Behringer RD-9: The 909 Rebuild with Its Own Character
· re:union Radio editorial · 3 min read
The Behringer RD-9 brings back the Roland TR-909 sound: eleven analog drum voices, a 64-step sequencer, MIDI and USB for techno production.
The Behringer RD-9 is an analog drum machine that takes its sonic and visual cues from the legendary Roland TR-909 – without being a straight clone. Available since June 2021, it targets producers who want that characteristic 909 sound in their studio or live rig.
At a glance
- Eleven analog drum sounds, including bass drum, snare, toms, rim shot, clap, plus hi-hats and cymbals
- 64-step sequencer with poly-meter, step-repeat, note-repeat, and real-time triggering
- Storage for up to 16 songs and several hundred patterns
- MIDI In/Out/Thru and USB-B (USB-MIDI) for studio integration
Successor to the RD-8 with Targeted Feedback
Behringer positioned the RD-9 as an evolution of the RD-8, incorporating feedback from the user base. New additions include separately adjustable pitch and pitch depth for the bass drum, plus a dedicated tune function for the hi-hat. If you want to deliberately dial back the sound, you can disable the so-called Enhanced Mode and run the machine closer to the 1980s sonic picture.
Sound Shaping per Instrument
Each of the eleven sounds can be shaped individually via knobs for tuning, level, attack, and decay. The snare gets an additional filter for timbre and a snap control. Accent and flam let you dynamically accent any instrument. A wave designer dives into transients and sustain: crank the attack knob for punchier hits, while high sustain yields more staccato-style strikes. A dual-mode filter rounds out the package.
Sequencer and Studio Connectivity
The 64-step sequencer allows poly-meter, step- and note-repeat, plus track mute and solo for spontaneous arranging. In pattern mode, you can build song structures on the fly via real-time triggering and live step overdubbing, with an auto-fill function serving up fitting variations. Sync Out lets the RD-9 drive external hardware in its own tempo, while Sync In subordinates it to an external clock. If you're building beats for setups with deeper computer integration, you'll also find alternatives like the Native Instruments Maschine+, which runs completely without a laptop.
| Sounds | 11 (Bass Drum, Snare, Low/Mid/High Tom, Rim Shot, Clap, Open/Closed Hi-Hat, Ride/Crash Cymbal) |
|---|---|
| Sequencer | 64 Steps, Poly-Meter, up to 16 songs and several hundred patterns storable |
| Connections | MIDI In/Out/Thru, USB-B (USB-MIDI), Sync In/Out, 10 individual outputs, 3 trigger outputs, line and headphone output |
| Dimensions | 477 x 264 x 78 mm, external 18 V power supply |
| Available since | June 2021 |
"With the RD-9, Behringer presents the long-awaited rhythm machine modeled on Roland's legendary TR-909. But this isn't a simple clone; instead, the concept has been upgraded with cutting-edge tech and equipped with new functions."
How close the RD-9 sits sonically to the original is summed up by a user review voice like this:
"For the friends of the finest detail: Yes, if you spend your evening comparing every sound in every setting between the 909 and RD-9, you'll hear differences. But it just sounds different, not better or worse."
For beginners putting together their first rig, it's also worth checking our overview of the DJ Setup for Beginners, which breaks down what components you actually need to get started.
FAQ
Is the RD-9 a straight clone of the TR-909?
No. Behringer describes the RD-9 itself as an evolution with new features like separate bass drum pitch, hi-hat tune, and a defeatable Enhanced Mode – not a faithful replica.
Can the RD-9 be integrated into existing hardware setups?
Yes. Besides MIDI In/Out/Thru and USB-MIDI, Sync In and Sync Out are on board, letting you sync the RD-9 with other hardware.
Source: Thomann, Behringer RD-9 product page.
