Akai Professional
MPC One+
$699
Released 2023-05
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
MPC One+ vs SR-18
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. SR-18 is cheaper at $399. Every spec and price links to its source.
Alesis
SR-18
$399Cheaper
Released 2008
Which is better: the MPC One+ or SR-18?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The SR-18 is the cheaper at $399.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | MPC One+ | SR-18 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $699 US MSRP at launch (May 2023) | $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 |
Sources — MPC One+: akaipro.com (verified 2026-08-01). SR-18: alesisdrums.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the MPC One+ and SR-18?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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+ false vs SR-18 true
- Pad count: MPC One+ 16 vs SR-18 12