Essential Information About the Behringer RD-6-SR Drum Machine
- Analog drum machine with a vintage character, designed for punchy and immediate grooves
- 8 drum sounds with level mixing and a global accent to bring your patterns to life
- 16-step sequencer with real-time switching and Song mode chaining up to 250 measures
- Built-in distortion inspired by a cult RAT-style pedal, plus USB and MIDI connectivity for studio and live use
A Modern Reinterpretation of a Cult Drum Machine
The RD-6-SR follows in the footsteps of analog drum machines that shaped house, techno, and electro. Its approach embraces the straightforward ergonomics of "one function per control" and the spirit of classic machines, with a meticulous reproduction of circuits and matched transistors. The idea is simple: to regain an organic, punchy, and musical sound while benefiting from modern synchronization options to easily integrate into a contemporary setup.
For Whom, Which Styles, and In What Contexts?
Accessible to beginners thanks to its very visual workflow, the RD-6-SR remains formidable for experienced musicians who want a dedicated drum machine that is quick to program and easy to perform with. It excels in techno, electro, acid, synthwave, EBM, minimal hip-hop, and rhythmic ambient, both in live jam settings (improvisation, variations, transitions) and in studio production (multi-outputs, DAW sync, analog layering over digital drums).
Features and Innovations
The Behringer RD-6-SR is an analog drum machine offering 8 simultaneous voices and 8 dedicated sounds, each controllable via level controls to build a mix directly on the machine. Its 16-step sequencer emphasizes efficiency: you switch from one pattern to another in real time, create instant variations, and structure a complete track thanks to chaining in Song mode (up to 250 measures). To thicken the sound, the built-in distortion adds grit, bite, and an ideal presence to cut through a live mix. For integration, the RD-6-SR offers USB (MIDI) implementation and 5-pin DIN MIDI, as well as multiple sync modes (USB, MIDI, Clock, Internal) to align with your other gear, a DAW, or a hybrid setup. Finally, the voice outputs allow processing certain elements separately (compressor on the kick, reverb on the snare, external saturation on the toms, etc.) and multitrack recording.
Technical Specifications
Voices
- Number of sounds: 8
- Type: Analog
- Number of simultaneous voices: 8
Voice Controls
- Accent: Level
- Kick drum: Level
- Snare drum: Level
- Low tom, high tom: Level
- Cymbal, clap: Level
- Open hat, closed hat: Level
Sequencer and Storage
- Capacity: 2 x 16 patterns
- Steps: 16 steps
Audio and Control Connectivity
- Power input: DC input connector
- Power switch: Push button on/off
- USB (MIDI): USB 2.0, type B
- MIDI In, Out / Thru: 2 x 5-pin DIN
- Start/stop (pedal): 1 x 1/4 inch TS jack
- Mix output: 1 x 1/4 inch TS jack, unbalanced, 1 kOhm impedance
- Voice outputs: 6 x 1/8 inch TS jacks, unbalanced, 100 ohms impedance
- Headphones: 1 x 1/8 inch TRS jack, stereo, 15 ohms impedance
Synchronization
- Sync input/output: 2 x 1/8 inch TRS (tip for clock and ring for start message) over 2.5 V
- Trigger outputs: LT and HT 2 x +15 V, 1PPS/24PPQ/48PPQ pulse width 50%, 2PPQ narrow pulse width
USB
- USB: USB 2.0 class-compliant, type B
- Supported operating systems: Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS X 10.6.8 or higher
Power and Environment
- Power supply: External power adapter 9 V DC, 670 mA
- Power consumption: 2 W max
- Indicator: Power LED
- Operating temperature: 5degC - 40degC (41degF - 104degF)
Physical
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 56 x 305 x 165 mm (2.2 x 12 x 6.5 inches)
- Weight: 0.9 kg (2.0 lbs)
- Shipping weight: 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs)