For serious programmers and those who want to use it as a sound module, the SR-16 provides comprehensive MIDI programming and MIDI implementation. In addition to more than 200 drum and rhythm samples (both in dry form or with reverb), a Dynamic Articulation feature enables a drum's tone to change, depending on how hard it's hit. Comes with fifty preset rhythm patterns (played in by top studio drummers), each with an A and B variation, plus A and B fill, for a total of four different rhythms in each pattern. Of course, you can create and save your own customized patterns and songs. Also includes four outputs, twelve velocity-sensitive pads, 16-voice polyphony, sample/DAC bit resolution 16/18, sound stacking, step editing and a 20-255BPM tempo range.

No doubt the SR-16 is a powerful drum machine, but ultimately it also sounds like a drum machine. If you need some drums to accompany your keyboard or guitar playing, for example, the SR-16 has been the go-to drum machine for many years. But all those bumper stickers about drum machines having no soul just might be directed at the SR-16. It may be a great tool for musicians but in the studio its sound just can't beat the real deal - or loops and more modern drum & percussion instruments and software. It has been used by Autechre and Vangelis.

marcus

March 20, 2011 @ 3:27 pm

I am a jazz/funk/fusion musician and i use the SR16 for my live set i think its ideal for what i'm doing run it thru the mixing board with some EQ and you,re good to go.My only beef is that you can't separate the snare and the kick for independant mixing live.

lightman

February 4, 2011 @ 10:43 am

The SR-16 was my first drummachine. It's very basic, 90% of the drum sounds are acoustic versions so it's difficult to use for electronic music styles unless you want to sound like a mid-80s EBM act. Back in 1993 when I bought it, its comparably low price and ease of use were the key points. If you need a simple machine for jamming along to, the SR-16 might be what you're looking for, other than that, circuit-bending it probably is the best thing you can do with it.

marcus

August 31, 2010 @ 7:28 pm

I WANT ONE.
check out later godflesh albums from 93 onwards...
uses a sr 16, sounds brilliant.
sadly all i have at the moment is a yamaha rx21. lol

Evan Long

April 12, 2010 @ 7:00 pm

I tried the SR-16 for a week when deciding on my first drum machine. Between this and the similarly priced DR-660 from Boss, there was no contest; the Dr. Rhythm outshined this unit by a mile. The sounds were boring and the machine was relatively difficult to program.

Jacqueline

February 21, 2010 @ 6:19 pm

hmmm...my only drum machine and whilst it has great features the sounds themselves are a little uninspiring and mindnumbingly acoustic, the few electronic sounds are barely enough to put a kit together, however it makes a very good midi drum module and once i have finished circuit bending it it's true sonic potential may very well be realised!

<54321>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (Required.)

Email Address: (Required, not published.)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

Posting Rules:
Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

I have read and understand the posting rules.