Alesis Strike MultiPad Reviews

Dream machine

So many features. This thing is BEAST! It has ONE flaw. You cannot maintain a loop while switching kits. So you need to custom each kit. The pad allows for this feature in plenty. As an improv drummer I need to be able to jump around. This ONE feature is not a reason not to buy this item. In fact it's a testament for anyone looking to jump into E-drums/Pad. This is the one tool you'll need for years.

Firmware

I had this unit for 3 years now. Was reluctant to update firmware as I read there were issues. Finally I made decision to update to 1.3 firmware. Bad idea. As soon as I done so pad started freezing on welcome screen. Had to hard restart the unit 3 or more times to get it going. Some people recommended to change sd card. I done so and issue not solved. I have contacted Alesis to send me 1.1 original firmware. I have install that and so fa so good.

Pro: - Nice sounds

- Good feel

Cons: - File management

- no desktop/ios or android software for file management

If I was potential customer I would rather save up extra cash and get Roland SPD SX Pro.

Excellent sampler

A good, responsive device, very flexible in configuration, not demanding on the format of samples. I am very happy with the purchase! There are disadvantages in using the device - there is no software for downloading samples and editing the configuration on the computer. In this, Alesis seriously loses to the Roland sampler.

If you don't have enough money for Roland this is the best option. For me personally even better than Roland

Very decent

Was great for getting down drum parts in the studio and the library of sounds is immense. One quibble is they might’ve offered more variety of kits

Love Amlesis SMP

Love everything about this.....

One can sample any instruments, notes, samples etc....

Best thing is I am able to chain different settings according to the song and instruments I require.

The ability to set different colour coded lights to distinguish the different instruments is amazing.

As for music creativity, the possibilities are endless !!!

Top Notch player

Great hardware, poor software execution

Alesis have fixed a number of problems over the years with firmware iterations. At the time of writing this it's currently on FW 1.3, which brought some awesome features to the Multipad. However, a great number of bugs remain or have popped up with this version. Alesis is aware of all of it and they still haven't made any progress with the FW update. Their support answers with canned responses and can't help with anything. I'm almost certain Alesis have forgotten all about this product. They sold a bunch of them based on hype, now they don't care to give any support to the owners.

If you need a pad for live playing, I would go with Yamaha or Roland, and give this one a pass.

The perfect pad...

It is the best buy I mad the last three years!!!

Better than SPD SX

I have used this for more than 2 years now. The sounds have amazing quality. I would recommend this over a Roland for a number of reasons. It does everything a Roland does and it has better sounds. I very often just chill out playing this along with my electronic drum kit.

An amazing piece of gear

Bought at the beginning of the year this after some consideration, since what I really wanted an e-drum set, but had some unavoidable space constraints.

I'm not a drummer (let's get that out of the way) and just wanted to have a canvas for making some percussive arrangements and laying out basic beats, but the Alesis Strike Multipad goes well above and beyond that.

The pads themselves are very (and I mean very) robust and durable, this thing takes a beating nearly every other day and I'm yet to find any dents or hit marks on the pads.

The sound banks already installed are very good indeed, but for me the Strike Multipad shines when you use it to trigger VST samples and external midi gear, it's pure joy.

Haven't used the onboard sampler yet, it's next on the list.

All in all, I highly recommend if you're looking for an easy and intuitive way to lay out beats and drum tracks.

PROS:

Intuitive interface, easy to setup, ample use scenarios, amazing pads.

CONS:

None so far.

Excellent

For anyone having crosstalk issues: pro tip - just install the latest firmware update. I've heard of people returning the Multipad because of it, when the solution is SO simple! Anyway, it's been great for 8 months that I've used it. Internal sounds are great, rgb lighting and display - all top notch! I'm really happy with it

Cons: if you play three samples simultaneously sometimes (but not always) it sounds distorted and overdriven. You can't change the speed of a loop and therefore all of the factory loops are pretty much useless. You can't instantly turn on the onboard click (you can only turn the click's volume on/off) which means that the click will either turn on in several milliseconds after you press the button, or it will not be on the ''1'' (it will be on the ''2'' or ''3'' or ''4''). And no quantization also a con for me. Also there's no option to route only the click track with no playback to headphones - hence you have to listen to the track plus the click which is annoying sometimes