# MPC One+ vs SR-18: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the MPC One+ (Akai Professional) and SR-18 (Alesis) among drum machines. SR-18 is the cheaper of the two at $399.

## Side by side

| Spec | MPC One+ | SR-18 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $699 | $399 |
| Brand | Akai Professional | Alesis |
| Released | 2023-05 | 2008 |
| Sound engine | Sample-based MPC production engine with bundled plugin instruments (Bassline, Electric, Tubesynth, etc.) | Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback |
| Voice count | 8 audio tracks / 128 total sequencer tracks | 32 |
| Sequencer steps | — | Variable pattern length, 1-128 beats (no fixed step grid); 16th-note default quantization/resolution |
| Sample playback | Yes | Yes |
| Onboard effects | AIR FX mastering processor, plus drum-pad effects including ring mod, bit crush and decimator | Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing) |
| Output count | 2 main (1/4in TRS stereo) + 4 stereo CV/Gate pairs | 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | No | Yes |
| Pad count | 16 | 12 |

## Key differences

- Sound engine: MPC One+ Sample-based MPC production engine with bundled plugin instruments (Bassline, Electric, Tubesynth, etc.) vs SR-18 Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback
- Voice count: MPC One+ 8 audio tracks / 128 total sequencer tracks vs SR-18 32
- Onboard effects: MPC One+ AIR FX mastering processor, plus drum-pad effects including ring mod, bit crush and decimator vs SR-18 Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing)
- Output count: MPC One+ 2 main (1/4in TRS stereo) + 4 stereo CV/Gate pairs vs SR-18 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone
- Battery powered: MPC One+ No vs SR-18 Yes
- Pad count: MPC One+ 16 vs SR-18 12

## Sources

- MPC One+: https://www.akaipro.com/mpc-one-plus/ (akaipro.com, verified 2026-08-01)
- SR-18: https://www.alesisdrums.com/multipads-and-drum-machines/sr18/ (alesisdrums.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/akai-mpc-one-plus-vs-alesis-sr-18/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, MPC One+ ($699) vs SR-18 ($399) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/akai-mpc-one-plus-vs-alesis-sr-18/
License: CC BY 4.0.