Behringer RD-78: Classic Analog Sounds, New Possibilities
Few drum machines hold the same legendary status as the Roland CR-78. Released in 1978, it was a milestone in drum machine history—the first programmable drum machine, a feature that would shape the future of electronic music. The CR-78 originally catered to home organists, but its warm analog percussion, quirky rhythms, and lush tonal balance quickly became a secret weapon for forward-thinking producers. It played a defining role in tracks like Phil Collins’ "In the Air Tonight", Blondie’s "Heart of Glass", and Hall & Oates’ "I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)", proving that a machine designed for easy accompaniment could instead drive entire songs. However, as with most vintage gear, the CR-78 has become rare and expensive. Finding an original in good condition today can set you back well over $5,000. And even if you manage to track one down, the quirks of 40-year-old circuitry, the need for a WS-1 programmer to create custom beats, and its limited connectivity make it more of a collector’s piece than an everyday tool for modern production. Enter Behringer’s RD-78, an affordable reimagining of this classic that promises to retain the essence of the CR-78 while making it more practical, affordable, and flexible. Behringer has been making a name for itself by resurrecting vintage machines at budget-friendly prices, and the RD-78 may be its most interesting drum machine release yet.
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Engine Versatility and Sound Design
At its core, the RD-78 is an authentic analog recreation of the CR-78, meaning it doesn’t rely on digital samples or modeling—it uses real circuitry to capture the warmth and character of the original. The machine features 15 drum voices, including the kick, snare, rimshot, hi-hats, congas, bongos, tambourine, guiro, cymbals, and cowbell. Behringer has added a 909-style clap, expanding the CR-78’s original sound palette.
One of the most defining features of the CR-78 was its built-in preset rhythms, which could be stacked, mixed, and manipulated to create evolving patterns. Behringer has faithfully recreated all 34 of those presets, from bossa nova to rock and disco, allowing producers to tap into the exact grooves that fueled so many classics.
But where the original CR-78 required an external programmer (the WS-1) to create custom beats, the RD-78 features an integrated 16-step sequencer. This means no external accessories are needed to program your own rhythms—something that was a huge limitation of the original. Users can store and recall custom patterns, switch between them in real time, and chain them into full songs with up to 250 bars, making it far more flexible than its predecessor.
The fill-in, rolling, and break variations further enhance the sequencing power, letting users add dynamic transitions to their beats without stopping the groove. This kind of real-time playability is a huge leap forward from the rigid nature of the original CR-78, making the RD-78 more useful for live performance and modern production workflows.
Interface and Playing Experience
Despite its expanded features, the RD-78 still embraces a hands-on, vintage-style workflow. The front panel features 16 step buttons with LED indicators, making programming straightforward even for beginners. Each of the 15 drum sounds has an individual volume control, something that wasn’t present on the original, allowing for better mix balancing without external processing.
For real-time performance, Behringer has included some incredibly useful features:
Real-time pattern switching lets users jump between sequences on the fly.
Drum mutes allow for breakdowns and build-ups without having to stop playback.
A fade-in/fade-out function creates smooth transitions between sections, something that was much harder to achieve with the original.
The Balance knob lets users tweak the mix between bass and treble, a feature inherited directly from the CR-78.
This means that while the RD-78 is faithful to the original, it also removes a lot of the workflow frustrations that came with early drum machines. It invites creativity rather than getting in the way of it.
Connectivity and Limitations
Where the original CR-78 was limited to a single mono output, the RD-78 significantly expands connectivity, making it far more flexible in a studio or live setup. It features:
MIDI In/Out/Thru (DIN and USB) for seamless integration with DAWs and hardware.
Sync In/Out to lock it to external gear like sequencers or synthesizers.
Individual 3.5mm outputs for each drum sound, allowing for independent processing of kick, snare, hats, etc.
A dedicated headphone output and main output for monitoring and performance.
This means you can mix, process, and route your drums in ways that were never possible with the original CR-78. The individual outs alone are a massive improvement, allowing users to EQ, compress, or effect each drum independently in a mix.
However, there are some limitations. The RD-78 stays true to an analog drum machine experience, meaning it doesn’t support sample import. The 16-step sequencer, while true to the vintage approach, may feel limiting for users who prefer more intricate programming.
That being said, if you’re looking for authentic analog sounds rather than sample-based drum programming, these “limitations” may actually be part of the charm. The RD-78 is meant to sound and feel like a true analog drum machine, not a sampler or a digital groovebox.
Is the Behringer RD-78 Right for You?
If you’ve always wanted the warm, quirky analog charm of the CR-78 but weren’t ready to shell out thousands for a vintage unit, the RD-78 is an absolute no-brainer. Priced under 200$, it delivers genuine analog sound, faithful recreations of the classic rhythms, and a far more flexible and modernized workflow.
For those who love vintage drum machines and want authentic CR-78 tones, the RD-78 absolutely nails it. It stays true to the original’s character while making it more practical for today’s musicians. If you’re looking for a performance-friendly drum machine with real-time control, fills, and flexible sequencing, this goes beyond what the original CR-78 ever could. But if your needs include sample import, digital effects, or longer step sequencing, this may not be the right fit—you might be better off with something like an Elektron Model:Cycles or an MPC-style sampler.
For anyone who values the charm of vintage drum machines and wants an analog instrument that blends classic tones with a few modern upgrades, the RD-78 is an easy recommendation. Behringer has taken one of the most influential drum machines ever made and brought it into the modern age at a price that’s impossible to ignore.
Alternatives to the Behringer RD-78
For those looking to capture the CR-78’s signature sound, there are a handful of direct clones and software recreations that offer similar tones with varying levels of authenticity and flexibility. While the RD-78 provides an affordable, hardware-based analog solution, these alternatives may be worth considering depending on your workflow.
Cherry Audio’s CR-78 is a fresh take on the legendary drum machine, combining authentic analog-modeled synthesis with modern features that push it far beyond a simple recreation. Unlike sample-based emulations, it meticulously models the original’s circuitry to capture its punchy, warm sound while allowing deep sound editing via a Voice Edit panel. X0X-style sequencing makes pattern programming intuitive, and with over 250 additional presets beyond the classic rhythms, it offers an expanded creative playground. The integrated effects and mixer section—with overdrive, flanger, delay, gated reverb, compression, and EQ—adds studio-quality polish, while DAW-friendly features like drag-and-drop MIDI export, individual outs, and full automation make it a seamless addition to any workflow. Cherry Audio’s CR-78 isn't just an emulation; it's a fully modern drum machine that reimagines a classic while staying true to its iconic sound.
Another software-based option is AudioThing’s SR-88, which takes inspiration from the CR-78’s sound engine but reimagines it with additional modern processing tools. While not a strict one-to-one clone, it captures the essence of vintage rhythm machines and allows for more creative sound manipulation.
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