Elektron
Digitakt II
$999
Released 2024-06
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
Digitakt II 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 Digitakt II 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 | Digitakt II | SR-18 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $999 US MSRP at launch (2024) | $399 |
| Brand | Elektron | Alesis |
| Released | 2024-06 | 2008 |
| Sound engine | Sample-based drum computer and stereo sampler | Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback |
| Voice count | 16 | 32 |
| Sequencer steps | 128 | Variable pattern length, 1-128 beats (no fixed step grid); 16th-note default quantization/resolution |
| Sample playback | Yes | Yes |
| Onboard effects | Saturator delay, Supervoid reverb, Panoramic chorus, bit reduction, sample-rate reduction, overdrive, master compression | Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing) |
| Output count | 2 | 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | No | Yes |
| Pad count | 16 | 12 |
Sources — Digitakt II: elektron.se (verified 2026-08-01). SR-18: alesisdrums.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the Digitakt II and SR-18?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- Sound engine: Digitakt II Sample-based drum computer and stereo sampler vs SR-18 Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback
- Voice count: Digitakt II 16 vs SR-18 32
- Sequencer steps: Digitakt II 128 vs SR-18 Variable pattern length, 1-128 beats (no fixed step grid); 16th-note default quantization/resolution
- Onboard effects: Digitakt II Saturator delay, Supervoid reverb, Panoramic chorus, bit reduction, sample-rate reduction, overdrive, master compression vs SR-18 Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing)
- Output count: Digitakt II 2 vs SR-18 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone
- Battery powered: Digitakt II false vs SR-18 true
- Pad count: Digitakt II 16 vs SR-18 12