The most anticipated new drum machine of 2019 is nearly 40 years old. Or at least its inspiration is.

Behringer has announced that the RD-8 (renamed under legal duress) has begun shipping and is on the way to retailers. The company’s new drum machine, based upon the iconic Roland TR-808, has been widely hyped for the last two years.

On #808Day (August 8), Behringer teased a pair of photographs which featured 808s being displayed and tested in one and several boxes on a wooden pallet in another.

This morning the company announced that Thomann Music, Behringer’s German retailer, had elected to have the first batch of RD-8s shipped by airfreign and would be on their portal very soon.

Back orders for the #RD8 are among the highest ever in our 30-year company history.”