The True Warhorse of the Digital Age 
by Robbie Ryan, Drum Machine Lover from McKinney, TX USA, April 2008
Music Background:  Post Production Audio/Video Composer

While it may not have the same rep as the old classic Analog boxes, this drum machine will likely forever hold the record of being the longest drum machine in production-period. I remember using this in my first band back in the early 90s and digging its crisp sounds and rock and roll feel. After using it on tons of tracks and hearing it in demo after demo, this piece truly stands the test of time and is a great value. If you need something just for a quick rhythm while you put together a track, you can get it from this little beast and not lose any inspiration while you boot your OS. Great piece that will likely be popular for years to come.

  Legend in its own time... 
by Aaron from Seattle, WA USA, April 2007
Music Background:  Hobbyist and experimental gear collector

I am a guitar player/bass player with my roots deep in punk flavored metal/hardcore. I am most fond of experimenting with pedals, processors and gear for the sheer sake of pushing them to limits to see what kind of unintended noise they can make. In that spirit, I randomly decided to buy the SR-16, I have read countless favorable reviews and personally have had positive experiences with Alesis gear (their Microverb4). It costs less than many popular guitar effects boxes yet does a whole lot more than most one trick pony machines. The sales guy in the pro audio dept. of the large chain where I bought it was helpful and told me the SR-16 was basically the same machine it was 10 or 12 years ago, except now it had a headphone jack, I like that, and so do my cats. I am new to experimenting with electronic beats and keys and synths and such. I bought the SR-16 based on its rep as a feature empty workhorse with a large fanbase. All I really wanted was the ability to put fast, synthetic sounding beats behind raw junky sounding guitar. It will do that, but it does much more. If you want tech specs, search the web there are plenty. All I know is that the SR-16 is way easy to learn and use, even for a meathead like me who can only turn distortion box knobs and step on things. Some of the sounds and beats are somewhat dated, as I hear they've not updated them over the product's history. Some sounds are reminiscent of demos on old Casio keyboard trainers for kids, awash in poppy reverb and smacking of basement produced dance parties. That's part of the charm of the SR-16, there are more feature laden machines out there, but none that deliver classic basic sounds on a budget. This is the white work van of drum machines, it does not promise the future, butaffirms that oftentimes basic is best. I trust Alesis too, after owning the Microverb IV for 8 or so years. It's never had a proper home in a rack, it's been stepped on, fallen from amps and stage setups and been loaned to careless musicians, yet almost a decade later it works EXACTLY as it did when new. The SR-16 is plastic and rubber but I believe it's manufactured with Alesis' subtle reputation in mind. I keep mine in the box when not using it but it gets used and I tend to punch the velocity sensitive keys to their limit. As this is the digital emulation of a collection of objects meant to be hit violently with sticks, it had better hold up to some abuse!! I have read accounts of spilled beer, water, rain and errant crowd members all doing their best to ruin someone's SR-16 to no avail. This standard seems to take a beating and deliver classic basic beats and kits. I still have not explored mine or pushed it as far as I want to, but rest assured it will continue to get use, even if I'm just making noise through headphones to try to blast through a night of insomnia.

  Great drum machine - great value 
by Song Work Bench from Richmond, VA, April 2007

This is a simple, easy-to-use and power drum machine. Large selection of quality sounds, ability to select individual drums, etc. and save as a custom kit. Easy to save patterns and songs.

Best part is the touch sensitive pads combined with the ability to slow down the recording of a pattern. You can really do some cool, realistic stuff.

  Dependable little box 
by Vince from vangeloni@mac.com, July 2006
Music Background:  hobbyist

My Alesis SR-16 was originally purchased when it was first introduced back in the early 90's. I have had no problems whatsoever with this unit and it continues to serve me well. The User Interface is simple and straight forward, with a great selection of drum kits given the low price. A dependable unit that is easy to program and use. Recommended highly for this price range.

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