Alesis2005250-voiceSample-Based / Digital$Budget($50–250)
Alesis SR-18
Producers wanting the SR-16's practical, affordable drum-machine formula updated with a 2000s-era sound library.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Strengths
- A genuine 2000s successor to the beloved SR-16, with a bigger backlit display and expanded sound library
- Includes real drum-kit and percussion styles across a wide range of genres, still useful as a practice or demo tool today
- Often overlooked next to its more famous SR-16 predecessor, making it a legitimate deep-cut alternative at a similar price
Trade-offs
- No individual outputs, the same limitation carried over from the original SR-16
- Considered by some longtime SR-16 users to have a less characterful, more generically 'digital' sound than the original
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Alesis |
| Model | SR-18 |
| Era | 2005 |
| Typical Price Tier | Budget ($50–250) |
| Sound Source | 16-bit PCM samples |
| Voice Count | 250 |
| Voice Type | Digital/Sample-based |
| Steps Per Pattern | 32 |
| Pattern Memory | 100 |
| Individual Outputs | No |
| Sync / MIDI | MIDI |
| 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-18.
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This deckAlesis SR-18
Match63
Flexibility38
Portability78
Ease of Use80
Tonal Neutrality55
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Maintenance & Supplies
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