Korg
volca drum
$129Cheaper
Released 2019-03
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
volca drum vs SR-18
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. volca drum is cheaper at $129. Every spec and price links to its source.
Alesis
SR-18
$399
Released 2008
Which is better: the volca drum or SR-18?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The volca drum is the cheaper at $129.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | volca drum | SR-18 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $129 US MSRP | $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 |
Sources — volca drum: korg.com (verified 2026-08-01). SR-18: alesisdrums.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the volca drum and SR-18?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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 false vs SR-18 true
- 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