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Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine

Portable Drum Machine with 32MB sound library and Built-in Effects
$229.00

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Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine
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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
The SR-18 is an Alesis drum machine for the modern musician!

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Tech Specs

  • Pads: 12, velocity sensitive
  • Sounds: 500 drum, 50 bass
  • Kits: 100
  • Patterns: 100
  • Analog Inputs: 1 x Instrument, 2 x Footswitch
  • Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4", 1 x 1/4" stereo
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • MIDI I/O: In, Out/Thru
  • Power Source: Power adapter included, 6 x AA battery
  • Height: 1.9"
  • Width: 9.6"
  • Depth: 7.5"
  • Weight: 1.1 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: SR18X110

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

The drum kit you were looking for without knowing it.

The SR18 is a blast to work with. Not only does it have an extensive list of presets (99 x 2), but it also has user presets at the same number (99 X 2). Previously I used an X2 Drummer by Mooer (a great product, by the way.) The SR18 goes far and beyond it. It allows you to create your own drum riffs and combine those into songs (different lead-ins, middle parts, and endings.)
So far, I love mine.
That said, I went out and watched several great youtube videos on how to use the SR18, create your only drum tracks, etc. Learning from the video made using the SR18 a much better experience.

I am using this for putting drum tracks while playing guitar, bass, mandolin, piano, and more. That said, it isn't really made for use with any of my synths, as it doesn't have the ability to sync out. I didn't buy it for that reason. I bought it to use with guitars, etc... ( I already have a Drum Brute Impact and a DFAM for that purpose.)

The interface is easy to read and use (I did not expect the screen to be on par with an iPhone.)
Overall for its low price, it's a shockingly good value. If you are looking for a drumming kit to accompany your guitar, bass, mandolin, piano, and more, this is the one for you.

FYI: I like the Alesis brand. I have an Alesis Command Drum kit I have added more drums to, and it's been a great experience. As always, Sweetwater delivers!
Music background: Novelist, guitar/bass/mandolin/Synth experimenter, cigar lover.
Rated 5/5

Meets My Needs

The Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine may be overkill for what I'm using it for, but it's doing a great job of meeting my simple needs. I had been recording percussion with my Yamaha MX-49, but several of the percussion voices were getting flaky and it was SO hard to find exactly the percussion sound I wanted. Not to mention the difficulty in being consistent in hitting the keys.

So when I explained to my rep, Jonathan Appleton, that I most just needed something that I could play live into my recordings, he recommended the Alesis. He's guided me well on a number of past purchases, so I went with his recommendation. Am I ever glad I did!

I didn't realize how limited the Yamaha was until I started using the Alesis. I mostly just need a simple beat, and I've had fun switching among the various drum sets searching for the most appropriate sounds for my songs. Oh, and the superiority of the sounds over the MX blows me away.

I love the controls on the Alesis and being able to press pads rather than strike keys. And the fact it's small enough to keep on top of a nearby cabinet and to easily get down and hold on my lap while using it--or to put on a music stand when I prefer.

I'm not yet into programming the Alesis and I may very well never need to try that. But I'm quite satisfied with what I use it for and wouldn't trade it for anything else.
Music background: 57 or 58 years of playing guitar (accompaniment, mostly folkish style), writing Christian songs almost as long, and eight track home recording. Also sing in church choir and play bass on the praise team. Noodle with keyboard for recording.
Rated 3.5/5

Great sounds, horrible UI

I picked one of these up for cheap with a broken power switch, fixed it, and now it's on my desk. The sounds are very configurable- envelope, pitching, effects (reverb/eq/comp), has a third output for an Aux track (for sidechaining, bass, etc). The effects just have presets, but the presets sound really good. And it has a very 90's bass synth, too! Patterns, fills, song mode... lots to love here.

Now, for the bad- the pads aren't sensitive at all. Manual says they can do 8 steps of velocity, but that's just not happening. And I absolutely hate the user interface. It's like typing a novel on a Nokia flip phone... you can do it, but you're not in for a good time. If you just want to use the stock patterns and kits, go for it. But the shift/page/scroll flip phone UI is just masochism in 2022. I, too, had to watch all the YouTube videos just to figure it out.

To be fair, this module is fantastic to use with an external sequencer, like a Keystep, Circuit Tracks, or other groovebox. BUT if you have something like an MC-101 or Circuit, they already have great bass and drum sounds in them, making this not really necessary.

I really want to love this machine, but honestly, it will probably get flipped and replaced with a groovebox in the near future.
Music background: Former gigging multi-instrumentalist, home producer
Rated 5/5

Alesis SR-18 Drum Machie

AKA "Old Reliable". Had an SR-16 years ago which always worked out great for preprogramming songs for multitracking. This newer Alesis model is the SR-16 with some nice upgrades. Very easy to create patterns and then use those to create songs. There are a lot of drum kits to choose from so you can get just the sound you want for a particular type of song. As always, thanks Jimmy Hart for your help with my order.
Rated 5/5

Great gear!

I recommend this drum machine to anyone looking a simple a basic rhythm accompaniment

Hear from a Sales Engineer

What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Carson McClain

For years the Alesis SR16 drum machine has been all over records everywhere. It just has this signature sound and an easy-to-use sequencer. The new SR18 has all of that and more, just look at all of the new features listed above. I love the new screen on this. You can actually see it now! If you love your SR16, pick up the SR18, you will add new sounds and breathe new life into your recordings.
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