Alesis1990233-voiceSample-Based / Digital$Budget($50–250)
Alesis SR-16
Budget-conscious producers wanting a simple, reliable MIDI drum machine for demos and songwriting without hunting down pricier vintage icons.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Strengths
- Extremely affordable and still easy to find used, making it a genuine budget-friendly entry into real MIDI-syncable drum programming
- 233 onboard sounds cover a huge range of genres without needing to sample anything yourself
- Became a rehearsal-room and demo-studio staple specifically because it's simple, reliable, and cheap
Trade-offs
- No individual outputs at all, so every sound shares the same stereo mix with no separate processing
- Sounds are clean but generic 90s PCM — it won't give you the character of an 808/909 or the grit of an SP-1200
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Alesis |
| Model | SR-16 |
| Era | 1990 |
| Typical Price Tier | Budget ($50–250) |
| Sound Source | 16-bit PCM samples |
| Voice Count | 233 |
| Voice Type | Digital/Sample-based |
| Steps Per Pattern | 48 |
| Pattern Memory | 100 |
| Individual Outputs | No |
| Sync / MIDI | MIDI + DIN Sync |
| Swing / Shuffle | Yes |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
Similar Sample-Based / Digital
Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Alesis SR-16.
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This deckAlesis SR-16
Match63
Flexibility35
Portability80
Ease of Use80
Tonal Neutrality55
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Maintenance & Supplies
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