Behringer RD-765 Drum Machine Combines Analog Filtering, Sampling With Vintage Drum Machine Sounds
Behringer’s upcoming RD-765 combines vintage-inspired drum sounds with user sampling, analog filtering, and a feature-rich 64-step sequencer.
Behringer has introduced the RD-765 Rhythm Designer, a new hardware drum machine that brings together the sounds of several classic 1980s Roland drum boxes with sampling and updated sequencing and sound-mangling capabilities.
Rather than copying a single vintage instrument, the RD-765 features a collection of built-in drum sounds, along with the ability to record and tune user samples, shape individual voices with an analog filter, and build patterns using an extended sequencer.
Features:
- The RD-765 includes a collection of built-in library of 176 drum sounds associated with classic rhythm machines.
- The integrated sampling function allows users to record external audio and assign samples to individual instrument channels. Samples can be tuned across a range of two octaves in either direction, providing options for incorporating original percussion, found sounds, and other audio sources into drum patterns.
- A dual-mode analog filter offers low-pass and high-pass operation. The filter can be assigned to individual voices, allowing users to shape selected parts of a kit rather than processing every sound in the same way. Filter cutoff movements can also be recorded into patterns.
- The Wave Designer section provides attack shaping for adjusting the initial transient of a sound. This can be used to emphasize or soften the impact of kicks, snares, and other percussion.
- A bitcrusher reduces sample bit depth to introduce digital distortion and lo-fi textures. Used alongside the filter and transient shaping, it gives users additional ways to modify the built-in sounds and recorded samples.
- The sequencer supports patterns up to 64 steps, with both real-time and step-based programming. Swing, per-voice probability, and recorded filter movements provide additional ways to vary patterns and introduce movement into repeated parts.
- Additional sequencing functions reported for the RD-765 include microtiming, flam, note repeat, and polymeter, allowing individual drum parts to use different pattern lengths. These features can support grooves that move beyond a conventional repeating pattern.
- The hardware provides hands-on controls for working with its drum voices and patterns.
- Connections include main stereo outputs, individual voice outputs, a sampling input, MIDI In/Out/Thru, USB, sync connections, and assignable trigger outputs. The connections support integration with external instruments, sequencers, mixers, and modular or semi-modular setups.
Behringer has listed the RD-765 drum machine, but an official price and release date are still to be announced.
