Alesis Strike Multipad Best Review of 2023

The strike multipad released the news sampling drum pad in 2018. And no one can deny that this is a mind-blowing item. Once this item arrives in the market, it will give mesmerize all of its viewers.

For a long time, the Roland SPD-SX was the only flagship sampling pad on the market of the best electronic drum kits. But then, things are about to change with the Alesis Strike Multi-pad in play. 

This Strike multipad drum pad is the only sampling electronic audio pad equipped with the “Strike” regard. This multipad is designed in a way that takes over all the other brands because it has all the latest and advanced features to mesmerize its users.

Why is the Alesis Strike Multi-pad a game-changer?

For some time, the Alesis strike pads were only proud of its SamplePad Pro. But the way things are on the market today, this device was far inferior to the Roland SPD-SX. 

And since these are companies that have been competing for a long time, Roland was taking most of the credit.

That is why I think the MultiPad is everything the multipad needed to up their game. There is no doubt they have done their homework thoroughly, offering a solution for both beginners and experienced drum players. With pro tools like trigger inputs, via USB, percussion pad, and samples and loops, these samples have everything a drummer wants.

The Multipad comes with a special edition of Pro tools, combined with a copy of Ableton Live Lite. With these features, every producer on the market will be smiling. The via USB, trigger inputs, and percussion pad, works fluently with Ableton live. Whether you’re a seasoned drummer or a newbie, these kits have something for everyone. Its list of features is endless, and regardless of your strumming experience, you’ll enjoy having it.

I never thought I would be seeing anything like this any time soon from the strike multipad. But then, you can expect anything from such an innovative company and their strike multi-pad. In a very short span of time, they have introduced something phenomenal that will attract everyone. Starting with the edition of pro tools, till the trigger inputs, there is a link between everything, and all the functions are well developed.

What to consider when buying a drum pad

The market giants like Alesis, Yamaha, and Roland have been a great reference for electronic musical equipment.

They have always been trying to outshine each other. And that is good for us, right?

Well, that is why you should always consider the brand first before buying these gadgets. Apart from this, there are a bunch of other things to look out for. Having proper knowledge about everything you’re about to buy is a plus point. It will not only help you to get the best product but also makes your choice quite simple and reasonable.

Here are some of the things that every buyer should consider before having a pad.

• Features. There is so much that has been discovered technologically, and a lot more yet to come. For this reason, you also need to consider the features your samples and loops Pad comes with. The best samples and loops pad, of course, has multiple connections and a wide range of sounds to choose from. 
• Your needs. Sampling pads have become an essential component for a drummer, especially in recording studios. But this does not mean we all need them. So, it is important first to establish your needs. Then seek from something that lets you fulfill them. But keep in mind that having velocity-sensitive percussion kits with pro tools like good audio and Ableton live lite is a plus.
• Your budget. The Alesis Strike pad and any similar devices don’t come cheaply. And in this case, I would advise you to buy according to your level of expertise. There is no need for a beginner to invest in something so expensive.

All these factors can be summarized in your preference. And every one of us knows what is best for them.

About the Alesis Strike MultiPad review

Right off the box, the Strike will strike you. It is way better in looks than the previous version. 

The strike multipad, since they introduced the SR-16 in 1990, the strike multi-pad has continued to impress fans with better tech. The Strike series released a few years ago is their latest addition. The rolling out the Strike Multipad introduced a heavy landing sampler that is now on the lips of everyone.  

The strike multipad comes with a superb quality build, bringing to the same level as the Roland SPD-SX. This is the latest addition in their amazing series, and this one comes in with some crazy built-in effects, and so many other features are also introduced in this Pad. You’ll see a link between every product they launch, but every addition is way better than the previous one.

The main selling points include:

• Velocity-sensitive pads with RGB customizable lights, audio, and pro tools first.
• Five onboard effects processors. 
• Expandable. Add three more drum triggers, a hi-hat pedal, and two dual hi-hat pedal foot controls.
• More than 8k onboard samples.
• The MIDI USB internal storage of 32GB.
• Connect any audio recording source.
• Looping software in-built.
• Audio interface and effects processors. 

These are features you will not find with any other device below the price range. 

Now let’s look at them much deeper.

Illumination everywhere

There are twelve strike multi-pad samples, categorized into nine main pads and three edge pads. Well, this is a standard-setting from most pad samples. The samples are different in their own, and each one of them is quite interesting.

But there is something more; the main pads come with customizable LED light on each. With them, you get 17 different colors. And the color-coding is quite extensive.

With this feature, you no longer have to worry about setting your gear in the wrong area. Hence, it helps you avoid huge issues during gigs. As a beginner, most of the people face problems with gears, but these samples will make sure that your gears are in the right direction and you’re not having a hard time using them.

It is not only the color-coding that impressed me. The LEDs come with varying illuminating patterns. You will get blinking tempo and “audio breath,” among other features. The latter illustrates how strong the sound they are emitting is. Other than the sound, the kit effects are just out of the chart. These kit effects will create such unique color-coding that you’ll be amazed.

With this feature, you can easily tell a pad that is playing in a low tone. It will also reveal which sounds have a loop, or which playback track is working. Means, the overall control will be in your hand, and you’ll not face any difficulty while operating any of the samples.

And with the inclusion go the swanky magenta and cyan, I give a thumbs up to the strike multipad. You will also appreciate how they have made the color scheme slick. 

Display 

There are 30 preset kits onboard the Strike. Also, there are whooping 70 user locations for adding your kits. 

The LCD shows everything happening at any given time. This 4.3-inch screen is enough to offer you an excellent view.

Also, the screen is large enough to show a lot of information. It comes with easy to use navigating menus on the editing samples. If you have a team and you want them to watch everything along with you, this large screen will enable you and your team to enjoy the large view of these kits.

A large room, more playing 

Talk of storage, and you will be surprised at how large the Pad is. With a 32GB internal storage disk, you can save as many custom samples as you want so that you never have to lack in your next gig. 

Compared to the SPD-SX, which only has 4GB memory, you can see where the Strike takes it all. 

As if that is not all, it comes with more than 8000 simples on board. They are both pitched and percussive, enabling the user to expand their imagination. If we only look at the 32GB internal storage, we can guarantee you that it will be more than enough for you to go a long way without missing anything.

Loading samples on the Strike Multipad through MIDI USB is quite basic. And if you feel the 32GB USB storage is not enough, then add more room with an external SD card or MIDI USB. But don’t forget to check the pro tool first.

The rubber on the road

I am sure you will not miss anything in the more than 8K audio sounds onboard. You can get an audio tone of great ones. And they all work perfectly with the looping function so that you can play along with your acoustic kit or percussion pad. 

Now the rubber used on the pads is something worth commending. I have seen many pads with are too bouncy or brittle, so the Strike makes more sense to me. 

It is its response that made me feel like I needed to get won one. It feels right when entering the pads with heavy hits or to double strokes.

They are not too stiff, not too, and not too bouncy. Also, the rubber gives presents several actions along with the triggering. They help you easily control the actions of the Strike. 

For instance, I like assigning a pad to turn on and off the effects. You can also step up to the next kit, control the internal click, achieve loop audio recording, and many other functions.

You will also notice a dedicated “panic button” on the console. It is a great feature for some drummers.

I also like the fact that you can assign two WAV features within each Pad. And then program a pad to trigger the tone simultaneous, or otherwise. 

The grouping feature, on the other hand, lets the Pad to initiate the tones assigned to it. It can do this by either cycling through each sample or by playing them all together. 

And for those who are looking for a more extended setup, the Strike comes with four additional pads inputs.

Little things that feel great

There are small buttons on the front panel that seem simple, yet you feel wonderful when you press. The kit-select buttons are more crucial because you will mostly use them during a live performance. They don’t illuminate, though, which makes them a bit hard to find if you want to focus more on the sheet music. 

Also, there is a five-second delay. This can make going through the kits a bit slow. This can also be hard if you are trying to toggle between the tunes seamlessly. 

But it seems to have already noticed that. They have included a button that lets you toggle between preset kits and user kits. You don’t need to scroll past the presets anymore. 

Sample functions and the Looper

The StrikePad Introduces a new feature called the A+B sample function. You can, therefore, have tow samples linked to a single pad. You can have them play together, or alternatively.

This is a concept that can be used inside a DAW with a PC. But I like using them as a standalone. 

The looping function on the Strike is quite amazing. You don’t need only loop samples inside the unit, but the audio sounds from audio inputs too. 

The in/outs

The panel comes with great inputs and outputs. They include ¼ inch stereo, 2-foot control, stereo AUX, stereo main, tons of trigger ins, hi-hat in, MIDI In/Out, USB to a computer, and USM memory stick. 

Verdict 

The strike multi-pad has really stepped up their game in this one. Professional drummers will really love this. And I think the Strike Multipad price is justified. Now you can easily switch products like the Strike Pro and the SPD-SX. 

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