Alesis SR-16 Drum Machine

[Geir]

Anyone used this machine?

I know it's old technology (early 90s) but it sounds ok ... I cen get one for about 100$ ... is it worth it or do I have better options in that price-range (100+/-)

[Bluesberry]

I was looking at the next generation, SR-18, they look pretty good to me, I am seriously considering one (sr-18).  I think it is worth it big time Geir, this is considered one of the best out there, it is a classic, still is.

[Ferryman]

I have an SR-18, it's pretty good and not expensive, good sounds. Haven't used it much though as I use the druums on the MBR and my PMA-5 more.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Bluesberry]

I have an SR-18, it's pretty good and not expensive, good sounds. Haven't used it much though as I use the druums on the MBR and my PMA-5 more.

Cheers,

Nigel

So tell me more about the SR-18 Nigel, I am seriously looking at one.  Of course I have pretty good drums on the BR-1200 but I am looking for a more realistic sound, will this get more realistic drums or just be similar to what i already have in the BR-1200?

[Oldrottenhead]

i have the sr16, its a great machine but im rubbish at creating loops and have styuck mainly to using the presets which are pretty impressive but i dont get it out enough am too lazy.

[AndyR]

i have the sr16, its a great machine but im rubbish at creating loops and have styuck mainly to using the presets which are pretty impressive but i dont get it out enough am too lazy.

Same here!

When I'm using my laptop and Cakewalk, I program in the DAW (or even record parts using a keyboard), but I always use the SR as the sound module. Classy sounds - and you can layer them... I have drum maps all set up, mapping the piano to complicated drumset configs via my PC, etc, etc... (so long since I used it though, I'd probably need a day to make it work again!!)

However, I reckon there might be a little too much options on it for a boy like me... to be honest, the best drum sounds I have ever managed on recordings are... on my MBR!

But if I wanted a drum sound module, cheap - I'd recommend the SR-16

[godinqc]

I was also recently looking at the SR-16 , there are pretty cheap on ebay, specially if you are in the US ..

Salut !

[hooper]

I've had one for a few years and it's a real workhorse. If budget was not an issue I'd say go ahead and move up to the SR-18 but at 100+/- you're not gonna do better than a SR-16. 

You will need to have a plan for how to get in sync if you intend to use with the Micro-BR. Sometimes I'll record song tracks on the M-BR using an on-board drum pattern as a metronome.  Then export a mixdown (without drums) to the multitracker on the PC (in this case, Sonar) and set the BPM for the song.  In Sonar I've switched on 'Send MIDI Timecode' and on the SR-16 setup I've switched on 'Recieve MIDI Timecode'.  This locks the SR-16 in perfect sync with the song playing in Sonar. When you push Play in Sonar the SR-16 magicaly starts drumming (in time). Then I route the audio output from the SR-16 and record in Sonar. Then export the drum tracks from Sonar to the M-BR, which arrive perfectly in-sync. I don't know of a shorter way to do it...

One of the things I like best about the SR-16 is that you can build your own drum kits and actually tune each drum in the kit.

It comes with some great pre-set patterns and you can build your own patterns. Like the M-BR there is an initial learning curve to get past (really, no worse than the M-BR) However, the manual is terrible. At one time you could send an email to Alesis requesting a free instructional DVD. I did that and they promptly sent me one which helped a lot. I don't know if that's still available. 

[tony]

I have an SR-18, it's pretty good and not expensive, good sounds. Haven't used it much though as I use the druums on the MBR and my PMA-5 more.

Cheers,

Nigel

Nigel,

You have a PMA-5, I didn't know.  Had it long, do you like it?  I'm a big fan.

[fenderbender]

at one time I could'nt manage without my sr-16 -
they are cheap now --and as said above a real workhorse -
myself and a bass player used to do pub gigs and we used the 16 -had it hooked up to the PA and also a 15" cab for the stereo split -used to use the presets and put them into the song area(99 songs can be stored) verse-chorus -verse-chorus--and use a footpedal -great realistic drum sets----
worth thinking about -if you can pick one up cheaply --