Essential Information About the "Behringer Rhythm Designer RD-9" Synthesizer
- Hybrid engine faithful to the TR-909 spirit: 7 analog voices + 4 sampled voices for punchy house/techno drums.
- 64-step sequencer designed for live performance: step and note repetition, live overdub, polymeter, continuous swing.
- FX bus with Wave Designer (attack/sustain) and analog bi-mode LPF/HPF filter, automatable per step.
- Professional connectivity: 10 individual outputs, USB/MIDI, 3 triggers, import/export playback of 256 patterns and 16 songs.
A Modern Tribute to the TR-909, Designed for the Stage
The RD-9 captures the legendary character of the 909 and modernizes it for current setups. Behringer adds a performance workflow, an assignable analog filter, and an integrated Wave Designer, all housed in a chassis with straightforward ergonomics to become the rhythmic heart of your studio and live setup.
Who Is It For and What For?
Ideal for producers and live performers in house, techno, electro, synthwave, or ambient, the RD-9 suits both motivated beginners and advanced users. Its ultra-clear step programming speeds up groove sketching, while dedicated controls and separate outputs appeal to demanding sound engineers and performers.
Features and Innovations
The 64-step sequencer allows quick creation of dynamic patterns (global accent, flam, probability, step/note repetition, real-time triggering, overdub). Memory supports up to 256 patterns and 16 songs, chainable live with automatic scrolling, import/export during playback, and part organization. The internal FX bus adds character thanks to the Wave Designer (attack/sustain) and the analog bi-mode LPF/HPF filter with cutoff and resonance, both assignable per voice and automatable per step. Each instrument has dedicated settings (tuning, level, attack/decay depending on the voice) to sculpt massive kicks, snappy snares, tonal toms, and gritty hats. For integration, the RD-9 offers 10 individual outputs, a main output, USB/MIDI In/Out/Thru, 3 trigger outputs, and internal/external sync options to control or be controlled by your hardware and DAW.
Technical Specifications
Voices and Sound Engine
- Number of sounds: 11
- Analog voices: kick drum, snare drum, low tom, mid tom, high tom, rim shot, clap
- Digital (sampled) voices: closed hi-hat, open hi-hat, crash, ride
- Number of simultaneous voices: 10
- Global accent
- Kick drum: tuning, level, attack, decay, pitch, note depth
- Snare drum: tuning, level, tone, snap
- Toms (low/mid/high): level, tuning, decay
- Rim shot / clap: level
- Closed/open hi-hats: tuning, level, CH decay, OH decay
- Cymbals: crash level + tuning; ride level + tuning
- Voice selection: 11 dedicated buttons
Sequencer and Memory
- 64-step step sequencer, continuous swing, polymeter
- Functions: step repetition, note repetition, real-time triggering, step overdub, mute/solo per track
- Memory: 256 patterns and 16 songs; import/export during playback
- Pattern and Song modes to organize parts and chain songs
Effects and Performance
- Integrated FX bus with Wave Designer (attack, sustain) and analog bi-mode LPF/HPF filter
- Assignable per voice, cutoff and sweeps recording/editing per step
- Performance parameters: Tempo, Swing, Probability, Flam, Random
- Auto-scroll function for improvisation in all modes
Connectivity
- Audio outputs: headphones 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo (8 ohm impedance), main mono output 1 x 1/4" TRS servo-balanced
- Individual voice outputs: 10 x 1/4" TS unbalanced
- Return (input): 1 x 1/4" TRS balanced
- MIDI: In/Out/Thru on 3 x 5-pin DIN connectors
- USB: USB 2.0 class-compliant, type B (MIDI and synchronization)
- Trigger outputs: 3 x +5 V, 2 ms pulse
- Sync In/Out: 2 x 1/8" TRS (tip clock, ring start message)
Interface and Compatibility
- Controls: 33 buttons, 58 keys; parameter encoder
- High-visibility LED display
- Volume controls: Master, Phones
- Supported systems: Windows 7 or higher, macOS 10.6.8 or higher
- Sync options: USB, MIDI, external clock, internal clock