Item Reviews for: Alesis SR18 Portable Electronic Drum Machine With Effects  -  ALE SR18 LIST
Alesis SR18 Portable Electronic Drum Machine With Effects
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it is easy to lean with the youtube instructions

By: Dan Daglia      Submitted: 3/25/2024

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Product Rating Product Review I think the sounds are good and can be enhanced in a Daw with EQ and some changes. But over all it is a good machine to get things going and create a mood. You can remove the bass or create a bass part if you want with the pads on the machine. I have had it for a few months now an have recorded with it and it is fine...
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Portable

By: T.Coolightly      Submitted: 3/4/2024

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Product Review I accidently got this believe it or not. It was not the one I was looking for but now that I've had a chance to hear it and that it takes batteries I decided to just keep it and not return it. My son is going to order the same one so his that for recommending a product
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It’s not bad but it’s OK

By: roosevelt_cunningham@yahoo.com      Submitted: 3/4/2024

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Product Review Is not the worst drama machine in the world it just didn’t fit my needs so my advice to you check it out look at a demo on it or something like that before you get it something I didn’t do because it just might be for you like I said it’s not the worst thing but it’s just wasn’t for me so on that note I’ll give it 3 1/2 stars
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You can reassign drum sets to these patterns

By: Dino S. Utah      Submitted: 1/30/2024

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Product Review I love this machine!! I had an old sr-16 back when the first came out in 80s. This machine has 150 patterns and 50 rewritable patterns. I happen to like grungy dirty sounding stuff like industrial but there is only one set of patterns and fills. So what I do is reassign the drum set and bass and effects from the industrial(user program 5) pattern and overwrite other patterns with it. I’ve got about a dozen patterns with industrial sounding drums and bass and effects. Way f….ing cool!!! The boss pedal is ok it’s used to turn on the machine and change patterns. Nothing special there but it’s useful for hands free playing!!! I bought this machine because I am familiar with it and its learning curve is short. I haven’t written any patterns from scratch yet but it’s pretty easy.
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If you need a drum machine, this is the one.

By: Dean      Submitted: 1/13/2024

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Product Review I play mostly as a trio or duo. I needed a drum machine that would play a shuffle beat that was solid for R&B and country Two Steps. None of my previous drum machines could play it like is needed.They all had a "so called" shuffle beat but none like this. This is the one you need for dance music. Has good waltz beat and beats for slow dances. I don't mess with all the crazy beats that people cant dance to. If you play dance music, this is the one. Shuffle beat is perfect! I looked for this one too many years!
review title:

AWESOME PRODUCT

By: William Nufer      Submitted: 1/5/2024

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Product Review VERY EASY TO USE FOR A GUITAR PLAYER! VERY HAPPY WITH THIS DRUM MACHINE!
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Very Versatile

By: Jeffro i      Submitted: 10/5/2023

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Product Review I’m impressed with amount of presets that are programmed. Every genre from Hiphop, EDM, Rock to Country. This has it all. Some cool features like the pattern play, auto fill buttons and how each beat has a side A and side B that mixes things up when you need a change in the beat. This can also run on batteries, 6 AA and the LCD screen remains bright and the sound is still very loud and crisp. In fact, I can’t believe how loud this puppy can bark. Wow!! Tons of inputs/Outputs and even Midi as well. The manual that’s included is very detailed and helped me understand the workflow in regards to creating, sequencing and saving my own beats and presets. You can also arrange a whole song. It’s easier to do it a section at a time but totally satisfying in the end . I’m surprised it took me so long to purchase this as I’ve definitely been missing out.
review title:

Easy to use with great sounds.

By: Bob      Submitted: 8/4/2023

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Product Review I did a little research on this drum machine and have found it lives up to all of the positive hype. Great onboard sounds and effects and super simple to use. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s home studio lacks an actual drummer. Top notch machine.
review title:

The ideal drum machine for all

By: Will Sanchez/R.S.M.P.      Submitted: 7/27/2023

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Product Review The Alesis SR-18 is the ideal drum machine as it can go with your interface setup or as a stand alone drum machine for those of us who still enjoy the older method of tracking your rhythm section. The kits are awesome, and the drum machine itself is easy to use. AMS even allowed me to obtain mine in (6) easy and affordable payments, interest free. I highly recommend AMS for your next purchase, whether your credit is good or sus. The Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine is a must have.
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First Drum Machine ?? Impressive??

By: Boss StikX      Submitted: 7/12/2023

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Product Review I love ?? Music and of course Alesis never disappoints..So of course AMS hooked never up with great customer service and product options??..After reading the detailed description of the drum machines AMS offers I knew I had to bring home the Alesis drum Machine to keep my Alesis Nitro Drum kit, keeping those beats in the Alesis family?? Thanx AMS I ??My Alesis Drum Machine??
review title:

Best drum machine!

By: Devon      Submitted: 6/29/2023

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review I think every musician should have this drum machine. It's so good and easy to learn how to use. I almost don't need a drummer anymore.
review title:

Sounds Great

By: Joey Soul      Submitted: 5/24/2023

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review I had another drum machine in the '80s. This one takes me back and adds so much more. Drums sound fantastic.
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Excellent drum machine

By: Rich      Submitted: 2/28/2023

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Product Review Love this unit. Totally useable presets. User programmable section is awesome.
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Great Drum Machine!

By: Vincent      Submitted: 2/6/2023

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review Great list of features and drum sounds to choose from. Awesome bass selections and solid easy to understand display.
review title:

How easy to use and the sound quality

By: Steven      Submitted: 1/11/2023

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Product Review It is amazing tge sound quality and the way to use it it has helped our duo’s music so much .
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Professional gear good quality.

By: DTP in Arizona      Submitted: 11/5/2022

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review This RIG is just the right touch for the independent song writer/music composer, it works great for small spaces, can't afford a drummer/percussionist? Try this machine.
review title:

Lifechanger

By: Joe      Submitted: 10/23/2022

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Product Review I was mainly making music on the kaossilator but I was so sick of the drum sounds this thing change the game and the drum sounds so much better
review title:

Professional Grade Drum Machine!

By: Alanbama      Submitted: 10/5/2022

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Product Review Fist of all, I am a very experienced musician. I started playing drums and guitar around 1968. I also have a lot of experience with the Alesis SR-18. I have been playing guitar with my best friend for many years and he’s had one of these for a long time. The machine is exceptional. The sounds are so realistic and you have so much control over every parameter that it’s really hard to distinguish it from actual drums. Especially in a recording mix. One of its best features is it’s not difficult to learn how to program it. You can build some very impressive pieces quite easily! My buddy plays bass but when I play alone I use the built in bass guitar sounds a lot! I generally program them in when I’m building songs anyway so I just mute the bass when I play with my friend. The drummer is always on time for practice and he never complains about anything. ??. Seriously, if you need professional sounding drums for jamming or recording or playing live, you just can’t go wrong with this machine. I highly recommend it.
review title:

From Alesis Sr-16# to ?? Alesis Sr-18#-????

By: Alvin Cook      Submitted: 8/13/2022

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Product Review .. purchase a Alesis SR16 via a pawnshop.. Now, purchase the Alesis-Sr-18# where are you guys approximately 4-6 months ago!.. Once-more, I'M A HAPPY'- CAMPER!!!-??!
review title:

Very user friendly

By: Lonnie D. Love      Submitted: 3/26/2022

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review The Alesis SR-18 is a VERY user-friendly Drum machine, with amazing drum and percussion samples!! Although I have a top rated synth/work station with awesome drum samples, the sequencer is complicated, and an inspiration killer. With the Alesis Sr- 18 you can have a complete drum track withing a couple minutes. Definitely the best bang for you buck. The fact that it won't break the bank is a pretty good feature as well.
review title:

Versatile

By: Edwin      Submitted: 12/12/2021

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Product Review This is a versatile unit for those with a creative mind
review title:

Love it!

By: George K.      Submitted: 7/30/2021

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review I live in an apartment with a neighbor below me, so I can play my drums for recording purposes. I can, however get a good clean realistic drum sound with the Alesis. Sleek, programmable and ability to save entire songs on the machine for playback anytime!
review title:

Great Price

By: Steve      Submitted: 7/28/2021

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review Great unit, figuring all the ins/outs of it are use friendly. Good sets!
review title:

Still learning, but relatively easy to use

By: Michelle H.      Submitted: 3/4/2021

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review This product has been fun to learn. Still working the ins & outs; But overall, it’s a great product. I gave it 4 stars because I thought it was plug and play ready. It was not, had to go out & purchase an additional cord.
review title:

Great machine

By: Russ Jennings      Submitted: 8/12/2020

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11 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review I used to have the Alesis SR-16 YEARS ago , This one is a lot better and sounds more like real drums....good product
review title:

Love this drum machine quality product.

By: John C Williams Jr      Submitted: 8/11/2020

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3 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review Love this drum machine quality product.i would recommended this product to everyone
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Good drum machine

By: Little Drummer Boy      Submitted: 8/3/2020

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review I heard many reviews on this machine, looks a bit intimidating as people say to learn. But I found it relatively easy to figure out. It has good drum sounds and percussion and even bass. I've only had it for a week or so and I feel pretty good about how to use it.
review title:

BEST UNIT REGARDLESS OF COST.

By: RAMJET      Submitted: 8/2/2020

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review I had the original HR 16 back in the 80's and this is way better with the addition of bass tracks and sounds. I just bought a simple analog synth and midi keyboard controller and thought I'd play around with some stuff. The SR 18 is well worth the money and has lots of features. ??????????
review title:

Just what I needed it.

By: David R.      Submitted: 7/3/2020

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review I am a guitarist, and because of the pandemia lockdown, it was impossible for me to get together with other musicians and put together certain musical projects, so I ordered the Alesia SR 18 and it was a blessing, I’m working on my music projects and it makes it so much easy and get real results. I highly recommend Alesia SR 18.
review title:

Does what I needed it to do.

By: Jay127      Submitted: 5/1/2020

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Product Review Not much to say other than it seems like a capable drum machine. Definitely a must have for my small and progressing home studio. I have been considering buying a set of electronic drums for better versatility but for the time being this works just fine. It has plenty of different drum styles and pre-configured patterns as well as lots of options to make your own patterns to record or play along with.
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Great Drum Sounds, Easy to with !!!

By: Rob Holbert      Submitted: 4/27/2020

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review Lots of really good drum patterns, easy to work. Just plug in, scroll through the patterns and start working. Drums sound very good !!! AND the price is great !!!
review title:

Provides exactly what I need

By: Ray Stewart      Submitted: 2/26/2020

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review I like this item because of the ease of operation. What stands out to me the most is the the portability. I have had it now for about 4 months It has provided me with all that I needed thus far.
review title:

Learn it and Love it!

By: cn from IA      Submitted: 12/26/2019

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3 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review IMO, the best there is. If you take the time to learn how to program the SR18, there is virtually nothing you can't do. This is my second unit, and I use one for studio work and the other as the drummer for two different bands, a duo and a trio. Absolutely flawless in all regards. I've never used a preset because I know what I want and I'll create it myself. There's a learning curve, yes, but once you get it figured out, sky's the limit. Can't find a waltz beat?...Create one, with all kinds of variations. No problem. The SR 18 is great in all regards, and even stores tempo with user patterns. When in song mode (which I use in the studio), you can accomplish amazing creations including tempo changes, time signature changes etc. User patterns (which I use for live shows with footpedals) work incredibly well, just make a list of your songs with corresponding pattern number and away you go. Some great sounds (try Rock 06) and very versatile. I've tried several other machines and loopers - this is, without a doubt, the best (IMO)!
review title:

Great drum machine

By: Jeremy      Submitted: 11/21/2019

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4 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review Using with guitar, lots of features I haven’t used
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I've never used a drum machine before and I tend to dive right in and start pushing buttons but fou...

By: Joe      Submitted: 10/29/2019

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1 person found this review helpful.

Product Review I've never used a drum machine before and I tend to dive right in and start pushing buttons but found that I needed to read the manual before I could really get anything done. So far, so good. I bought the unit because of the bass lines you can add to the song. I've just started as a single artist so I've only had the unit about a month but I can see that it will be a valuable asset to my performance. I have also realized that I will need the optional foot switches to activate the drum machine. I have used the drum machine for the first time on a gig and it sounded great with my Bose PA system.
review title:

The sound quality

By: Greg H      Submitted: 9/5/2019

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2 people found this review helpful.

Product Review This drum machine sound vantastic and very easy to use. i do a acoustic single act and it sounds amazing threw my p.a. very easy to program. add the m-audio foot pedal to stop and start you are ready to go. can use the preset user or the pattern song and find a drum beat you can use i would recommend this product.
review title:

Amazing!!

By: Mark      Submitted: 6/24/2019

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6 people found this review helpful.

Product Review Very realistic drum sounds and many to choose from. I am very happy with this product and I highly recommend it to everyone.
review title:

Amazing

By: PVT      Submitted: 3/13/2019

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review Everything I was looking for and more. You won’t regret this purchase
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This box is amazing!!!

By: Eddie G.      Submitted: 3/7/2019

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3 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review Easy to play!!,very nice complement to adding to your recording stuff,very nice finish!!!
review title:

So far so good!

By: Mark J      Submitted: 1/6/2019

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review I haven't gotten super deep into the unit, but it sounds great and the programming is pretty straight forward. Realistic tones. Should be great for my home studio.
review title:

I love this machine.

By: Scott Slayton      Submitted: 1/5/2019

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review I have used and owned this SR-18 in the past and it is very effective, easy, and fun to use.
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Ams is number 1 with me. !!!!!!!!

By: tonyparsley136@gmail.com      Submitted: 1/4/2019

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review Very easy to use in our studio
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Well worth the purchase

By: Joseph Taylor      Submitted: 12/27/2018

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review Can't wait to order more
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It’s got a lot that I can use

By: Ceph      Submitted: 11/13/2018

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4 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review Love it I only wish that the manual was more helpful and straight forward
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Big sounds in a small box!

By: NuSelf      Submitted: 9/27/2018

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review Love my SR18! Owned the 16,and HR16B! This small box has some big sounds in it! Wide variety of sounds and ease of use keeps me coming back to Akai/Alesis. If you want to be pleasantly surprised, get 1! Glad I did!
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Well worth the money!

By: Mark      Submitted: 9/26/2018

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review I was a little apprehensive about getting this drum machine because believe it or not I thought it was too inexpensive to be that good. Well I was wrong! The sounds are great and it’s very easy to navigate. I bought it for a studio environment and it will be just fine!
review title:

It worked

By: David      Submitted: 8/14/2018

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review It works well. The manual is not so much. Print is toooooo small. Online is the way to go.
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Better than I could have hoped for!

By: John Huntress      Submitted: 7/21/2018

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Product Review Very satisfied
review title:

best drum machine without breaking the bank

By: Jared      Submitted: 5/8/2018

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0 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review I tried the akai xr20, there were some videos on youtube saying it wasn't just for rap and techno. not only are those videos wrong, I don't think you could make good rap or techno/electronic music on it either. that said, as a guitarist and someone that makes some stuff that isn't all guitars, this is a great drum machine. the downside these days would be on a computer, you have access to tons of sounds, so this will feel limited, and the snare sounds are okay but not super. that said, I owned one before, sold it in a pinch, since then got an electronic drum set, which is fun, but it is tough to really teach yourself drums! plus, as a guitarist, I want to spend more time doing other stuff, so I bought this again. the sound quality is great. I pretty much get a set I like and don't see switching the sounds too much. I also look forward to getting some vintage drum sounds on my computer and running midi into this, but I use hardware(tascam 24, ehx 22500, casio wk 7600)
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Well worth every penny,

By: Arlie      Submitted: 1/10/2018

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Product Review This thing is awesome, sounds good and very realistic, easy to use and program, can even do bass. It's a band in a box!
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Very impressed so far, Great and Real sounding drums

By: Peter S.      Submitted: 8/18/2017

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review The demo was very impressive and working though the manual and online videos as a learning tool. I had a SR16 years ago but never used it .... I have big hopes for the SR18.
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Just what I needed to complete my home studio

By: B. Libby      Submitted: 11/28/2015

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Product Review I have been researching a lot of different drum machines available on the market, and for the price, this one has it all. The sound is as realistic as can be with a vast library of preset rhythms and the ability to create many more. You won't find more features in this small of a package.
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"Working above expectations"

By: Tim      Submitted: 3/10/2015

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review great product, a leap ahead of lower model with some useful features
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i love this thing..still working with it.

By: daniel ree      Submitted: 11/28/2014

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Product Review it eliminates having a drummer and a bass player, sounds great.
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broke in less than one year

By: Soundman      Submitted: 9/13/2014

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1 person found this review helpful.

Product Review the machine broke in less than one year the sr 16 lasted longer for me!
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Awsome! great sounds right out of the box started recording.

By: Larry from Dallas, TX      Submitted: 9/20/2013

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2 people found this review helpful.
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Your general opinion of this product. I play drums, guitar, bass, and do background vocals. I added this to my my Tascam DP03, and started recording drums right away. Its like having a set of high priced electronic sounds, with real cymbals, and a background percussionist. I started recording as soon as I got it out of the box. So far very well. The sound, amount of instruments, price. Excellent. Pro looking Better than good value. Same thing with electronic set, and real cymbals would be 10x $.
review title:

Best Machine For Live Performance

By: JB      Submitted: 6/19/2013

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1 person found this review helpful.
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Your general opinion of this product. The more you use this machine the more you will appreciate what it can do and the thinking that went into its design Have had no problems what so ever - ruggedly built. Ability to copy patterns to any part of a user program including A,B and FILLS. Ability to hold a pattern in a programmed song so that improvisation or song extension can be done on the fly in live performance. Sounds are good and there are lots to choose from. They can also be tweaked to your own taste Well layed out Best bang for the buck on the market right now.
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I Have Plan to Buy one SR-18,but this Drum Machine needs more storage Like USB plug..

By: serge from Lauderhill.Florida USA      Submitted: 6/6/2013

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review title:

Good & Sturdy

By: John H from Tulsa OK      Submitted: 12/26/2012

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3 people found this review helpful.

Seems to built well More samples Excellent Sound Your general opinion of this product. A great value for the $ Very good Looks cool and is portable
review title:

this is a gerat drum machine

By: tommy      Submitted: 4/28/2011

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made well will last a long time awsome tone and sound good value
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Dream Machine

By: Mark Wolf      Submitted: 3/1/2011

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Top of the Line!! Great Stero tone with reverb and compression. Sounds great when recording and using my BX5A M-Audio Monitors or earphones. Best price online.
review title:

best for the money

By: pro performing musician. I use this on stage from Woodburn, Oregon USA      Submitted: 2/21/2011

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1 person found this review helpful.

great on both well made and dependable. very good with lots of flexability. I adjust the sound at the amp not the module for this unit. Adjustments are small.
review title:

A Sound Value!

By: George Perez from Brownstown, Mi. 48183      Submitted: 1/31/2011

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2 people found this review helpful.

Alesis has done it again--- This machine has many tones for most all genres! I got a great deal AND free shipping!
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4+ Stars Overall

By: Scott from Battle Creek, MI      Submitted: 1/27/2011

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Good quality overall. I expect this to last @ least 5 years. I take extra good care of my electronic equiptment especially. Sound is very good for both recording and live performance. The overall tone quality is superior to the SR-16 which I also own. The equiptment is no better than the user though. Parameters can be edited, (on user presets) to improve the tone if needed. An excellent value. Especially here @ American Musical because it's about $50 less than other stores. Plus the easy payments rock!
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Rock On!

By: Paul B      Submitted: 11/20/2010

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1 person found this review helpful.

This should be very dependable without a doubt! I'm happy with the overall sound quality! I felt the price point was good value when I got it and now it is even less money!
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Limited Midi control

By: Paul W from Taylorsville, Utah USA      Submitted: 10/18/2010

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It seems to be of good quality the sounds are great Very good value for the price
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Great machine and great price.

By: mike from Denville, NJ      Submitted: 2/15/2010

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Should last a long time. Excellent sounds on board. Clean and crisp samples. Value is the best. The next machine up from this one is the 880 by Roland.
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Awesome sound

By: Gus      Submitted: 1/29/2010

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It is well made, Alesis is know for their quality and that usually comes with well built items. The quality is very good. I am not sure I would call it high definition but it is very useable. It is not expensive and I currently use it to replace my former drummer. And this thing does not have the attitude, nor does it requires expensive food. The savings are inmense...LOL
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solid drum machine with great sound

By: Denis Taaffe      Submitted: 5/7/2009

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1 person found this review helpful.

yes, it seems solid construction wise and has a power on off button and nothing seems flimsy bar none the footwitchable a/b/FILL footswitch , it really makes it easy to give variations to drum patterns even live and recording.very very well thought out engineering wise. SAme features as sr-16 with a fwew extras and drsticly improved drum sounds. a definite step up from the sr-16 I had, just much more realistic sounding drums and great quality for recording as well. the bass is sappy but fun to mess with , but I mute it always and just use the drum sounds. it also has a few other samples here and there. Your general opinion of this product. a must have even if you have all the software drum machines session drummer, ezdrummer etc....It just syncs so well, full midi and footswitchable fills and finally a drum quality that you can really use without people asking is that a drum machine on your recordings.highly recommended!!! excellent with easy payments of course... looks cool and great backlit huge lcd
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sr16 on steriods

By: JASON LEE JASVEN from HAYWARD, CA, USA      Submitted: 2/5/2009

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it seems like it will last as long as an sr16 the best feature,and the reason i bought this is the roll button.if you're a speed,thrash,or death metal musician who uses a drum machine you gotta have this.plus more pads than the sr16. the sound is the best,just like an sr16.the only reason i gave it 4 stars of 5 is there is a minimal amout of hiss when i run to my korg d888 recorder.i suppose i could run it through preamp first,but this hiss is barly notisable,and after all it is called thash metal for a reason.like wearing ripped clothes,or having a dirty guitar,and a scathed up bass.all that matters is that you can seriously bang your head. Your general opinion of this product. kick butt a bit pricy,but a must have in my arsonal i like the all black sr16 appearance better,this looks a little less sinister,but sounds a lot more evil.