Alesis SR 18 Drum Machine User Reviews

Submitted February 20, 2020 by Regina G in Taylorsville, MS

"Alesis SR18"

Overall:

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My first time ordering from zZounds and will definitely be ordering again in the future. The Alexis SR18 is exactly what my husband wanted and expected of it. Love it! Next day free shipping as well!

Musical Background:

Professional musican. Lead guitar and vocals for over 40 yrs.

Musical Style:

Blues, country, rock.

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Submitted July 3, 2023 by a customer from gmail.com

"Great Sounding Drum Machine, Terribly Arranged Samples"

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The Alesis SR-18 is a welcome update to the now classic SR-16. The sample library is very extensive, ranging from acoustic to electronic sounds. Honestly you could definitely write a full track off this unit and this unit alone with some creative sequencing and the help of a DAW. The SR-18 sounds are wonderfully editable with pitch adjustment up and down an octave, low-pass non-resonant filtering, and, probably most importantly, decay editing. The onboard compression/EQ processing options sound quite good and the reverb algorithms are actually stellar in my opinion as well. They really deliver amazing & lush sounding standard reverbs as well as more washed out or effecty type algorithms. The onboard sequencer is easy to use but a little tiresome. Sequencing from a computer is much better for getting the nuances of off-the-grid looseness. If you wanted to gig with it you could program in the DAW and then record unquantized straight in to keep your original computer programmed feel. The only real downside to this unit, and it’s somewhat irksome, is that the sample library isn’t organized super intuitively. Alike samples aren’t always grouped together so if you’re looking for which clap to use for instance, you can’t just browse all the options in series. Apart from that the samples are really quite useable and even the bass/synth sounds are pretty interesting too even if they don’t have any real-time control. I used to record full drum mixes off this with all the effects going and loved my results. I’ve always sequenced from Ableton but now for finer control I record each drum sample into my DAW after sequencing and load each sound into an instance of a sampler to really get fine control of processing and EQ. Also don’t forget to check the phase of each sample if you choose to do it this way. Sonically aligning your phases will do wonders for a mix when using samples as opposed to analog waveforms which have different phases with each note. Your mix will sound fuller from just adjusting the phase of each sample. You will hear the difference. The SR-18 does so much to enhance the SR-16 that I really hope we get a similar & unexpected leap to what Alesis does in its hopeful next upgrade.

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Submitted April 10, 2023 by David S in Boone, NC

"Fantastic Upgrade from HR16"

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This is a great drum machine for writing live drum kit sounding drum parts (fills included) and arranging those parts into a songs. Sounds like a real drummer if programmed correctly, if, of course, that's what your after. This is not a groove box (could be programmed that way, actually) nor is it a workstation. I REALLY like mine and have created some solo recordings that sound as if I have a real drummer. You have to learn it and work at it.

Musical Background:

professional

Musical Style:

All Styles

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Submitted March 15, 2015 by Fred W in Laurel, DE

"Pay the drummer and bass player only once"

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The SR 18 by Alesis is great. I use it for a 1 man jazz organ trio gig. The sounds are realistic across the board and the unit is a breeze to use.

Musical Background:

professional

Musical Style:

old organ trio jazz

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Submitted April 12, 2008 by a customer from gmail.com

"It's an SR-16 on roids"

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I cant speak for others but this machine does what i want it to do and it does it very well, it's predecessor was widely sold/used from 1989 till today, this one might just do the same, alesis-sr20 in 2037?

Sound

The sounds are excellent quality. The sound from the out's is powerful and clear, some cheesy drums included but its just a matter of taste i guess. The bass feature is a bonus so im not gonna be too judgemental on that one but it gives you 3 ocataves(i think)of basses, some are pretty cool, some are blah.

Features

great sequencing, menus are easy once you read the book, comes with an ac adapter.. some people might take issue with the outs, all are 1/4 inchers and midi, but there's headphones, aux, left out right out etc, so there are a bunch.

Ease of Use

even with the limited LCD the machine is easy to use. The documentation is very clearly written. The limited display and interface only becomes an issue when step editing certain events in high step patterns.. no big deal, takes a little patience. Buttons/wheel feel great.

Quality

the build of this thing is easily described: Solid. Solid plastic, sturdy pads, wheel feels durable, no flex. This thing doesnt feel at all hollow, it feels like thick plastic with a solid metal core.

Value

I think this is well worth the price most are selling it for, if it was msrp.. well still worth it, but harder to pull the trigger on it.

Manufacturer Support

Dont know anything about the support.

The Wow Factor

this thing looks, sounds and feels great.

Musical Background:

Hobbyist

Musical Style:

Rock/Metal/Techno/Industrial/Ambient/Electronic/Alternative/Blues

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Submitted March 15, 2011 by a customer from prodigesoftware.com

"Good sounds and real-time recording; poor song assembly software (no real-time bass transposition)"

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Not very happy with the song editor and pattern step editor. I like the sounds however.

Sound

Some drum sounds are excellent, and sound similar to real drums, if that is what you wish to have. I have good high frequency hearing, and the 44.1K sample rate is not good enough to reproduce cymbal sounds accurately. It is CD quality, if that is good enough for you. Some of the drum sounds are better that the Zoom RT-223, but the Zoom has more control over the effects. The SR18 only offers a large range of preset effects; you cannot modify them in any way. The SR18 probably has better drum presets, and they all have fills and A/B parts, but the SR18 song editing has a major flaw if you wish to use the bass track. I explain this in the features section.

Features

The SR18 software has major flaws. When you assembly a Song from Patterns, you create a series of "steps" with each step playing one Pattern. You are not given an opportunity to specify either the number of bars for the step (it must be the length of the Pattern) or the bass root, or transposition, of the step. This means your Patterns must already be transposed to exactly the right key, and they have to be exactly the right length. I wished to create a blues song quickly. Some blues patterns are great, but I could not assemble them into a song without first copying them into an empty user pattern and modifying the bass notes. In some cases I needed to change the length of the pattern, to shorten it. This is not explained in the manual but it is possible by setting the "recording settings" pattern length, and saving the pattern again. Once you shorten the pattern, you lose your fills... they are at the end, because a fill pattern is the same length as an A/B pattern. The Zoom RT-223 does not have these problems. With the Zoom, you can specify the number of bars played for each step in a Song, as well as the bass key.

Ease of Use

It is easy to use if you mute the bass and use only the drums. It is good for live use, with the foot-switch controls. For creating songs with bass tracks, it is hard to use, because of the problems specified in the features section. Also, step editing built-in patterns can be difficult. First you copy it to an empty user space. Then, you select a quantization and swing amount that matches the smallest time interval used in the pattern. How do you figure out the swing amount? You have to guess. Why is this important? When you go to the next "step" in the pattern, using step editing, it takes you forward in time by the quantization interval and the swing. If there is no event at that point in time, you cannot edit anything. If you skipped over an event, you cannot edit it. Many built-in patterns do not use quantization, so the only practical way to edit them is to set the quantization to 96 parts per quarter note, and tediously step 96 times for each quarter note. This is crazy and indicates a poor software design. The Zoom RT-223 does not suffer this problem. Step editing allows you to jump directly to the next event as it should. Another problem with the SR-18 is you have to hit the pads with a small hammer to get the highest velocity setting. You really get only a few practical velocity variations if you use your fingers. It is as if the pads were for drumsticks.

Quality

Excellent quality, except the jacks are plastic, not metal. It is made in Taiwan, not communist China. The only mechanical flaw is the wrong pads -- they seem to be for drumsticks, not fingers.

Value

Excellent value for the sounds and patterns. Poor value for the software for editing songs, and for step editing patterns.

Manufacturer Support

I did not use support.

Musical Background:

Amateur

Musical Style:

Blues, various

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Submitted October 21, 2014 by Marty Smith

"Not user friendly"

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This drum machine is everything they claim it to be as far as sound quality, effects, available processes. The problem is, unless you are a studio tech. and can spend hours and hours working out a particular pieces, it is probably not your cup of tea. If you looking for something quick and easy to lay out a simple drum and bass line look somewhere else. For example the key of the bass line can be changed to play in the key of your choice, however, you must first figure out what key the preset bass line is in. To do this you need to use a second sound source such as a guitar or piano that you know the key of, listen by ear to both until you match the key of the bass line. Now you can change that key up or down to where you would like. With such a high tech device could it not have been much simpler to just show the key of the bass line on the display? For the advanced user this machine should not be disappointing in the least, but for the basic end user just wanting to add a quick bass and drum beat, it is much to complicated and not at all user friendly.

Musical Background:

Been playing for 40+ years.

Musical Style:

A little bit of everything but mostly country.

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Submitted January 8, 2012 by a customer from yahoo.com

"An bleeping Idiot set up the unfriendly user menu on a quality device."

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As soon as I find another product that sounds this good but is user-friendly to program I will buy it immediately. I am already looking but can't send back because I need it and that would put me too far behind. I would buy something else if it was stolen.

Sound

Sound quality is great. Although way too many cowbells and goofy snares in the programmed presets rendering most unusable without editing them. Programming really SUCKS. If it didn't sound this good, I would have returned it.

Features

Building your own patterns is a Must. Could BE A MUCH EASIER PROCESS. Programmed presets are not very compatible with Rock/Metal compositions. Out of all the different patterns, not many are usable. Way too many obscure beats and the ones that are supposedly for Rock are either too generic or accented at the wrong beat. More relevant beats on my Digitech pedal than this drum machine. I've gotten many , many headaches from the programming process.

Ease of Use

I have wanted to punch a programmer in the face 101 times in the last 2 months. They could not have made this machine more user-unfriendly. I build computers , use various editing software, and program all my pedals to my taste so I do have some experience. Every single modification you make seems to be forgotten as soon as you try to navigate the clunky menu to save and edit and press more buttons than necessary to try and complete even the most simple task. A total IDIOT set this up throwing the Rock patterns all over the Menu in random spots instead of grouping the genres where I have to keep the pattern list handy because the fools had to throw patterns around the menu randomly for no apparent reason except to piss you off. Learning Curve? I would have thrown it out the window if I didn't NEED drums. Not a playable instrument with the tiny pads but they work fine for pattern construction.

Quality

Seems very well built. Had good luck with Alesis in the past so I trust them.

Value

I should get half my money back with as many headaches as I've gotten programming and creating beats.

Manufacturer Support

Wish they had programmers that were musicians so they could figure out musicians don't want to waste so much time creating their own patterns. Photoshop and sign making software are easier to use than this device, and that's pathetic.

The Wow Factor

I'll give it a 5 since I have it and still want it to produce drums for my songs. It sounds good, just didn't want programming a machine to take up my day I could have spent playing guitar.

Musical Background:

Over 10 years. Guitar, have played professionally, now recording at home.

Musical Style:

Rock, Metal

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Submitted February 6, 2017 by Frank Ariz in San Antonio, TX

"Discouraging Dum Machine"

Overall:

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1. MIDI synch does not work very well with Boss DR-5 midi controller 2. Patterns are erased when turning on and off (straight out of the box new) 3. Tom-Toms are not in order from high to low when scrolling through sounds 4. You have to press play and record at the same time to program patterns 5. Too many odd sounds that are not drums at all or even worth using 6. Too many unnecessary articulation set ups 7. Cymbals sound like a kids toy drum set 8. Pads and velocity does not change even when set to LOUD 9. Bass tones are not realistic 10.. SR -16 is much more straight forward

Musical Background:

35 years live guitar/bass/vocals performing and 20 years recording

Musical Style:

Country, Rock, Black Metal, Waveform, Ballad, Love songs, Christian Rock. Rap

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Submitted February 9, 2015 by Miguel Flores in Shafter, CA

"Great but falls a little short."

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The Alesis drum machine is great sounding and very easy to use, but it does fall a little short. The machine offers a large data base of sounds and rhythmms but the only one it doesnt offer is actually the one reason I bought a drum machine in the first place. The Cumbia rhtyhm is not installed in the machine, you can have someone install it for you or prgram it but it comes with a large fee.

Musical Background:

16yrs playing professionally. I play drums

Musical Style:

Cumbia, Rock, Latin Rock, Norteno,

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Submitted October 19, 2020 by Eugene Flowers in Gulfport, MS

"Works well when it work"

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I brought this unit in April it died in August, unfortunately it was passed my 45 days return so I tired to contact Alesis for my warranty and it's now mid October and I am still waiting. I love this unit but very upset that I haven't heard from the company yet. All I can say is good luck , and I hope that yours can last longer than 4 months.

Musical Background:

GUITAR,BASS,KEYBOARD,AND BRASS.

Musical Style:

Gospel

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Submitted November 24, 2012 by Joseph C in Rochester, NY

"Not User Friendly"

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Out of the box and just jaming it has an incredible sound very close to a real drummer. However, I have to mute the bass and play bass with my left hand, chords (Hammond XK3) with my right and I sound like a 3 peace rocknroll group. Add a guitar player and it does sound like a real band. The fills are incredible.With that said, the bass lines that are pre-programmed are incredible, but they do not change in basic progressions. For example a basic blues or rock progression goes somethng like this 1-4-1-4-5 or a 1-6-4-5 (sears robuck changes) In any event, the bass player feature although incredible you are simply stuck with a 1 and 4. You can't complete the progression unless you mute out the bass. They have a fill feature A and B. They just needed to add C and change it if you want a 1-6-4-5 progression. Those are basic to rock and roll and could have been easily incorporated into the programming. I suspect a musician did not program this machine or he would have understood basic patterns.The machine can be used for a live proformance as long as the bass feature is muted and you have a real bass player or play left hand bass on keyboard. Those bass lines are not as good as the proprogrammed ones.As far as programming it to a "song" I have no idea what the hell they are talking about. Its written in techie language and not easy to do any of these functions.It would be nice to have a feature to stop abruptly (which you can with a foot switch) then press another foot switch for a different tempo and back to the original tempo. Its not happening with this machine.Its truly not user friendly but what is there sounds incredible for blues and rock. I would like to locate a drum machine that follows basic changes as described above.

Musical Background:

Long time and old 50's and 60's rocknroller. Play in a live band 4 gigs a year. Practice a lot.

Musical Style:

Blues, rock and roll 50's, 60's some 70's and 80's. Jerry Lee Louis, Elvis, Wilson Picket, Great box for Mustang Sally as long a

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Submitted December 9, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com

"Obviously these guys have never performed a live gig."

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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

For a live performing, stage/club musician without a preconceived set list, it's a disaster.

Sound

The sound is very good, a big improvement from my old drum machine. I'm not quite sure what to do with the bass sounds, however. Why couldn't they release a fake book chord chart of all the different sounds, so you know what the bass is playing? They certainly know... they programmed it! Why do I have to go through and write down what the key and chord progressions are? How time consuming and redundant!

Features

It should come standard with pedal switches. Very few live performers wouldn't want them.

Ease of Use

This is (so far) a BIG BIG disappointment. I waited 20 years to update my old Roland Compu0Rhythm CR-8000 (the one they used on Revenge of the Nerds!) and I have to tell you, that thing was SOO much easier to use performing live and off the cuff. 1. The rotary dial should be a knob not a rotary dial. the fingers are good at twisting a knob, not so good at spinning in a circle without finger coming out of the little indentation in the knob. 2. You should NOT have to hold down the tempo button while spinning the dial to change tempo playing live. Either it takes two hands (how you gonna keep playing?) or you run a GREAT risk of having your thumb slip off the tempo button while spinning the dial, which means you just changed rhythm and tempo DRAMATICALLY right in the middle of a song, for Pete's sake. What were they thinking? 3. I know small is "cool" but for live playing all the buttons should be twice as big, even if that means making the total size bigger. With all the stuff going on/keyboards around me while I'm playing, the Alesis has to be 3 ft away, and it is hard to hit the tiny buttons accurately, much less read the writing quickly and in a dark night club. Obviously, these guys are techno geeks, not real musicians who play live in the real world. 4. They should allow you to change preset rhythms without automatically jumping to a different tempo. They way they have it, I have to conform my pieces to the rigidity of the machine, rather than the machine conforming to the way I want to play a piece. I want a preset rhythm, then I can quickly with one hand twist a dial to the tempo I want. My CompuRhythm 8000 was MUCH better at this. If anyone knows a rhytym unit that will do what I want, please send me a Youtube message to channel "MayadaJeffery". thanks.

Quality

I'm sure the quality is fine. I haven't had it out much yet, as I'm still figuring out if I'm even gonna be able to use it in a live, spontaeous gig situation.

Value

It certainly is inexpensive for the quality and quantity of sounds you get.

Manufacturer Support

unknown

Musical Background:

40+ years, started when I was 5

Musical Style:

everything

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Submitted June 11, 2017 by Tom Mathis in Collierville, TN

"Old Session Player"

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I have spent countless hours trying to figure out how to program just one song and I am still not there. The manual is a total waste. The bass plays one key I find no way to change it. Then how do you blend it with the drums and record and save it? The SR18 would be great if it worked.

Musical Background:

I am a professional musician. A guitarist and own a studio. In music for 50 years.

Musical Style:

all styles

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Submitted October 19, 2009

Alesis SR18 Drum Machine Customer Review

Overall:

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this unit is not what i am looking for at all . I just wanted something that would keep a beat for me . while i played an old countrty western tune

Sound

the sound is great. but try to put it to music lol good luck

Features

i dont know

Ease of Use

I may be stun. But i dont think so. good luck

Quality

it is not made cheap

Value

i lost my shirt on this unit

Manufacturer Support

never tried to reach them

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