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Alesis SR-16 24-Bit Stereo Drum Machine with Dynamic Articulation

BH #ALSR16 • MFR #SR16
10 reviews
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Alesis SR-16 24-Bit Stereo Drum Machine with Dynamic Articulation
Key Features
  • Realistic and Natural Sounding
  • 233 High-Quality Sounds
  • 12 Velocity-Sensitive Pads
  • 16-Voice Polyphony
The Alesis SR-16 is a professional, stereo drum machine which features dynamic articulation and is well suited for songwriters, live performers, and remix engineers. The original SR-16 was 16-bit but was updated to 24-bit for higher quality sound with a lower noise floor. The SR-16 offers a wide selection of 233 realistic, natural sounds both dry and with professional quality reverbs. The dynamic articulation feature enables a drum sound to change its tonal content as it's played harder for truly realistic performances.
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$159.00
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Alesis SR-16 Overview

The Alesis SR-16 is a professional, stereo drum machine which features dynamic articulation and is well suited for songwriters, live performers, and remix engineers. The original SR-16 was 16-bit but was updated to 24-bit for higher quality sound with a lower noise floor. The SR-16 offers a wide selection of 233 realistic, natural sounds both dry and with professional quality reverbs. The dynamic articulation feature enables a drum sound to change its tonal content as it's played harder for truly realistic performances.

The 50 on-board patterns were played by top studio drummers with built-in rhythmic variations (A, B, and two Fill sections.) Additionally, you can create and save your own customized patterns and songs. The Alesis SR-16 also provides complete MIDI implementation, 2 footswitch inputs, flexible programming and editing features, velocity-sensitive pads, and includes a power supply.

  • Dynamic Articulation: Enables a drum sound to change its tonal content as it's played harder for truly realistic performances
  • 233 realistic sounds
  • Velocity sensitive drum pads
  • Samples recorded dry and with reverb
  • 50 preset patterns with variations (A, B, and two Fills)
  • Two Footswitch Inputs:
    • Start / Stop
    • Count / A / B / Fill
  • Built-In digital effects
UPC: 694318001004

Alesis SR-16 Specs

Key Specs
Sound Generation
Digital
Number of Pads
12x Velocity-Sensitive Pad
Number of Sounds, Kits, or Samples
233x Sound Preset
50x Factory Drum Kit
50x User Drum Kit
Media/Memory Card Slot
No
Audio I/O
1/4"
MIDI I/O
1x DIN 5-Pin Input
1x DIN 5-Pin Output/Thru
USB I/O
No
General
Item Type
Drum Machine
Kit Components
Sound Generation
Digital
Number of Pads
12x Velocity-Sensitive Pad
Transport Controls
Yes: Stop, Play
AD/DA Conversion
24-Bit
Standalone Operation
Yes
Sounds
Display
LCD
Number of Sounds, Kits, or Samples
233x Sound Preset
50x Factory Drum Kit
50x User Drum Kit
Tempo Range
20 to 255 BPM
Number of Song Presets
100
Maximum Polyphony
16 Voice
Built-In Effects
No
Built-In Speaker
No
Sequencing & Recording
Sequencer
Number of Steps: 128x Step
Note Resolution: 96 ppq
Tempo Range: 20 to 255 BPM
Media/Memory Card Slot
No
Connectivity
Audio I/O
2x 1/4" Main Output
2x 1/4" Aux Output
Trigger Device & Pedal Inputs
2x 1/4" Footswitch Input
MIDI I/O
1x DIN 5-Pin Input
1x DIN 5-Pin Output/Thru
CV/Gate I/O
No
Sync I/O
No
Network I/O
No
USB I/O
No
Wireless
No
Power
Power Requirements
AC/DC Power Adapter (Included)
AC/DC Power Adapter
Included
Physical
Color
Black
Included Accessories
No
Dimensions
9.2 x 6.5 x 1.5" / 23.5 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm
Weight
2.5 lb / 1.1 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.565 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
13.3 x 7.25 x 2.65"

Alesis SR-16 Reviews

The Reigning Classic

By Thomas
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-02

The Alesis SR-16 is a wonderfully fun and powerful drum machine. I have not used the sequencer functionality at all. Instead I have programmed MIDI patterns in my DAW and triggered my custom drum kits in it. The sound output has an element of noise and that definitely affects its use as a truly professional instrument. To get around this and also to really make your drums mixed properly, I recommend recording each drum sample, denoising them, and loading into sampler instances in your DAW. This way you can adjust the phase of each sound to fully gel and also you can process individual sounds as well. My only complaints beyond the noise floor are that the pitch adjust range is not a full octave up and down and there is no decay parameter like those of the Alesis SR-18 & Akai XR-20. The drum samples are quite good and, for a machine that is over 30 years old, sound good for a multitude of genres. I have made techno and electronic tracks with it and, while the drum sounds lean acoustic, they are varied enough and have enough character for serious work. Let's see if Alesis will be making this in another 30 years. I'd almost be surprised if they didn't.

volume control easily damaged

By Anonymous
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2016-04-20

Bought the SR-16 a few years ago. IMPORTANT: treat the unit gently. Don't' drop it or thump the vol. control. it will damage it leaving it pretty much un-usable. Keep it covered from dust. Dust will damage the vol control. As far a programming for a tune the owners manual was worthless for me. Never learned how to program. Needs a dv video detailed instruction for that.

See any errors on this page?

question

Does the SR-16 have latin percussion sounds?Thanks
Asked by: Philippe M.
there are 50 pre programmed beats and 5 of those are for latin musicyou can also write your own beats and add claves, conga, etc
Answered by: jeff s.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

I dont want to use a computer. What is a good sound source for the sr 16?
Asked by: Anonymous
Connecting to a good stereo system with good speakers, amplifier or PA system works great for playing along with other instruments. You do not need a computer. I would suggest buying pedals for the unit as you will need and want them!
Answered by: THEODORE A.
Date published: 2018-08-25
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