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Kerzwhile · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:23 pm Post subject: Alesis SR-18!!!!!

All I have to say is WOW!! This thing is Great!!! For $250 nothing can touch it!! If you are looking for a dedicated drum machine/module, this thing is slamming!!
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Diego · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:17 am Post subject:

Hi!

Yeah, the interface seems really great, what about sounds?
I would have to check it out on alesis website!
Use that coupled with a goot arpeggiator should be really Killer!!

Regards
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Stephen · Platinum Member Joined: 28 Aug 2002 Posts: 4709

I may check it out also, my SR-16 doesn't get much use anymore.
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Diego · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject:

I've listened to sound demos from the SR-18...
I must admit that I've not been that amazed from sounds, they sounds quite a lot mechanic to my ears Crying or Very sad

Maybe it's just a matter of pattern used, if linked to a v-drum it should sound better for sure.

I'm more interested into synth drum sound, some electribes should do the trick...BTW, the Virus B is still doing its own work Wink

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Korg M3 with EXB Radias & EXB-256 onboard
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Kerzwhile · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject:

That is precisely why in my OP I said Drum machine/module!! This thing is actually really nice!! The samples are actually good! Hell Alesis had to do SOMETHING with all the R-n-D they put into the Fusion!! Rolling Eyes

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MY Weapons of choice: K2600X, Oasys88, PC3X, K2661, V-Synth, MotifESR, ZR-76, TS-12, VFX, EPS16+,ESQ-1, ESQ-1R, Emu Xtreme Lead, SCI Six Trak, HR-16, Kurzweil Mark 150 Baby Grand and 2 D1600's synced!!!
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Sina172 · Platinum Member Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 1194

TagPass · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

My wife just got me the SR-18 as a belated birthday present. I think it's a great module and already used it in on a couple of client projects. It's dead simple to use (especially if you already know the '16) and the "new" features really represent the next logical progression for the unit -- things like +/- 12 step pitch adjustment, editable decay time, and being able to have 2 "banks" of drum sounds per kit. On a lot of forums, the SR-18 and it's close relative, the Akai XR-20, get knocked for lack of sampling, but I prefer the simplicity of "old-school" drum machines. And the additional editablility really gives you quite a bit of control over customization.

The drum and percussion samples are really nice, rivalling even some high-end workstations. The bass sounds are okay -- I've got a lot of other choices, so I'm not sure I'd rely on them for any serious bass needs, but it's a nice addition to the unit. Of course, there's also the requisite number of "goofy" samples too -- things like the human beatbox stuff and the "yeah!"s and "check!"s, that I would only use as a lark or after drastically detuning and otherwise "disguising" them. But for the most part, I'm satisfied with the quality of about 98% of the sounds. (That's probably my same satisfaction percentage as the original, too, but the SR-18 has a TON more sounds.)

On the negative side, I do think there are some issues with the velocity response of the pads on the unit itself and have contacted Alesis to this effect. The pads are supposed to have 8 levels of velocity sensing via 3 curves: soft, medium, or loud. I've found that, at most, I'm only able to get 2-3 velocity levels regardless of setting. For instance, using the "loud" curve, after tracking the response values in SONAR, the unit only sends values 83, 96, and 127. Pressing the pad very softly, I still get an 86! To program very dynamic patterns, I either have to use the FIXED velocity settings one at a time, or program the machine via an external controller. It's not that big of a deal to work around since I have a padKONTROL connected and do most of my sequencing in my DAW, but still... The nice thing about using the SR-18 as an external sound module is that it DOES respond to all 127 levels of velocity.

Overall, I'm happy with the unit, and if it lasts even half as long as I've had the SR-16 (18 years!), it's still worth well more than the money spent!
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