Alesis Strata Prime Drum Module

Alesis Strata Prime Drum Module – BFD sounds, flexible trigger setup and detailed sound editing

• Multi-layer BFD factory content with different articulations and adjustable microphone channels
• 75 preset kits with more than 440 instruments, over 1,000 articulations and more than 215,000 samples
• More than 60 trigger presets for current Alesis pads and selected third-party triggers
• 10.1" touchscreen for kit selection, sound editing, trigger settings and mixing directly on the module
• 128 GB internal storage with more than 40 GB of BFD factory content and over 80 GB available for your own content
• BFD3 and AIR effects plus Stacks for extensive sound design directly on the drum module

The Alesis Strata Prime is a drum module for electronic drummers who want to combine an extensive internal sound library with detailed trigger and sound editing. It provides 75 preset kits, more than 440 instruments, over 1,000 articulations and more than 215,000 samples, complemented by more than 40 GB of multi-layer factory content from BFD. The 10.1" touchscreen gives you direct access to kits, instruments, microphone channels, effects and trigger settings. More than 60 trigger presets and user-saveable trigger configurations also make the PRIME an interesting choice for electronic drum setups that are not built exclusively around the original Strata pads.

Who is the Alesis Strata Prime for?

The PRIME is particularly suitable for drummers who want to go beyond selecting ready-made kits and prefer to shape instruments, articulations, microphone levels and effects themselves. It also provides extensive options for individually configured electronic drum kits, as current Alesis pads as well as selected third-party triggers can be integrated using existing or custom trigger presets.

Compatibility and requirements

• According to Alesis, all current Alesis pads are compatible with the PRIME module. Suitable trigger presets are available for numerous current Alesis triggers.
• The PRIME also includes presets for selected third-party drum pads and cymbals. More than 60 trigger presets are available in total.
• If no suitable preset exists for a third-party trigger, its trigger parameters can be adjusted and saved as a custom trigger preset. Alesis explicitly provides this option for most third-party triggers.
• Basic trigger operation does not automatically mean that every zone or special function of a third-party trigger will be supported. With multi-zone cymbals and hi-hats in particular, the exact functionality of the specific model should be checked.
• The PRIME provides dedicated hi-hat calibration, allowing the response of the hi-hat controller to be adjusted to the system in use.
• The original Alesis ARC cymbals use three zones for edge, bow and bell. The ARC 14" Active Hi-Hat combines a triple-zone cymbal with a magnetic hi-hat controller and is designed as an integrated Alesis system for the PRIME.
• Bluetooth Audio and Bluetooth MIDI are separate functions. Bluetooth Audio can be used to play backing tracks wirelessly, while Bluetooth MIDI is intended for connecting supported MIDI devices.
• Via USB, the PRIME can transmit MIDI data to a Mac or Windows computer and control drum software in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

Functions and benefits

• More than 40 GB of multi-layer factory content from BFD forms a major part of the internal sound library. The combination of different articulations and multiple sample layers allows different playing techniques and velocity levels to call up corresponding sound material instead of simply playing the same basic sample at different volumes.
• Many acoustic kit pieces provide several microphone channels. Depending on the instrument, these can include Direct, Kick In, Kick Out, Snare Top, Snare Bottom, Overhead and Room channels. This lets you balance the direct drum sound against the room and overhead components directly on the module.
• This BFD sound architecture provides additional detail for dynamic playing. Different articulations and sound layers can represent different velocities and playing techniques, which is particularly relevant for soft and hard strokes as well as different snare, hi-hat and cymbal articulations.
• Kit pieces can be edited directly on the PRIME. Available parameters include sound selection, attack, tuning and the levels of the available microphone channels. Existing preset kits can therefore be modified and saved separately as user kits.
• Stacks let you add up to three additional sounds or articulations to a primary sound. This can be used to enrich an acoustic instrument with extra sound components or to build layered hybrid sounds.
• The complete BFD3 effects catalogue and AIR effects are available for further sound processing. Up to three effects can be applied per instrument and per individual microphone channel, allowing individual parts of the sound to be processed in detail before they leave the module.
• Learn XTalk helps detect and reduce crosstalk between connected pads and cymbals. Trigger parameters can also be adjusted individually and saved as custom presets.
• Your own samples can be imported from SD, SDHC or SDXC cards. WAV, MP3 and AIFF files are supported and can be used as custom kit pieces.

Scope of delivery

• 1 x Alesis Strata Prime Drum Module
• 1 x module mounting plate
• 1 x power supply

Technical data

Sounds and storage

• Preset kits: 75
• Instruments: more than 440
• Articulations: more than 1,000
• Samples: more than 215,000
• Internal storage: 128 GB
• BFD factory content: more than 40 GB
• Storage available for user content: more than 80 GB
• Processor: Multi-Core

Operation and sound editing

• Display: 10.1" colour touchscreen
• Stacks: up to 3 additional sounds or articulations per primary sound
• Effect libraries: BFD3 and AIR
• Effects: up to 3 per instrument or microphone channel
• Editable microphone channels: depending on the kit piece, including Direct, Kick In, Kick Out, Snare Top, Snare Bottom, Overhead and Room

Triggers

• Trigger presets: more than 60
• Alesis compatibility: current Alesis pads
• Third-party triggers: presets for selected third-party pads and cymbals
• Custom trigger presets: saveable
• Hi-hat calibration: adjustable
• Crosstalk function: Learn XTalk

Data and connectivity

• Bluetooth Audio: supported
• Bluetooth MIDI: for supported MIDI devices
• USB MIDI: class-compliant for Mac and Windows
• Memory cards: SD, SDHC and SDXC
• Import formats: WAV, MP3 and AIFF

Frequently asked questions

Can I use other Alesis pads with the Strata Prime?

Yes. Alesis confirms compatibility with current Alesis pads and provides suitable trigger presets for numerous models. After connecting a pad, the matching preset should be selected in the trigger menu.

Can I use pads and cymbals from other manufacturers?

The PRIME also includes presets for selected third-party triggers. Trigger parameters can be adjusted and custom presets saved for additional models. However, whether every zone and special function of a particular cymbal or hi-hat is supported has to be checked on a model-by-model basis.

What is the benefit of the BFD sounds in the PRIME?

The multi-layer BFD content combines different articulations with detailed kit-piece editing. Many acoustic instruments also provide separate microphone components such as Direct, Overhead or Room. This gives you control not only over which instrument is used, but also over its dynamic response, spatial character and position within the overall drum mix.

Can I load my own sounds into the PRIME?

Yes. WAV, MP3 and AIFF files can be imported from SD, SDHC or SDXC cards and used as custom kit pieces. More than 80 GB of the internal storage is available for your own content.