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?

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!

[esenbi]

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

[chriswareham]

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

[luigiz]

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.

[DollysplitBand]

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

[dm]

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

[kesnielchan]

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

[esenbi]

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

[jarreaus]

I dont follow a lot of YouTube 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 ❤❤❤

[infriad]

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

[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! ;)

[NhL]

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.

[MagnusThorJonsson-vz]

Just wanted to let you know that someone is still watching this

[flyingfrogofdeath]

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

[Earthquake]

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

[kurtcleary]

Well done on all this work! Really impressive mate.

[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

[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.

[-EX-]

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!

[wilsonjaksetic]

I can’t believe you actually did the Mills Exhibition, you absolute mad man

We are not worthy