Arturia
DrumBrute Impact
$299Cheaper
Released 2018-08
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
DrumBrute Impact vs SR-18
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. DrumBrute Impact is cheaper at $299. Every spec and price links to its source.
Alesis
SR-18
$399
Released 2008
Which is better: the DrumBrute Impact or SR-18?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The DrumBrute Impact is the cheaper at $299.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| 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 |
Sources — DrumBrute Impact: arturia.com (verified 2026-08-01). SR-18: alesisdrums.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the DrumBrute Impact and SR-18?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (8 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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 false vs SR-18 true
- 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 false vs SR-18 true
- Pad count: DrumBrute Impact 8 vs SR-18 12