A Review of the Alesis SR 16 Drum Machine : Part 2: How to Program Beats

In this review of the Alesis SR 16 drum machine, I focus on how to program beats. Once you get the hang of it, it is really not that difficult.
The Alesis SR 16 was first introduced in 1990. It quickly became one of the most popular and best selling drum machines ever. Used by artists around the world, it was famous for its expressiveness and highly usable sounds. You could customize your own drum kits, and it featured sounds that could be used in a variety of genres. It appeared on several hit records, and to this day it is still a popular drum machine of choice for countless artists.
I bought my SR 16 second hand about 10 or 11 years ago. It has worked very well for me since day one, and has never let me down. I have used it in dozens of songs that I have composed and recorded. I find that it is a great drum machine for rock, pop and techno.
Do you own the Alesis SR 16? What do you think of it? Do you like it? What are some of its weaknesses, in your opinion? Where did you find your SR 16?
Please check out my other videos about the Alesis SR 16. In part 1 I did a general overview of the classic drum machine. I also have another video where I show how to adjust pad settings on the SR 16.
Are you into retro technology? Then this is the channel for you! I frequently post videos relating to drum machines, synthesizers, VCRs, laser discs, video games, home recording, cassettes, cassette decks, CDs, CD players, radios, TVs, DVD players and so much more. If this is your thing, please subscribe!

[@syomay6338]

Thank you so much! It was helpful guidline.

[@techreviewguy7771]

You're welcome!

[@VinceBaileydns-direct]

That was a great video am going to see if i can get one on amazon.

[@techreviewguy7771]

Thanks!

[@ClearAdventure]

Great video, brother! I had one of these back in the day and think I may get another. Keep rocking! 🤘

[@techreviewguy7771]

Thanks! Yes, it's a great machine!

[@ClearAdventure]

@@techreviewguy7771 Just to show again how weird KZbin is, your 2 month old reply to me just popped up on my phone as if it was just now, lol. 🤘🤣

[@Kol_0oo]

Awesome thanks for making this! It would be great to learn more from you

[@techreviewguy7771]

Thanks!

[@CMing-ce6rt]

The Alesis drum machine is a clasic

[@techreviewguy7771]

Oh yes!

[@Tylervrooman]

Darn, I was very excited for this but the angle makes it very difficult to see the screen and which things are lit up because I can see every single option, but thanks for the upload very helpful

[@techreviewguy7771]

Thanks for the feedback. I will keep that in mind for the future.

[@Tylervrooman]

@@techreviewguy7771 thanks for the reply dude! Keep it up man! I'd love to see a redo of this video. Because it was the best one.

[@benbol1364]

Hi, how do I use the rhythms of this drum machine via a yamaha keyboard, but use the baseline thats already in the Yamaha keyboard? my yamaha keyboard uses a usb to host cable but the alesis uses the 5 pin midi

[@techreviewguy7771]

I don't have much experience with USB to host. You may need to get an adapter, like the ones that Kenton makes.

[@operasinger2126]

Thanks for making video! How does one save the new beat? And how to change name of the pattern name?

[@techreviewguy7771]

I will probably address these questions in a future video. :)

[@certaindeff2722]

Hi. Is there a way to use the preset patterns to compose a song by just adding an intro and outro? Please keep it simple, I'm a bass player. Thanks.

[@techreviewguy7771]

Yes, I am pretty sure you can do that. I almost never use the presets, but I am quite sure you can use them in a song.

[@mistrrey5562]

Does anyone know if the preset patterns can be chained together in song mode?

[@techreviewguy7771]

Yes, they can.

[@marcoagius6926]

Hi! Can you do a tutorial on how quantize and swing means and how they work on the alesis sr16 drum machine. Thanks

[@techreviewguy7771]

I will keep your suggestion in mind. Thanks!

[@marcoagius6926]

@@techreviewguy7771 👍

[@RiffMusic1970]

6:00 Learned that the hard way!!

[@techreviewguy7771]

:)

[@stevenstowe3123]

so can you change the timing and beat of the click track, as not all beats are the same?

[@techreviewguy7771]

Yes, you can.

[@tripeldaytona4243]

HI,Can i do blastbeats and d-beat with the sr 16?thanks in advance

[@techreviewguy7771]

I am not sure what those are. Anyone?

[@marcoagius6926]

Hi! How do you adjust the volume levels of the pads? Thanks

[@techreviewguy7771]

It is very easy. There are several settings, including volume, that you can adjust for each pad.

[@marcoagius6926]

@@techreviewguy7771 okay thanks

[@chrisbarnette7137]

Is there a way to get good solid double bass ? Do you have to just do it yourself or can you hold any specific buttons to help ?

[@techreviewguy7771]

By "double bass", do you mean increasing the bass frequency?

[@jmorbid7319]

chris Barnett while recording your beats in pattern mode push stop where u want the double bass, and hold in the fill button and then press the kick pad holding both down the fill button and the kick and then press play while still holding them,,the fill button acts as a roll function for instant double bass or snare blast.

[@operasinger2126]

have to quantize and put in correct note value.

[@velibordrobnjak5713]

Does this machine come with 2/4, 7/8, 9/8 rhythms pre-loaded?

[@techreviewguy7771]

I don't believe so, but I could be wrong. I never use those time signatures, so I am not positive.

[@alexanderzerka8477]

Is there any way to get custom sounds on there?

[@techreviewguy7771]

Good question. This is something I have not yet tried with the SR 16. Anyone?

[@marcoagius6926]

What does the quantize is used for? Thanks

[@techreviewguy7771]

If your playing is off time, quantize will fix it and put it in time.

[@marcoagius6926]

@@techreviewguy7771 okay thanks for your reply

[@johnmartin8164]

Hi I own one and wondered can you play songs live with split rhythm patterns A / B verse chorus for instance So Lonely by the police or The Clash Should I Stay or Should I go? £5 PayPal to the best reply 👍🏼👍🏼

[@techreviewguy7771]

Do you mean, could you just play the patterns in a preferred sequence rather than programming them?