The Alesis Thesis, Part 2: Comparing the Strata Core and the Strata Prime

As a follow-up to our last “Alesis Thesis” article, in which we compared Alesis’s Nitro Max and Nitro Pro, let’s continue with this theme and get a little more upscale. That is, let’s look at a couple more pro-level kits that Alesis offers: the Strata Core and the Strata Prime. This should be a lot of fun, so let’s jump right in!

The Strata Core

New to the Alesis lineup is the Strata Core. Alesis says that the Strata Core is a “pro-level eKit that punches above its weight,” and man, that’s no joke! The Core features a 12-inch snare with independent head, rim, and rimshot sounds. It also has three dual-zone toms: two 8-inch toms and one 10-inch tom. Plus, it comes with an 8-inch kick drum tower that can accommodate double pedals. For the triple-zone cymbals, we find two 12-inch crashes, a 14-inch ride, and the simply stupendous stand-mounted 12-inch Active Magnetic hi-hat. All of this is assembled on the included curved steel rack, and it’s worth noting that the crashes and ride can be put onto standard cymbal stands in case you want to use the rack clamps for other accessories (such as mounting an Alesis SamplePad Pro percussion pad).

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Moving onto the Core module itself, the BFD sound engine powers both the Core and the Prime. For the Core, we find 75 kits spanning four sound libraries with more than 370 kit pieces, adjustable microphone channels, and more than 800 articulations across over 25GB of data, all navigated via a 7-inch touchscreen. You’ll also get plenty of connectivity with Bluetooth 5.0, stereo 1/4-inch outputs, MIDI I/O, 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphone outputs, a 1/8-inch Aux In, USB-A for plugging in flash drives, and USB-B for connecting to your computer. We’d be remiss not to mention that the module is expandable via the BFD Player desktop app and that Alesis has thrown in a free 90-day subscription to Drumeo!

The Strata Prime

The proverbial grandpappy of Alesis kits at the moment is the Alesis Strata Prime. It sports a full 6-piece configuration plus four cymbal pads and the gargantuan touchscreen Prime module, which features a robust BFD sound engine under the hood, with 75 preset kits, 440 sounds, and loads of personalization.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

First, let’s talk about the kit itself and mention that moving to the Strata Prime from an acoustic kit (or moving back and forth between the two) is a piece of cake. Since each pad within the Strata Prime electronic drum kit is designed with tunable mesh heads and dual-zone playability, the Strata Prime plays with a realism and natural rebound that will make acoustic kit drummers immediately feel right at home. The included cymbals feature a 3-zone design with 360-degree triggering, and both 16-inch crashes plus the 18-inch ride respond with bell/bow sounds. The 14-inch hi-hat cymbal pad sits right atop its magnetic controller — both of which feature lifelikeness and accuracy that belie their digital design. Finally, the included 4-post steel curved rack system with locking clamps holds your shallow shells and encompasses a full-size 20-inch bass drum (the other five included shells are 8-, 10-, 12-, and 14-inch toms with a 14-inch snare).

Underpinning everything is the Prime drum module, and it’s a total behemoth. Seventy-five preset kits feature studio kits, live kits, electronic pads, Latin percussion, and much, much more. The superb BFD sound engine and multicore processor power it all, with 128GB of internal storage, 40GB of which is preloaded with 440 kit pieces and 1,092 articulations, and more than enough user kit slots for you to create any kind of kit you want. Plus, the BFD Player desktop app lets you expand your sounds even further. The Prime module is certainly adept at navigation: it sports a colossal 10.1-inch touchscreen display with intuitive dial controls and buttons, a 3-way volume control for the kit, an auxiliary music input, individual 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphone inputs, and connections for USB-A (for flash drives), USB-B (for your computer), MIDI, and balanced XLR outputs. Finally, an onboard metronome, a 90-day Drumeo subscription, and a 30-day/60-lesson Melodics Premium subscription sweeten this already sweet deal!

So, Which Strata Electronic Drum Kit Is Right for You?

After spending ample time with both kits, Sweetwater drummers have this to say: both kits are fire! It’s impossible to say which one is “better,” as they serve different needs. Intermediate-to-experienced drummers whose apartments, practice rooms, or band rehearsal places are lacking in floor space should seriously consider the Strata Core. It has almost everything the Strata Prime does, but it requires a smaller footprint. That said, if you’re an experienced drummer with ample room, and you don’t want to settle for less than the latest and greatest that eKit technology has to offer, then the Strata Prime is the current flagship model for Alesis, so it’s definitely the kit for you.

Once Again, You Simply Can’t Go Wrong

Just like when we compared the Nitro Max and Nitro Pro, we can conclude that either of these Alesis Strata kits is a stellar option that you’ll be playing, practicing on, and performing with for years to come. The acoustic-like response from the pads and cymbals plus the expandability of the module via the desktop BFD Player app are two key points that make us feel like you won’t get bored with either kit anytime soon. Ready to take your drumming to the Strata-sphere? Then call one of our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222‑4700,and get going!

The post The Alesis Thesis, Part 2: Comparing the Strata Core and the Strata Prime appeared first on InSync.