Alesis Strike MultiPad Review & In Depth Tutorial

February 6, 2024

Consider Alesis Strike Multipad for a flexible drumming tool. It allows you to edit, sample, loop, and perform. Plus, it doesn’t require a lot of money. In that case, Alesis Strike MultiPad is for you. 

Alesis Strike MultiPad is an electronic sample pad that offers excellent value for money. It has ample storage, custom lights for visual recognition, and exceedingly soft pads. However, there’s always room for improvement. 

I’ve spent 72 hours researching this wonder. I’ve tested its features, sound, and the overall quality. 

Is it worth the money? 

Let’s determine together in this Alesis Strike MultiPad Review.

Alesis Strike MultiPad Review

Price

4.3/5

 The price is approximate to Roland SPD SX, but you get a newer device.

Quality

4.6/5

 Way better than the previous electronic pad models.

Easy of use

3.4/5

Not too complicated when you get used to

Features

4.2/5

Endless possibilities, only few could be improved

Pros
Cons

Should I buy Alesis Strike Multipad?

Alesis Strike MultiPad is considered a good investment, and it’s definitely worth the money. 

This device is, without question, a step-up for the Alesis line of electronic pads however in compare to Roland SPD – SX there’s still some room for improvements.

Overview of the Alesis Strike MultiPad

Alesis Strike MultiPad main features:

  • 9 velocity-sensitive RGB lit pads
  • 4.3″ display
  • Over 8000 samples and loops
  • Built-in Looper
  • 32GB of storage
  • 6GB of content, including percussion, loops, drums, and melodic instruments 
  • MIDI interface
  • Premium Software Suite
  • 2 input/2 output USB 

According to Amazon reviews, Alesis Strike MultiPad has 4.4 out of 5 stars from 285 users. Thoman reviews give it 4.5 stars out of 5 from 57 users. Sweetwater reviews show an average of 4 stars out of 32 users for this MultiPad. 

From my point of view and the testing experience, I would give around the same average grade, which would be around 4.4 stars. 

According to reviews on these sites, most of the users complained that this MultiPad is not as user-friendly as they would like. 

This means that the user interface is not so intuitive, and you might need more time to learn how to use it. I can confirm this. Navigating through the module was a bit confusing, which can be frustrating, especially for beginner users. 

The Alesis Strike MultiPad is newer and has more features than the older Roland SPD-SX. However, it is also $200 cheaper. Roland SPD-SX is tough and reliable, but Alesis Strike MultiPad wins in this duo. 

The Alesis Strike MultiPad costs about $600, but it’s a good value for the price. Not too expensive, it delivers just about what you could expect. 

electronic sample pad

What I like about Alesis Strike Multipad 

The number of inputs and outputs is what I noticed first. As I already mentioned, the wide range of options available at great price points will impress you. You will get a ton of triggering inputs – two of them are dual-zone, and one is mono. 

I like the Alesis Strike MultiPad. It has a unique A + B Sample Function. Other multi-pads probably don’t have it.

This function allows you to have two samples linked to one pad. This allows you to alternate between playing the samples simultaneously or all at once. You can use this with your computer and a digital workstation as well.

Last but not least, I have to mention the price. Compared to other electronic sample pads, this one is more affordable. Alesis’s competitors cost about $900, but Alesis offers a great electronic sample pad for only $600. So, you don’t have to steal money to afford it.

The cost of Alesis Strike MultiPad

The Alesis Strike MultiPad has a price of $600, making it a better deal compared to the Roland SPD-SX. The Roland SPD-SX costs $800 and has fewer features and options. 

The Roland SPD-SX Pro is much more expensive than the other one, costing $1,200 instead of half that price. For $600, you get many great features, inputs and outputs, pre-loaded samples, and a well-built piece of equipment. 

Let’s compare it to the Yamaha DTX Multi 12. Alesis is cheaper, around $900. However, the 12 very sensitive pads add up to the price. 

When we compare it to Ronald Octapad, the Alesis wins the battle of affordability again. Ronald Octapad costs around $900. 

People know Roland for its durability and reliability, and they consider the Octapad a top-quality sample pad. Alesis lets you record your own samples, but the Ronald Octapad does not have this feature.

Flaws and potential dealbreakers

The Alesis Strike MultiPad biggest flaw is that it loads pretty slow. For example it loads a couple of seconds slower compared to Ronald SPD-SX. It takes time to run the systems and this can be a deal breaker for some drummers.

It can also happen that once you try to run your unit, it can freeze. It will probably be stuck at reboot cycle without passing the startup screen. Many Alesis Strike MultiPad users have confirmed and faced this issue frequently. Atthat point there’s no reaction to any buttons, including the power switch. 

What you can do at this moment is to try to unplug and then plug back your unit into the power source. This will probably fix the problem, if it doesn’t help at first, do it a few times until the system is up and running. You can also try to erase all user sounds, reset your ASP unit to factory settings and reinstall the firmware.

alesis strike multi pad review

Alesis Strike Multipad vs. Roland SPD-SX PRO

Strike MultiPad has softer pads than the Roland SPD-SX, which makes it more pleasant to play. Also, Strike pads are a bit quieter, which is logical since they are softer.

In terms of technical features, they are quite similar. Both pads have 32 GB of storage, nine sensitive pads, a color display, USB connectivity, and Stereo Audio Inputs. However, Ronald SPD-SX Pro has better hardware features. 

Ronald SPD-SX Pro has 4 inputs, while Strike Multipad has 3 inputs. SPD-SX Pro also has 6 independent rootable balanced direct outputs, while Alesis has 2 non-splittable stereo outputs.

Software-wise, Roland wins again. You convert the audio when you import it. Upon import, the system converts the audio.

There’s a free app that lets you change settings on your computer and pad at the same time. The SPD-SX saves your adjustments in case of a power failure, but Alesis does not have this feature. 

Both of these pads have a pretty quick and excellent interface with a detailed and precise screen. Both offer a lot of diverse sounds with a great variety and great storage. Roland is reliable and durable, but Alesis equipment may not be as reliable, although it can still be durable. 

When it comes to the price, the Roland SPD-SX Pro costs twice as much as the Alesis Strike MultiPad. You can find it for around $1,200, while Strike MultiPad is available for $600. 

Is it worth it? If you ask me, not really. The price difference is huge, but the sound and features of the SPD-SX Pro don’t justify the high price.

Why you should trust me?

As a drummer and percussionist with over 15 years of experience, I’m deeply passionate about drumming. My insights and writings have earned recognition in Drum Magazine, reflecting my commitment to the drumming community. 

I focus on providing authentic advice and well-researched recommendations, drawing from extensive hands-on experience. My aim is to deliver relatable and informative content that supports drummers of all levels in their musical journey.

How I Tested

So, the first thing that I tested was the built quality and its durability. It looks excellent and feels good in touch when playing. The unit was sturdy, and it could handle a lot of hitting.

I think that it is pretty durable in the long run. Extremely firm but light to play. Silicone makes up the top panel, while the display screen is substantial in size and appears remarkably clear.

When I tested the sound, I was pretty surprised. For the price, it has good pre-loaded samples and a looping function for jamming with your acoustic kit. You can easily record your drumming and overdub up to sixteen measures. 

Aside from the pre-built looping samples, I could also loop sounds from the audio input on the unit. 

This means that the drummer is able to plug in a microphone, guitar, mixer, or anything you want, which is a huge plus! The sound and samples are diverse, great for exploring different styles. 

When I tested the recording process, it was a piece of cake, unlike editing. 

Editing is hard and takes a lot of time. It can be tough to figure out how to use the buttons, menus, and samples, especially if you’re new to it. Even with my 15 years of experience, I had a hard time figuring this out.

Last but not least, minor features that I had to test out are the inputs and outputs. It has many well-made and easily placed features, better than its ancestors or competition, including Ronald SPD-SX.

What are electronic drum pads used for?

You use electronic drum pads to practice and expand your acoustic drum sound. They offer a wide range of sounds, from traditional to unusual drum kit samples. 

They have many features, including recording and pre-built samples, but you can also make your own samples and edit them. It is a highly versatile piece of equipment.

Electronic pads provide a variety of sounds and the ability to add your own samples and sounds. 

The first one is a drum pad called Ronald Octapad. It has many different sounds, but you can’t add your own samples.

There are electronic drum pads like Alesis MultiPad and Roland SPD-SX. These pads have fewer sounds, but they make it easy for you to add your own sounds and samples. Based on your drumming needs, choose one of these. 

Do you need it? If you want to explore more sounds, upload your own samples, and experiment with styles, then YES. 

What about getting used Alesis Strike Multipad? 

When it comes to used Alesis Strike MultiPad, its price is around $300 to $400, while the new one is available at $600. The price is not so significant, yet you will get a new, unpacked electronic device, so judge for yourself if it’s worth it.

Buying used electronic drum pads is risky unless you buy them from a trustworthy source, based on my experience. Also, in these cases, if you really want to buy a used e-pad, then opt for these higher-end ones from reputable manufacturers.

Verdict

In this Alesis Strike MultiPad review, I aim to help you understand this equipment and its main features, pros, and cons. 

Overall, this is an excellent electronic pad that will not cost you a fortune to buy. Still, it will fulfill your expectations and more. It has a lot of features to offer. It is a match made in heaven for those who want an additional drum sample to their performances without paying through the nose.

Denis Loncaric
Denis Loncaric

My name is Denis. I am a drummer, percussionist, music enthusiast, and blogger. Drums have been my passion for 15 years now. My idea is to write about the things I like and I am interested in. I want to share my drum passion with fellow musicians who walk, talk, and breathe drums.

2 Comments
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  1. So can you advise if I can add my Roland Bass Drum Pad and route that sound to the Alesis Multi Strike Pad?

    If I can, which input do I use on the back of the Alesis Strike Pad module

    And how do I set this up

    • Hi John, Thanks for commenting, although I used this pad only for sampling and metronome mostly, you should be able to by plugging in your external bass drum to on of the trigger inputs. After doing this, when hitting the bass drum you should be able to see the signal. If that works you are adding the sounds like for any other pad, the same goes for other settings. Hope this was helpful. Cheers, Denis

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