From: Peter Sansom <peters@frisbee.net.au>
Subject: Re: HR16 opinions wtd
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 14:15:37 +1030 (CST)
Cc: electronica+@andrew.cmu.edu

> 
> Hey there, lis' buddies...
> 
> I've been thinking of getting a drum machine for a while and I found an HR16 
> locally for $80 that I'm considering.  Can anyone share any opinions on this 
> machine with me?  
> 

I have had one of these since it first arrived. Very easy to program both 
in step and real time. It uses a tape transport style button arrangement
to make this easy. It differs from the 16B in a couple of ways. The 
sounds in the 16B are different and the 16B has a better MIDI spec, although
it would depend on the os version of the 16. Anything after v1.09 should do
sys exclusive. Look at the display when you turn it on for this. Also check
for an option 15 under the Midi/Utils button (sys-x enable).

The sounds of the HR16 are very clean accoustic style drum sounds (except 
for the psuedo Simmons sounds) and are generally pretty good. The Crash pad
is good value as it assignes two samples to itself so as to stop the cymbal
sound cutting out on repeated hits. You can set any drum sound to any 
pad, tune it (some kind of wierd progression) and set it's mix values (4 
outs so you can set level and pan and output set). There are swing functions,
quantising etc.

There are 49 sounds in all including an odd assortment of latin style 
percusion (what is this obbsession with latin percussion?). My only two
real complaints are :
The rubber pads that create the switch contacts die after a while and 
will need replacing. Luckily Alesis still stock these for a reasonable price.
So that would be the first thing I would check. Make sure ALL the buttons 
work with out the need for exessive force. (ever seen a drum machine bend ?)

The other weak point is the kick drums. They always need some form of 
compression or they will sound a bit weak. Other wise a good price really
as long as it all functions. 

Happy virtual skin bashing
Peter Sansom