# volca drum vs SR-18: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the volca drum (Korg) and SR-18 (Alesis) among drum machines. volca drum is the cheaper of the two at $129.

## Side by side

| Spec | volca drum | SR-18 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $129 | $399 |
| Brand | Korg | Alesis |
| Released | 2019-03 | 2008 |
| Sound engine | Digital percussion synthesis (DSP analog modeling: oscillator waveforms, wave folder, overdrive, waveguide resonator) | Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback |
| Voice count | 6 parts x 2 layers | 32 |
| Sequencer steps | 16 steps per pattern, chainable up to 256 steps across 16 sequences | Variable pattern length, 1-128 beats (no fixed step grid); 16th-note default quantization/resolution |
| Sample playback | No | Yes |
| Onboard effects | Waveguide resonator (tube/string modes) with decay, body and tune controls | Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing) |
| Output count | 1 | 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone |
| Midi support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery powered | Yes | Yes |
| Pad count | 16 | 12 |

## Key differences

- Sound engine: volca drum Digital percussion synthesis (DSP analog modeling: oscillator waveforms, wave folder, overdrive, waveguide resonator) vs SR-18 Sample-based ROM drum, percussion and bass-synth playback
- Voice count: volca drum 6 parts x 2 layers vs SR-18 32
- Sequencer steps: volca drum 16 steps per pattern, chainable up to 256 steps across 16 sequences vs SR-18 Variable pattern length, 1-128 beats (no fixed step grid); 16th-note default quantization/resolution
- Sample playback: volca drum No vs SR-18 Yes
- Onboard effects: volca drum Waveguide resonator (tube/string modes) with decay, body and tune controls vs SR-18 Reverb, EQ and compression (switchable per-sound send/insert processing)
- Output count: volca drum 1 vs SR-18 2 (1/4in stereo main pair) + stereo headphone
- Pad count: volca drum 16 vs SR-18 12

## Sources

- volca drum: https://www.korg.com/us/products/dj/volca_drum/ (korg.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/korg-volca-drum-vs-alesis-sr-18/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, volca drum ($129) vs SR-18 ($399) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/drum-machines/korg-volca-drum-vs-alesis-sr-18/
License: CC BY 4.0.