I want an RD-9 pretty badly, but I’m wondering what the “next step up” would be for a similar machine. I’m mostly interested in the very simple xox interface and the nice sound. Analog kicks are important but samples for other things okay
I’m thinking: tanzbar and alphabase are the only thing close for under RE-909 prices
Just wait for Behringer Linndrum out very soon. Its the ultimate drum machine from the past.
I think the Tanzmaus was the MFB machine that was supposed to be closer to a 909. they’re pricey these days though, as MFB are done. they do sound great but I’ve heard they are very “shift button centric” for editing.
I’d suggest a RYTM mk1. you get samples and analog drums all in one box, and with the best drum machine sequencer you could ask for.
the Steda SR-909 is really great as well. they’re generally cheaper than the RE-909, but you have to either find or build one. complete (unbuilt) kits are $1k.
Thanks. I have had my eye on RYTM mk1. I love how they look. MFBs seem to break over time so makes me nervous.
@BuzzLightsout oh I forgot about that one. I will look into that
The Rytm is sick but you’ll find yourself wanting to use samples for some of the 909 sounds.
Dual Vco engine is serious fun though, all sorts of crazy bass and drum sounds possible with that “machine”
There’s no tech demos , tech info , sound demos , no reports on stability , menu diving , how close it gets to ‘ye olde classic sound ‘
So basically … so far it looks a bit like the old one but that’s all the info there is.
And it comes in a cardboard box that someone opened.
well only kick, snare, clap and toms in the 909 are analog. the rest are samples. I think the RYTM does a convincing job of these analog sounds (maybe not 100% perfect 909 sound, but it’s not meant to be). except the clap. the clap in the RYTM is shit. you’ll want a sample for that.
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You obviously don’t remember the boxes the originals were sent in 
The rimshot is also fully analog. The hats / cymbals / ride are based on samples.
I have owned and sold a TR909 (a long time ago) and I own an RD9 which I bought last year. Its so solid and the ENHANCED mode makes it a monster and much more usable than the original. The kick is exceptional and can be really deep and fat. I just wish Behringer had some extra money spent on the step buttons as they feel a little too spongy.
One of my favourite machines and so close to the original that you can spend the money you save on far more important stuff than a premium 909 clone
Do you run anything for effects on your RD-9?
I’m scheming about EHX platform compression pedal and possibly a Pioneer EFX-1000. I also have a boss BX mixer I could slam the signal into
I’ve got nice preamps on the Zed R16 A&H mixer I own, so I never felt it necessary to add anything other than channel EQ.
For FX I’m using an Eventide H9 for mostly room reverb which helps add dimension without cluttering the mix. I mainly add it to hats and snare / clap etc.
I recently picked up an RD-9. I’m sending the BD and hats out to my interface individually and then the rest (mainly clap and ride) on the master out. Can anyone offer me advice regarding mixing these elements? I like that 90s techno sound (think Surgeon and his Raw Tax EPs so I’ve been using overdrive/saturation on the individual sounds and also the drum buss as a whole but not getting the sound I want. Struggling with getting the levels to sit right and it not to sound a mess. I got a better balance of the sounds when just using the master mix but the kick lacks punch when you don’t use the individual out. Any tips and advice appreciated!
If you can solder, all you need to do is solder an electrolytic capacitor to fix the issue with the lack of punch on the main out.
https://maffez.com/?page_id=1814
Very interesting! I seem to have missed this very important tidbit regarding the RD9, I thought only the highend was lacking the 6dB/oct filtering… This actually explains one odd situtation I once had with my RD9, I skipped using the indiouts that time and just plugged the stereo out into a DJ mixer… and it sounded like it was lacking lowend somehow. Always thought it was the mixer and not the RD9 
Once I added that capacitor, it made all the difference. It’s such a quick and easy mod. Takes less time to solder than to unscrew the bottom panel. Mixing everything through the main out is nice and punchy again. I forgot all about it until Pulsar mentioned the issue. I should take mine out for a spin again since I replaced my mixer.
Never soldered anything before though I consider myself dextrous. Is it going to be easy as a first venture?
If you never soldered before, then you’ll need to practice beforehand. Check out some YouTube videos on how to get started. It’s really easy. But you gotta be able to solder properly, regardless of how easy this job is in particular.
Check this out
