Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine Logo
Posted on Nov 18, 2008
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Alesis SR-16 distorted sounds

I got this machine off ebay.Looks great sounds bad.All the drum tones sound distorted and scratchy.followed the manual instructions on turning down the volume on the individual drums that didn't help.The volume control knob has a lot of background static and some other sites mentioned problems with the volume control.I have a yamaha drum machine and it works fine using the same connections.Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Answer This Question
  • kada80 Nov 23, 2008

    My SR16 has the same problem,distorted sounds at a low volume and scratchy sounding volume knob.Have replaced the volume pot to no avail,could be a faulty chip on the circuit.

×

2 Answers

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.
New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.
Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Apr 04, 2012
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.
New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.
Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Apr 04, 2012
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
2665
Points
3

The distorted and low volume output plus noise is usually caused by using the wrong power supply adapter. The Alesis SR-16 takes a 9V "A/C" supply not "DC". The A/C supply provides a negative voltage swing which wouldn't exist with a DC supply. So check and make sure you have 9V A/C output supply not DC.

  • David Martinez Guillen Nov 25, 2013

    Thanks for the info, I have the same problem and I was using an 9V DC converter, with the 9V AC adapter it works perfectly.

×

Anonymous

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points
Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.
Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.
Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Expert 51 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 05, 2008
Anonymous
Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points
Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.
Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.
Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Nov 24, 2008
Answers
51
Questions
0
Helped
20161
Points
117

I've heard from other users the same complaint. This problem would have to be caused by one of the op-amp chips on the output side. Probably not worth the trouble, you'd have to put a scope on it to nail it down. Before you give up on it, get a magnifying glass and look for bad solder, cracks or breaks in the foil. Good luck.

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

ALESIS SR-16 SERVICE MANUAL
http://www.burnkit2600.com/manuals/ALESIS_SR-16_OM.pdf


Try that
Read full answer
Aug 19, 2014 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
0helpful
1answer

Alesis sr 16 service manual
I got a service manual but don't know how to get it to you. I can sent it by email. Let me hear from you. Contact: [email protected] (subject: "Manual")
The manual is for Alesis HR-16B SRV comes in PDF format.
Read full answer
Aug 19, 2014 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
0helpful
1answer

Does the alesis sr 16 have a back light on the screen
yes, it should light up when you turn it on. Make sure you have the right adaptor. The voltage & polarity will be wreitten on the unit. My adaptor is from Alesis. You can find these on ebay.
Read full answer
Jul 09, 2014 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
0helpful
1answer

Only distortion..
Check your power adapter. This unit REQUIRES a 9 volt AC adapter, NOT a DC one... It MAY appear to operate on DC BUT it can't generate the +/- voltages internally for sound generation with a DC adapter. This is a common problem as people try to run these on a DC adapter.

Here is a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-POWER-ADAPTER-Alesis-HR16-SR16-D4-DM5-/380178938839
Read full answer
Apr 10, 2011 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
0helpful
1answer

In play mode the sr 16 goes beserk. It makes a pulsed buzzing sound and plays back the drums distorted. any ideas?
The SR-16 uses an external transformer as the power supply which provides 9 volts AC. This ac power is converted to DC positive and negative voltages for the digital and analog portions of the circuit. Although the unit has been reliable generally, this symptoms sounds like of of the main filter capacitors in the DC converter circuit(rectifier, filters and voltage regulator) has broken loose or is defective. This will affect both channel equally. If the problem is in one channel, a broken shield on a cable or the output jack ground connection might have broken on that one channel.
Read full answer
Jan 22, 2011 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
1helpful
2answers

Scratchy volume potentiometer
Try cleaning your volume potentiomenter with contact cleaner (they come in spray can's), the scratchy sound is audible when you turn your volume control on, the contacts inside your potentiometer accumulated dust or some other particles.
Read full answer
Aug 11, 2010 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
0helpful
1answer

Sound output is heavily distorted.
Check following things:

1. The master volume control on the SR16 is at least half way up. Turn down the amp as needed. Running very low output of the SR16 and high amp gain is sure to get distortion.

2. Check power adapter is the original and is producing correct voltage.

3. Check that audio cable is high quality instrument cable and not consumer or speaker cable.
Read full answer
May 05, 2010 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
0helpful
1answer

I can't get my dm5 drum set to play,I have reinitialized the sound module and it does not make a sound.
DO the initialize again as on this site:

http://www.hartdynamics.com/support/alesis.html

and follow the directions about setting each pad volume and the dynamic =1
Read full answer
Feb 05, 2010 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
1helpful
1answer

Alesis-sr 16 sound low
Buy the correct adapter that matches the voltage AND current requirements of the unit. MANY universal ones do not and the original MAY have built in filter that universal does not.

You MAY also need to do a factory reset on the unit.
Read full answer
Oct 18, 2009 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
0helpful
1answer

I need to find the instuction manual for an Alesis SR-16 drum machine. I was told that it is available for free on line. Where?
Go to alesis.com/sr16 the reference manuel, program chart etc. are all there. I just went there to double checkit and it is there.
Read full answer
Aug 31, 2009 • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine
Not finding what you are looking for?

View Most Popular

Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine

  • Music

Related Question

ALESIS SR-16 SERVICE MANUAL

  • Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine

Related Topics

2,675 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Popular Questions

How to do a factory reset on a alesis s r 16 drummer

Alesis Music

Need foot switch for this machine.

Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine

How to change internal battery in alesis d4 drum module

Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine

I bought an Alesis SR-16 drum machine from an

Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine

Alesis sr16: How do you hook it up??

Alesis Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine

Top Alesis Music Experts

Ngoro

Level 3 Expert

3523 Answers

ADMIN Andrew
ADMIN Andrew

Level 3 Expert

66957 Answers

Aron

Level 3 Expert

2586 Answers

Are you an Alesis Music Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

PDF Manual
. Sr 16 Stereo Drum Machine Manual

Sr 16 Stereo Drum...

Loading...