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Alesis SR-18

Item ID: SR18

Portable Drum Machine with 32MB sound library and Built-in Effects

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From Our Research Team:

Portable, Pro-grade Alesis Drum Machine

Packed with modern percussion sounds! The Alesis SR-18 is packed with the sounds you want and need,from totally electronic to totally acoustic drums and hits! No matter the style you're after — from rock to hip-hop to country — the 24-bit SR-18 has a large 32MB soundset that's got you covered. Onboard effects include reverb, EQ, and compression, letting you customize each sound to your satisfaction. And for on-the-go music making, the SR-18 can be powered by battery or by the included AC adapter. The SR-18 is your one-stop rhythm solution!





Alesis SR-18 at a Glance:
  • Large sound bank of sounds for any style
  • Battery power for maximum portability
  • Built-in Effects

Large sound bank
The Alesis SR-18 includes a 32MB sound set with a versatile percussion bank. Whatever the playing style, the SR-18 has something for you!

Portable
The SR-18 can be powered by battery, giving you the ability to create great drum patterns wherever you need to go. It can also be powered by an AC adapter for extensive use.

Built-in effects
An integrated effects engine includes reverb, EQ, and Compression. With 100 available user patterns, you can customize each sound to your liking and store them!

Alesis SR-18 Features:
  • Large, 32MB sound set with percussion bank and bass synth
  • Built-in effects including reverb, EQ, and compression
  • Can be powered by six AA batteries for easy portability
  • Can also be powered by an AC adapter
  • Pattern Play Mode enables patterns to be triggered from the pads directly
  • Mute function for parts
  • 24 voice polyphony
  • Backlit LCD
  • MIDI in and out
  • TRS 1/4" aux output
  • Drum roll function
  • Headphone output
  • Instrument input
  • 175 preset patterns
  • 100 user patterns
  • Tempo/value dial
  • Footwitch control for start/stop and count/A-B fill

Recommended Accessories

Everything was exactly as promised. I was impressed with the phone call I received from your guy when I had just placed the order. He was very thorough and professional in every way. I love my new digital piano. Your wide selection and excellent service as well as your "3 Payment Plan" and the 2 year warranty sealed the deal for me on this purchase. No one else could come close.


Cecil, Mesquite, TX

Reviews

based on 7 reviews

The SR-18 is a great machine.

by len shryock from canton ohio
January 11, 2012
Music Background: Rec.eng.pro musician.luthier.inst.builder.
I am still learning things it will do.

One of the best!!

by Anthony Jennings from Covington, KY USA
October 22, 2011
Music Background: Semi-Pro Musician, Engineer, Producer
I own two SR-18's,two SR-16's and one SR-16 eqivalent Performance Pad. The sounds in the SR 16 have served me well for years but I was able to get my hands on the 18 right after having programmed near... read more [+]ly an albums worth of drums on the 16 (and after already having recorded the 16). In other words I was in a position do a proper A/B and see the clear difference between the units. First I had no serious intention of replacing the drums as the sounds on the 16 did the trick-that is until I heard the kicks. The kicks seemed to be more contemporary and modern having a somewaht lower focus. I think they were recorded into the machine using some of the more modern kick mics (like the Audix-D6) Then I noticed the cymbals. On the 16 you could simply change cymbal pitches to vary the hi, mid and low crashes-and this worked for me previously. The cymbals have more variety and sound more "real" to me. They seemed more 3D than the 16's comparatively 2D sound. What was the final nail in the coffin for the 16's parts being replaced were the 18's toms. They were fuller,meatier, more gutteral than the 16's. Though I had no intention of using the bass patches (as I am a bassist), through just messing around I did write a bass part for another song that will now be included on the current project. So the bass sounds are good. Another reviewer mentioned about the main and aux sounds leaking into each other. I did not find this to be the case. In fact the channel leaking or "cross talk" was significantly better on the 18 than the 16. My suspicion is that he probably had the reverb on and that is waht he was hearing. As for programming hardness/easiness that is always a subjective issue. Having logged literally thousands of hours on the 16 (had them since they came out). I did wish the programming was similar so I could work fast but no, it is not the same.....BUT!...ther are some improvements for example lets say you wanted to step edit a part you coulddn't play with fingers (say a complex fill) and you wanted to change quantization in the middle of the pattern on the 16 you'd go back to the beginning of the part with each change on the 18 you can change and stay right where you are. This was a godsend as some of my patterns were quite long and the fills sometimes needed the quantization high or off-to sound more human (waiting through every quant tic took forever! Now you can set the quant low scroll to where you want to be then change the quant back higher ,COOL!! Overall the 18 is WAY better however I did still use two of the 16's snares and the random wet hi hat. The verdict? If you hadn't heard the 18 then the 16 is a great machine and I would use it with no complaints (in fact since I'm faster on the 16 I STILL program with it ) but having heard the 18 it is now my go to unit. I use the 16 to drive the 18 via MIDI. One reviewer mentioned it's difficult programming. Look, every tool since the invention of fire has a learning curve. More features means more learning. You can't expect to fly the Space Shuttle after have gotten you driver's liscence without LEARNING! If you can't get anything out of the 18 (or the 16 for that matter) programming wise (or sonically) then I don't think any other drum machine is going to make a difference. I didn't even mention the effects-I mean Alesis MAKES multieffectors so you know what you're getting.The EQ/compression presets are dramatic enough that to me they expand the 500 sounds into sonically even MORE sounds! I Will probably get one more SR-18 for my next project! close [-]

All I'm Saying

by Rik Neal from Jacksonville Fl.
July 18, 2011
Music Background: 1rst. Band at 14-On the road at 17,The Rest Is History!!
I am a Guitar Player 4 about 35 some yrs. The SR-16 Has kept me ALIVE more than one time!! I have wrote more song's on that damm machine , ZAPPA would be proud!! I for 1 That can not wait to get this ... read more [+]"LIL" Baby into the Studio!! The 16 was the BEST Drummer I ever had!! NEVER Late-No Drug's-A Meter 2 kill for,And the KOOLIST Thang about that Dude is,He ALWAY'S Wanted 2 Play EVERY SONG That I Did!! NOW-That'z a Hard Drummer 2 Find!! Oh Ya ,NO EGO close [-]

SR-16 is great too

by Mike R from Connecticut
January 4, 2010
Music Background: bass player
I am a bass player and I absolutely love my SR-16. I am anxious to try out the new SR-18 too. I only use the preset patterns because I still haven't figured out how to program the thing. Its not easy ... read more [+]- actually its frustrating. The preset patterns do most of waht I need though. I just wish the SR-16 had a few more presets - a bo diddly beat and a walz pattern. close [-]

inSync Review

by: Mike Conyers
The Alesis SR18: Wow! I’ve been writing music for many years, and I really can’t believe... read more »
Read more reviews

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See Also: Drum Machines , Alesis , Alesis Drum Machines / Modules

Alesis SR-18

Today's Payment: $96.33
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In approx. 30 days
Payment 3: $86.33
In approx. 60 days

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