h1L3]

Great review as always, looking forward to the TR-6S review. My gues is A D A D D: 1. analog RD-9 2. digital TR-6S 3. analog RD-9 4. digital TR-6S 5. digital TR-6S I took my hints from the amount of sub in the kickdrums, but that might be a trick to confuse the listeners.

[@djangofett4879]

The kicks had more of a sweep to them on the analog machine. The digital could sound the same with just a bit of tweaking.

[@jamessisson3703]

Oh good. Finally a nice demonstration

[@devids51]

SO HAPPY YOU DID ROSETTA STONED!

[@syntropiqueTV]

SUCH a great video. Had to hit "Subscribe". Thank you.

[@kadirsahin166]

i cant image a 909 review without revolution 909. congrats!!!

[@vectorhold6489]

Thanks man. I just one bought today.

[@simensez2155]

great breakdown!

[@drathernaut]

Fantastic video! I'm getting quite a Keen on Keys vibe from this.

[@Rprth]

great channel, i am loving the silky video editing, just subbed. please do a video on the TD-3 ! cheers !

[@adrianthomas4927]

Bought the RD 909 thanks to this vid and the RD 808 from the MK2 vid. Thanks.

[@1980VINZ]

This is the best channel EVER.

[@Psychoakustik]

Thank you Jeff!

[@ZenMountain]

Great video, thanks.

[@Thirolls]

My guess is patterns 1 and 3 are the RD9 (with filter section used on pattern 3) and the others patterns 2,4, and 5 are the TR6S. (However, I have a little doubt about pattern 5, which I find a bit raw, but much cleaner than patterns 1 and 3). 😉

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

I can’t believe you actually did the Mills Exhibition, you absolute mad man We are not worthy

[@slidde8791]

U can definitely get a popcorn and enjoy the video :) so satisfying!

[@capjoneslives]

Amazing Video. Subbed and Thank You

[@bankhead9285]

every eurodance song ever cracked me up. got a sub out of that! nice video.

[@lavenderllamamusic]

As someone who's been wanting to get their hands on a Roland 909 when i first got into electronic music and was listening to a ton of Daft Punk (i was 14 back then, 2010/2011) but could never afford the price, this RD-9 might just make my dream come true! Even if it isn't a Roland 909

[@neonblack211]

It's a fantastic instrument, you don't really need a roland unless you are a serious collector

[@dailydoseofbeauty-coaching113]

Great review, great voice.... new subscriber

[@JoergWessels]

Ich hab euren Kanal heute erst entdeckt. Super Ideen, super umgesetzt und sehr angenehm, dass ihr kaum einen wahrnehmbaren deutschen Akzent habt. Dass ihr deutsch seid, hab ich tatsächlich erst daran erkannt, dass ihr 'Behringer' richtig aussprecht.

[@offworldnetwork]

excellent video.

[@julesramaen6924]

awesome video !! thanks

[@delta_sine]

I love your vid. Very well balanced review of the RD-9. I think I'm definitely getting one. The sound is definitely there. Also the hats and snare seem to have more of a presence compared to the digital equivalents.

[@markob808]

Aye Aye Captain!

[@snellcheeks]

Thanks for the thorough review! I already have a 909 but somehow this cheap clone is still tempting to get, mainly because of the extra sound controls on the kick drum!

[@djmtrlv5014]

I’ll trade you a RD-9 for your original 909😂

[@leewightman8619]

It sounds amazing

[@burnTrobot]

Stoked!

[@Axl_Pose]

Most excellent review and awesome video. Subb'd!!!!!

[@cougarman8]

Very nice!

[@futur_sunds]

I’m glad I watched this. I was really considering getting this, but thanks to your video I’m aware of some of the deal breaking cons that it has. Deal breaking for me personally at least

[@petercane6376]

I am partially deaf but I hear your voice and every word as clear as a bell. I got the digital analogue quiz wrong so A or D does not matter to me. The RD 9 seems to be all I need. Video quality was awesome. Thank you!

[@_westy_]

Thank you!!

[@d-illusion8140]

Klasse Vid! 👍🏻

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

I first got into electronic music production back in the 90's with the Rebirth RB-338 software. It's insane to think that nowadays we can have a hardware setup of that... RD8, RD9, 2 x TD3 and even toss in a MS-1 and some cheap Behringer effects for good measure. Even if you paid full retail price for all of it, it wouldn't be nearly as expensive as just one of those vintage bits of gear... and if you get a deal on it or buy used, it's even cheaper. I paid $200 for my two TD-3's and $250 for my RD-8. Also got a MS-1 for $250. Now if Behringer ever comes out with some sort of DFAM clone then I'll be buying at least 2.

[@thisatticdancer731]

Hope you are enjoying your Berhinger edges

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

@thisatticdancer731 I couldn't wait and got 2 dfams lol

[@japhy6536]

what a review!

[@leonprofes8544]

2,3 and 5 is TR-6S and 1 and 4 is Behringer TR-9. Looking forward to see results.

[@xb8dxpz]

i love this aesthetic

[@snorrevonflake]

Thought i was an 808 guy but wow this thing is pumpin !!!!

[@BassBaseBerlin]

Well done! I was watching some "Behringer RD-x or TD-x Review Videos" - but you nailed my burning question: "If you use the sub outs, the sound is removed from the sum" - und ich so "Yes, that's what I wanted to know - no other video mentioned these things! You _know_ whats important ;-). For the digital-analog-thing: I don't give a damn ... I got a Maschine (first version) and also Native Instruments Komplete. Tons-of-tons-of great sounds - maybe I scratched less than 5% of what is possible. I'm an IT guy, computers are my life and it's running more or less all time. I love recording and producing songs with Reaper with this setup... no thing. BUT: I'm a bass player and I just think of getting some "analog gear" - not for sound but for "just plug and play" - just start and mess around, be creative. Not gigs of sound libraries - just some knobs, some patterns and take the bass an play. I think your video "kicked me over the line" - now I want this device ... so cool. But first - will have a look on your other videos ;-) Liked, Thanks a lot and best regards, Stefan

[@RegebroRepairs]

The filter and compressors sounds really nice and useful. I want that for my 909. I wonder what they cloned... :-D

[@godzilla12332]

I'm pretty sure the filter is the ladder filter from the mini moog but can't confirm.

[@burprobrox9134]

I love Jeff Mills but I’d take Genesis any day.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

That is a no from me.

[@cain5ynth]

Sehr gut und übersichtlich gemachtes Video. RD-9 ist nicht 'My cup of tea' aber Respekt und Kudos für Dein Werk.

[@keithkowalski8763]

i got a 6s instead. i like the portability and i get a pretty damn good 909 kit.

[@MOOTANT1]

Best review video

[@TheEmperorOfIceCream]

I really like the sounds. I'm glad they used samples for hihat, crash, and ride. Sounds way better than analog to me, better for realistic drum sounds whears 606 and 808 better for electronic.

[@cinemalulli]

Like the Tr909

[@mattzr1550]

It'd be unfaithful to not have them be like how they were on the 909

[@LFC303606ACID]

Great review as usual, thing sounds great, but size does matter! I'll go for 3 and 4 being analogue..

[@vincewatson_official]

On Roland's TR8, TR8S and TR09, the Hihats are naturally tuned 2-3 semitones too high. On the 2 versions of the TR909, they are tuned down. On my Custom TR8S, I had to put 2 dots at 10pm to tune them to both my original TR909's (V1 and V2).

[@MrJemabaris]

2, 3 and 5 sounded good to my ears.

[@chrisdraws6258]

Please do a review for Digitakt! Would love to hear about your workflow especially

[@synthnerd4539]

I've been using a 909 clone for years, and got a TR8s when they came out. I was very impressed by the modelling, but the difference between model and analogue shows more over time than in short snippets or individual hits. There's just no wonkiness to the models over the course of a whole session, and for me that's a reason to go analogue. The TR is still a great machine, of course. I do think I'll be picking up the RD-9 when they're here. Good overview. Interesting they went mono for the main out.

[@MicaelAzevedo]

I agree with you. I made an individual mod in my Volcas beats and that kick man txuuuuuuuu Also have TR8-S but sounds kind lifeless compared. At least individually sound speaking.

[@jonathantubman2297]

@@MicaelAzevedo What was the individual mod you made to the Volca beats?

[@MicaelAzevedo]

@@jonathantubman2297 individual outs for each sound!

[@lancepage1914]

A 100% fair enough comment to use analog. I am still pretty new to drums machines, synths and samplers. I have an access virus ti and a DSI Tetra and i only know what is playing what from the sound of the patches. Digital has come a long long way.

[@djangofett4879]

@@MicaelAzevedo Tr-8s is superior to volca beats in all ways.

[@josephwright5921]

This was a lot more than a review. It was also quite a tutorial.

[@jonathandaniel9031]

Thank you

[@jamesfitton1620]

Great video! When recording this into a DAW, is it possible to have multi-output or is it all recorded in one instance?

[@CaptainPikant]

You have an individual output for each instrument. If you plug something in there, the instrument is taken away from the main out. So if you have 4 inputs on your audio interface you could for instance record the kick, snare and clap individually while all other instruments are recorded together on the main out.

[@johnnydiamondsmusic1673]

All I would say about the slight criticisms is What do you expect for the price. I just ordered one for £243. I will be using the individual outs for recording. I also have an old Yamaha RX5 from 1986. Great review.

[@defjeff2907]

Hahaha, Phil Collins canceled! I love all the Patreon pattern plugs and analog vs. digital comparison. Thanks for the shout out too!!

[@dc9662]

I really enjoyed the video! I would have loved to have heard you replicate a drum pattern from "Vanishing Point," by New Order.

[@GRIFFARTCENTER]

Perfect

[@armandmichaeldream8654]

very interesting

[@scottptolomey3498]

Funny but very interesting video would love to know the pattern to Killer by Adamski

[@schore69]

that mills imitation had me chuckling quiet a bit. you managed to replicate his very specific handmovements on point imho

[@CaptainPikant]

Thanks but for me to be as fast as Jeff Mills you'd have to set the playback speed to 2x :D

[@heartache5742]

wait the same jeff mills that made "the bells"?

[@schore69]

@@heartache5742 yes.. that jeff mills! you know... axis records, purposemaker and yada yada

[@heartache5742]

@@schore69 oh yeah! he moves a bit like an android when he's super focused

[@schore69]

@@heartache5742 and when he mixes he has the most peculiar way to push up the faders :D