Alesis SR16 Drum Machine

by Alesis

Product Features

• Professional drum machine with 12 velocity sensitive pads (w/Dynamic Articulation(TM))
• 50 Preset / 50 User drum kits with 233 sounds assignable to any pad
• Exclusive Alesis Dynamic Articulation(TM) feature enables a drum sound to change its tonal content as it's played harder for truly realistic performances
• Sound stacking, step editing, stereo samples with reverb and ambience
• 2 Footswitch Jacks, MIDI I/O, Stereo main and aux outs, headphone jack, power supply included
• Professional drum machine with 12 velocity sensitive pads (with Dynamic Articulation(TM))
• Exclusive Alesis Dynamic Articulation feature enables a drum sound to change its tonal content as it's played harder for truly realistic performances
• Sound stacking, step editing, stereo samples with reverb and ambiance

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches ; 2.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002CZYW0
• Item model number: SR16
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #793 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

One of the most popular drum machines ever made, the Alesis SR16 Drum Machine has been used by everyone from songwriters to live performers to remix engineers as their drum machine of choice. It features a great selection of over 200 realistic, natural drum sounds, offered both in dry form and sampled with our quality digital reverbs. And Alesis' exclusive Dynamic Articulation feature enables a drum sound to change its tonal content as it's played harder--just like an acoustic drum--for truly realistic performances.

The Alesis SR16 Drum Machine (see larger image).

The SR-16 features 50 preset patterns that were actually played in by top studio drummers, not just programmed and quantized. The SR-16 also provides complete MIDI implementation, a footswitch input, flexible programming and editing features and velocity-sensitive pad buttons. It's easy to use so you'll be up and composing in minutes.

Dynamic Articulation
Discerning ears will notice that each sound is actually a series of different samples; multiple dynamic-level samples and articulations are all built in so as you play harder and softer, the drum or cymbal changes its timbre, not just its volume. This engineered realism is known as Dynamic Articulation, an Alesis exclusive.

This results in sounds that respond accurately not only to dynamic changes, but also with the appropriate timbral and color changes you'd expect from their acoustic counterparts. You can play with or without reverb for different room sounds and enjoy a wide variety of rimshots, rim clicks and different stick-placement sounds on the cymbals. The Random Sample feature also ensures you don't get the same sound twice for further creative realism.

Specifications

• Audio Outputs: 4 (2 stereo pairs)
• Pads: 12 velocity sensitive (w/Dynamic Articulation)
• Sample/DAC Bit Resolution: 16/18
• Sounds: 233
• Sounds Accessible via Pads: 12
• Sounds Accessible via MIDI: 120
• Polyphony: 16 voice
• Panning: 7-position user programmable
• Velocity Response: 8 loudness levels via pads, 127 via MIDI
• Timing Resolution: 96 ppq
• Time Signature Range: 1-128 beats per pattern
• Tempo Range: 20-255 bpm
• Notes/Patterns/Songs: 12,000/400 (200 user, 200 preset)/100
• Kits: 50 user, 50 preset
• MIDI Program Change Response: Kit
• Sync: MIDI Clock/Song Position Pointer
• Footswitch Jacks/Functions: 2; start/stop, count/A/B/fill
• Other Features: Sound stacking, step editing, stereo samples with reverb and ambience
• Dynamic Articulation: Modulates tone
• Power: 9 VAC External Transformer, UL and CSA Approved
• Dimensions: 9.25 x 1.5 x 6.5 inches (WxHxD)
• Weight: 2.5 pounds

Product Description

As one of the most popular drum machines ever made, the SR-16™ has been used by everyone from songwriters to live performers to remix engineers as their drum machine of choice. The reason is simple: it features a great selection of 233 realistic, natural drum sounds, offered both in dry form and sampled with our incomparable digital reverbs. Our exclusive Dynamic Articulation™ feature enables a drum sound to change its tonal content as it's played harder for truly realistic performances. The SR-16 features 50 preset patterns that were actually played in by top studio drummers, not just programmed and quantized. You'll find enough built-in rhythmic variations (with A, B and two Fill sections) for composing complete arrangements, and you can create and save your own customized patterns and songs. Plus, the SR-16 also provides complete MIDI implementation, a footswitch input, flexible programming and editing features and velocity-sensitive pad buttons. Plus, it's so easy to use that you'll be up-and-running and composing new music in minutes. Whether you need a songwriting partner or an accompanyist for live performance, turn to the all-time world standard in drum machines: the SR-16.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An oldie but goodie, October 26, 2008

By 

Jeremy Deats - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alesis SR16 Drum Machine (Electronics)

Some history on this device: The Alesis SR-16 has been in production since 1991 and has gone through only slight revisions to the hardware since its original release. The 16-bit drum samples are still the same today as they were on this unit over 15 years ago. It is regarded as a break-through piece of studio gear and regarded by many studio engineers as the first rhythm machine capable of producing a convincing enough drum track capable of replacing a real drummer in studio recordings for rock applications. (Prior to the SR-16, rhythm machines were commonly used in pop music in the 80's, but it was always clear to trained ears that a rhythm machine was used, the SR-16 successfully blurred the line and made it possible to use rhythm machines in genres that generally frowned upon electronic drums such as: rock, country and blues) You'll hear the SR-16 on many professional tracks by top name recording artist from the early to mid-90's.

Today the SR-16 can still be found in many professional and home recording studios. With the emergence of Pro Tools and other PC based Digital Audio Workstations, stand alone rhythm machines have become much less popular today in pro recording, but they are still very popular in home studios and for performing solo musicians around the world.

Comparing the SR-16 to newer products: Rhythm machines produced by Roland/BOSS, Yamaha and ZOOM are the SR-16's primary competition, with Roland and Alesis often cited as leaders and innovators in pro electronic percussion (these companies also produce the best quality electronic kits and the same samples are used in their rhythm machine products). Some of the features common to newer rhythm machines not found on the SR-16 include: 24-bit samples, more memory, bass guitar sequencer ability to store MIDI files on device.

Ease of use: Aside from its convincing sound quality, perhaps the reason the SR-16 has remained in production and a favorite among musicians is its ease of use. The SR-16 was designed with the non-drummer solo musician in mind and is considered one of the easiest rhythm machines to program. It's interface has been copied (but many would say not trumped) by BOSS, Yamaha and others. The manual, while poorly edited does more than any other rhythm machine owners guide to cater to solo musician who doesn't understand the first thing about sequencing drum tracks and it's A,FillA,B,FillB pattern foot switch configuration makes it easier to improvise with... In short, you don't get much customization with the SR-16, but what you do get feature was is going to be the most popular setup which makes the device much more approachable than many modern rhythm machines and sequencer options. Has a full MIDI in/out through implementation so the SR-16 can be patched in and controlled from DAW's (Pro Tools, Cubase, Live, etc...)

Comparing generations: If you're buying previously owned model be aware that some features have changed over the years. First generation SR-16 models (1991-circa 2001) had about 1/2 of the user memory than that of the current production SR-16. Also, the first generation units did not have a headphone jack. In the early 2000's Alesis updated all the preset patterns creating a market for "vintage" SR-16 machines. Also, over the years the price has dropped significantly. The SR-16 was originally marketed as a high-end studio product with a price tag around $400. While the quality of the unit has only improved, the price has dropped as computer parts have become less expensive (also newer units are mass produced in Asia).

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic bit of Technology, April 11, 2008

By 

C. R. Downing "Chris Downing" (Chippenham, Wilts England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alesis SR16 Drum Machine (Electronics)

Here's the great SR16. Been around since 1990 and still sells well. Probably the most used drum machine of all time considering how long it's been in production. Pretty easy to use and has the added extra of being controlled by a foot pedal or two so you can switch between an A and B version of a beat and an A and B version of the fills at the end of each verse. (You'll need to buy the foot controllers - doesn't come with this purchase). There's loads of other revues out there if you search - but this and the boss range dominate the market in my opinion. At this price it's a great bit of kit to have and a good place to start if you've never tried drum machines before. Also check out the new SR18, just released April 2008, although twice the price is the downside for the extra drum set samples, more memory and bigger construction. I've got the SR18 and it's worth every panny - so the SR16 is a steal at this price - you just have to accept that the SR16 doesn't have the huge scope of it's bigger brother or basslines. Alesis SR18 Drum Machine w/ effects engine

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only wish I got this sooner., January 3, 2010

By 

Ramon Serrano "Ray Ray" (Chicago Ill Noize) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alesis SR16 Drum Machine (Electronics)

Ive been recording music for 6 years. I'm a bit of a perfectionist.. Always trying to make my tracks sound as legit as possible with the things i had.. Ive never had the money for drum sets in those days but with all the little things I've purchased it adds to well over this small price tag of 150 smackers.

This machine has all your rhythm needs.. You can program a song beat for beat or jam along to the many cool patterns they have.. Also its important to note you can adjust the tempo on all of them so the possibilities are endless. This machine is so simple to use. It could be a great gift for starting musicians and just about anyone who's a creator.

Overall I love this ol thing and I plan on using it for many many MANY years to come.. and if it breaks on me, Ill just buy a new one! Cuz its worth every penny and more.