# DrumBrute Impact vs SR-18: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the DrumBrute Impact (Arturia) and SR-18 (Alesis) among drum machines. DrumBrute Impact is the cheaper of the two at $299.

## Side by side

| Spec | DrumBrute Impact | SR-18 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $299 | $399 |
| Brand | Arturia | Alesis |
| Released | 2018-08 | 2008 |
| Sound engine | Fully analog synthesis, 10 fixed analog voices | Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback |
| Voice count | 10 | 32 |
| Sequencer steps | 64 | Variable pattern length, 1-128 beats (no fixed step grid); 16th-note default quantization/resolution |
| Sample playback | No | Yes |
| Onboard effects | Output distortion (bypassable), per-step/per-instrument 'Color' drive/snap/crack shaping, Swing, Pattern Looper and randomness generator | Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing) |
| Output count | Master out + 4 optional individual outs (Kick, Snares, Hi-Hats, FM) + headphone | 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | No | Yes |
| Pad count | 8 | 12 |

## Key differences

- Sound engine: DrumBrute Impact Fully analog synthesis, 10 fixed analog voices vs SR-18 Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback
- Voice count: DrumBrute Impact 10 vs SR-18 32
- Sequencer steps: DrumBrute Impact 64 vs SR-18 Variable pattern length, 1-128 beats (no fixed step grid); 16th-note default quantization/resolution
- Sample playback: DrumBrute Impact No vs SR-18 Yes
- Onboard effects: DrumBrute Impact Output distortion (bypassable), per-step/per-instrument 'Color' drive/snap/crack shaping, Swing, Pattern Looper and randomness generator vs SR-18 Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing)
- Output count: DrumBrute Impact Master out + 4 optional individual outs (Kick, Snares, Hi-Hats, FM) + headphone vs SR-18 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone
- Battery powered: DrumBrute Impact No vs SR-18 Yes
- Pad count: DrumBrute Impact 8 vs SR-18 12

## Sources

- DrumBrute Impact: https://www.arturia.com/products/hardware-synths/drumbrute-impact/overview (arturia.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/arturia-drumbrute-impact-vs-alesis-sr-18/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, DrumBrute Impact ($299) vs SR-18 ($399) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/arturia-drumbrute-impact-vs-alesis-sr-18/
License: CC BY 4.0.