Alesis Strata Prime: what bugs / issues / annoyances / handy tips have you found?

[Niels007007]

I purchased a Strata Prime some months ago and in general am happy with it. However, the module is pretty complicated and there are some issues and bugs, not to mention confusion on how to use the thing when looking at some videos.

I'm spending extra time on the kit and I'm planning to make a review (ish) video about the kit, from the perspective of a NON influencer and someone who is NOT affiliated with any brands. I want to highlight the good, show how to use it, but certainly also pay attention to the downsides and issues in a clear way.

My time is only limited, not to mention my drumming skill.. So I'm curious about the things other users have found, bugs, annoying things, handy tips, ways to set things up etc etc. Feel free to share your findings! I'm curious to try things out so I can present a more complete picture of the kit when I eventually do my non influencer video on it.

BUGS (latest August 2024 v1.1 firmware)
1) In the mixer, ambience & FX section, lower the reverb volume, somehow opens the hihat. Bizzare. Video :

2) Cymbal thesholds do not take trigger sensitivity into account. Set a cymbal edge trigger sensitivity to 1, and the treshold to the first grey line (32). This seems fine, you need to just exceed the theshold. Now set the edge trigger sensitivity to 4, and with the same threshold, hits are only registered when hitting at full velocity.

SILLY THINGS
1) Recording (the red record button) creates a WAV file but there is no way to get this file out of the module! No way to USB /SD / WIFI it off there to use in futher editing /mixing
2) The tuning knobs should have been encoders with detents. They feel like pots but take clear digital steps. You have to carefully watch the screen to see if you've added one 'click' or more, as you can't feel any clicks. Some settings are very sensitive, needing micro rotation of the knobs, some are insensitive and you're turning the knob a lot to get any change

SLIGHTLY ANNOYING
1) Recording doesn't record the line in, just the drums. An option to include the Bluetooth or line audio together with the drums would be welcomed
2) Some parts of the interface need the encoder, touch screen doesn't work for all actions for metronome, device settings etc

DID YOU KNOW? THINGS
1) Some effects (delay for example) rely on the metronome BPM setting
2) double tapping on an effect setting restores it back to some default value

What have you found? I know this is futile but please stay on topic.

 

[roncadillac]

I don't hate alesis but I also don't love alesis. I have a mid level alesis ekit and it works fine for home use for a basic practice kit and simple basic demo recordings. One thing I don't like about alesis is I think they try to cram too many features/options into their modules to increase perceived value when they are not really capable of handling all of it. That was my main concern with the strata prime... It can do far too much. I knew somewhere in there would be bugs just like you are finding.

Interesting topic, I'm curious to see what else you come across.

 

[doggyd69b]

I don't have a strata prime so I can't comment on it, but I do own 2 Alesis modules the DM5 and the Alesis I/O, the DM5 has good sounds but doesn't offer dual zone, but, it has enough inputs you could create some dual zones using those. It has midi in and out so, it can be used with software. The I/O is just Midi only so just software, it has plenty of inputs and offers dual zone, both are still decent modules despite their age. I hope they release some software updates to correct some of those issues soon. If you want to reach more users maybe pay a visit to the Alesis drummer forum: alesisdrummer.com.

 

[Niels007007]

Thanks, I'll check that forum out!