Alesis SampleRack | Rackmount Percussion Module With Onboard Sound Storage

Alesis’ SampleRack is the open-ended percussion module for the modern player. In a streamlined single rack-space module, SampleRack delivers hundreds of professionally recorded in-demand sounds—and you can easily add more. And accessing the sounds couldn’t be easier.

SampleRack offers an expansive array of trigger inputs, plus full compatibility with all MIDI equipped pads, triggers, sequencers, and instruments. The backlit LCD panel and minimal controls combine to deliver an uncluttered appearance and intuitive access to all parameters. So whether you are looking to add a newpercussion sound source to your studio, enhance your live rig, or upgrade the “brains” of your current digital drumset, SampleRack is your one-stop solution.

There are more than 200 built-in, carefully-crafted drum, cymbal, andpercussion sounds—each created by the professional Alesis sound design team. Sounds are arranged into ten preset drum kits for instant access during performance. Plus, each sound offers individual access to key parameters such as pitch, panning, and reverb for customized control.

And when that next “must-have” sound comes around, you can even use an SD card (up to 32GB, not included) to store an additional 512 sounds and 20 custom kits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my SD card work?

The SamplePad Pro will function as expected with most major brand SD or SDHC cards with a capacity of up to 32 GB in size.  The audio files must be located on the root directory of the card and not in any folders.  The max number of files that can be located in the root directory is 512.

What format should my audio files be?

The samples files must be 16-bit, mono or stereo .WAV files with a sample rate of 48K, 44.1K, 32K, 22.05K, or 11.025K.

The .WAV file must be located in the root (main) directory of the card and not in any folders. We recommend formatting your SD card to a FAT32 file system (if it is not already) and naming your sample files according to this format. Basically, this means: Do not use these characters: “” * / \ : ? | Do not use spaces. Limit your file name to 8 characters (excluding the file extension, “”.WAV””). You can assign up to 48 MB worth of samples per kit (the sample library on your SD card can be larger, of course). Also, please note that a sample’s size will be rounded up when loaded (e.g., a 2.1 MB sample on the SD card will be treated as a 3 MB sample when it is assigned to a pad). The max number of files that can be located in the root directory is 512.

Why are some of my WAV audio files are not loading correctly? What can I do?

When exporting WAV files from certain Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Avid Pro Tools and Steinberg Cubase, extra information is added to the exported file that sometimes causes the WAV file to not read correctly.

Alesis has provided a firmware update for the SampleRack to ensure that these type of WAV files are able to read correctly and function as expected.

To obtain the firmware update and installation instructions, visit the Alesis SampleRack product page and choose the Docs & Downloads tab.

Can I assign more than one sound to a single pad?

Yes. The Alesis SamplePad has a feature called Velocity Layers. The Velocity Layer feature allows for up to 2 samples (referred to as Layers) per 1 pad or trigger input. The 2 Layers are referred to as A and B and they can only be accessed if you are using samples from a SD card (Loc: Card).

A velocity range setting (shown as Vel: 000-127) can be set for each of these layers, so that each sample will only trigger when a pad or external trigger is struck with that velocity amount. If multiple layers are set to the same velocity range on a pad or external trigger input, they will both trigger at the same time when the pad or external trigger is struck.

What kind of pedal do I need for the kick and hi-hat inputs?

For the kick input, you can use a momentary, non-latching footswitch (such as a sustain pedal) or a velocity-sensitive pad or kick trigger. Simply connect the kick trigger or footswitch using a ¼” TS cable, and adjust the input to SWITCH if you are using a footswitch, or TRIGGER if you are using a velocity-sensitive pedal or velocity sensitive kick trigger.

For the hi-hat input, you can use a momentary, non-latching footswitch (such as a sustain pedal) or a variable or continuous hi-hat pedal. Simply connect the pedal or footswitch using a ¼” TS cable, and adjust the input to SWITCH if you are using a footswitch, or VARIABLE if you are using a variable or continuous hi-hat pedal.

Can I connect the SampleRack to my computer?

Yes.  The SamplePad Pro comes with a USB port that allows for it to send and receive MIDI data so that you can trigger your favorite drum software program, or it can load samples directly to the SD card. 

Technical Specs

Power: 9V DC, 500mA, center-positive Dimensions(length x width x height): 19.2” x 6.2” x 1.75” Weight: 4 lbs SD Card Specs: Supports SD/SDHC cards up to 32 GB with a FAT32 file system Supported File Type: 16-bit, mono or stereo .WAV files with a sample rate of 48K, 44.1K, 32K, 22.05K, or
025K

Box Contents

SampleRack Power Adapter User Guide Safety & Warranty Manual

Product Features

• 8 dual-zone 1/4″ trigger inputs
• Hi-Hat & Kick Pedal input; selectable switch or trigger mode
• 200+ built-in drum, cymbal, and percussion sounds
• Add new sounds via SD Card (SD Card not included)
• MIDI In and Out ports & USB port for computer connectivity