Alesis

Alesis is an American audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1984 by Keith Barr in Hollywood, California. The company initially produced digital audio processors, including the Midiverb and the QuadraVerb, which were highly popular with musicians and recording engineers due to their affordability and versatility. In the 1990s, Alesis expanded into the production of digital audio workstations (DAWs) and drum machines, with the release of the ADAT digital recorder in 1991 and the SR-16 drum machine in 1990. The ADAT was a groundbreaking product, as it offered affordable multitrack digital recording to a wide range of musicians and producers. The company was acquired by Numark Industries in 2001, and later by in Music Brands in 2012.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1985 /

Alesis XT Digital Reverb

The Alesis XT Digital Reverb, released in 1985, is a high quality digital signal processing system, specifically designed to simulate natural reverberation and special acoustic effects.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1986 /

Alesis Midiverb Digital Reverb

The one that changed everything, the Alesis Midiverb came along and gave everyone a digital reverb for their home studio recordings. It was no Lexicon that is for sure, but when the Alesis Midiverb came along it was a gift for home recording musicians and it launched Alesis as a company, into the stratosphere.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1987 /

Alesis HR-16 Drum Machine

Released in 1987, the Alesis HR-16 was a 16-bit digital drum machine offering velocity-sensitive pads, 49 samples, and advanced sequencing with 100 patterns and 100 songs. Affordable and powerful, it brought professional drum programming to home studios and influenced hip-hop, industrial, and indie music throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1987 /

Alesis Midiverb II Digital Effects Processor

The Alesis Midiverb II is a stereo digital effects processor with 16-bit linear PCM processing, 99 preset programs, MIDI control, 15kHz bandwidth, and a 1RU rackmount format. It improved on the original Midiverb with better bandwidth, an improved noise floor, and easier rack integration.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1988 /

Alesis Microverb Digital Reverb

The Alesis Microverb represents a clear breakthrough in signal processing technology, utilising the Alesis R.I.S.C architecture. The Alesis Microverb provides clean quiet: professional digital reverberation with the cost and simplicity of spring units. The entire digital processing system is contained on a single chip, developed by Alesis.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1988 /

Alesis QuadraVerb Digital Effects Processor

By 1988 Alesis were on a roll, and with the release of the Alesis Quadraverb, they took things to the next level and continued to dominate the market for home recording. The Alesis Qudraverb’s party trick of course, was that it could use up to four different effects, reverb, delay, pitch and equaliser, simultaneously. And it did so with 20k bandwidth!

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1989 /

Alesis Microverb II Digital Reverb

The Alesis Microverb II represents a clear breakthrough in signal processing technology. Utilising the Alesis R.I.S.C. (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture. The Alesis Microverb II provides clean, quiet, professional digital reverberation with the cost and simplicity of spring units, in a highly compact enclosure.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1989 /

Alesis 3630 Compressor

Compression Type: VCA

Since its introduction, the Alesis 3630 Compressor has become the most popular dynamics processor ever made. Despite what the official Alesis marketing department say about the Alesis 3630 Compressor below, it is not the holy grail of compressors, regardless of the fact it has become something of a cult classic among many musicians.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1990 /

Alesis SR-16 Drum Machine

The Alesis SR-16, released in 1990, is one of the most enduring drum machines ever produced. With 233 sounds, Dynamic Articulation, velocity-sensitive pads, and professional drummer-programmed patterns, it became a staple for songwriters, performers, and studios worldwide, maintaining relevance for over three decades.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1990 /

Alesis Midiverb III Digital Effects Processor

The Alesis Midiverb III is a high quality multi-effects unit which features up to 4 simultaneous effects at a full 15KHz bandwidth and with 16 bit resolution. Since all features of Alesis Midiverb III are accessible from the front panel, the operator can set up a wide range of complex effects without a complex user interface.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1991 /

Alesis Quadraverb GT Guitar Effects Processor

The Alesis QuadraVerb GT is a stereo effects unit that is ideal for guitar. It combines analogue and digital electronics to provide the best of both worlds.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 1992 /

Alesis ADAT 8 Track Digital Recorder

The Alesis ADAT recorder when it arrived in 1992, literally changed the world overnight for studios and home musicians alike, by bringing digital recording to an affordable level for small studios and musicians.

Classic Tracks Using Alesis Gear

Click for deep dives into iconic songs, the gear, engineers, and studios behind the recordings

Stay

Lisa Loeb

Jagged Little Pill

Alanis Morissette

The Rembrandts

Blue

LeAnn Rimes