Alesis Strike Kit image


The Alesis Strike kit is the pinnacle of electronic drum kits. Featuring real wooden drums, 14,000 samples and the strongest mesh heads we've ever made. This kit is built for drummers that want the feel of acoustic drums, but the flexibility of electronic. This guide discusses some popular questions about the kit's features and functionality.



Frequently Asked Questions



What is Included with the Strike Kit?

The Strike kit includes:

  • Strike Performance Drum Module
  • 14" dual-zone snare pad
  • 8" dual-zone tom pad
  • 10" dual-zone tom pad
  • 12" dual-zone tom pad
  • 16" triple-zone ride cymbal
  • 14" dual-zone crash cymbal
  • 12" moveable hi-hat cymbals
  • 4-post chrome rack
  • Double-braced Snare Stand
  • Cable snake
  • Cable wraps
  • Drum key
  • Drumsticks
  • Power supply
  • Kit Assembly Guide
  • Strike Software editor (available via download)



Is a hi-hat stand included?

The Alesis Strike kit does not include a stand for the hi-hat cymbals. The hi-hat cymbals and control module are designed to work with any standard a hi-hat stand on the market, which means you can take advantage of the feel and comfort of your own preferred drum hardware. 



Virtually any kick pedal will fit and work with the Strike and Strike Pro kick drum. A foam strip is provided to help fit with some older pedals that may not connect tightly enough.


However, we do recommend using plastic or wood beaters for the best results. Felt beaters can cause early wear and tear to mesh drum heads due to increased friction from the felt. It's recommended to turn any dual-sided beaters around to use only the plastic side, or use beaters made entirely of plastic, wood, or metal. Keep in mind, unlike acoustic drums, the material used in the beater will not have any effect on the sound produced.



What is the difference between the Strike Kit and Strike Pro Kit?

Both kits will function the same, but the Strike Pro Kit includes some additional triggers. The Strike Pro Kit will come with everything listed above plus:

  • 14" dual-zone tom pad
  • (2) additional 14" dual-zone crash cymbals w/ choke (3 total)
  • Additional mounting hardware



What is the size of the kit when fully assembled?

The Strike kit is roughly 52" x 34" x 35" (WxDxH) when fully assembled and is in a trapezoidal shape.



Does it come with any included sounds and content?

Of course! The Strike Performance Drum Module comes complete with 4GB of pre-installed content. That includes 100 kits and over 1600 multi-sampled instruments: a total of 14,000 samples! All samples are brand new for the Strike and Strike Pro kits.



Can I add additional content to the module?

Absolutely! The Strike and Strike Pro kits also include an 8GB SD card for storing extra kits and samples. If you'd like to add your own SD card, the module will support SD cards up to 64GB. We recommend 40mb/s, Class 10 SDHC cards for the best results.



Are all sounds and kits edited directly on the Strike module?

While kits can be created and samples can be edited on the module itself, a software editor will be available for Windows and Mac operating systems for streamlined kit creation and additional editing features, like round robin samples and more.



Are there any settings I'll need to adjust while setting up the kit for the first time?

The Strike and Strike Pro kits come highly optimized right out of the box. This means that virtually anybody can set up the kit and start playing without having to reach for sensitivity, threshold or other settings in the module just to adapt to a personal playing style. Separating the kick, snare, and hi-hats from the main rack also eliminates any crosstalk effects with the other pads, making the setting virtually obsolete.


Optimization settings are still available in the module for fine-tuning if necessary. See the guide below for descriptions of settings and walk through on how to adjust them:

Alesis Strike Pro Kit - Optimizing Trigger Response



Will this work with pads from my other Alesis kits or pads from other companies?

The majority of pads and triggers on the market today will very likely work with the kit, though there will certainly be some that require some setting tweaks and others that may not work at all due to design differences. Most triggers will use the same basic technology and all that would be required to adapt the trigger would be to choose the correct trigger type in the Strike Module (switch or pad) and likely adjust the sensitivity and threshold.

We recommend using the included pads for the kit or other Alesis pads for the most effective response.



Can I record and add my own samples?

Yes, the Strike Module features a sampling mode that will allow you to record and edit audio via the Aux input, directly on the module. Samples are recorded in either stereo or mono at a full 48kHz and can be up to 2 minutes long. An editor will also be released for more sample editing and kit building options.



Can I edit samples on the module?

Yes! A Sample Edit Mode is available that will allow you to trim start and end points, set a quantization grid and loop samples. An editor will also be released for more sample editing and kit building options.



Your favorite sticks will work just fine! Some companies do make sticks designed specifically for electronic drum kits, but while these are great options, they're not necessary. Any wooden or nylon tip sticks in any shape will work just fine.

If you'd like to avoid the wooden sticks getting worn down and catching on the mesh, nylon tipped sticks work great. Keep in mind, unlike acoustic drums, the material used in the sticks and shape of the tip will not have any effect on the sound produced.



How long will it take to switch between kits?

Kit sizes can be up to 200MB. So to avoid long load times, the Strike module will load a single velocity layer for every pad so you can start playing immediately. It will also give priority to the pads currently being played. So, if you're playing the hi-hat while changing kits, the hi-hat samples will load first.



Will I need to re-adjust the fader levels every time I switch kits?

No, the kits will follow the fader levels in real-time, meaning any kit that you load will match the volume levels currently set by the faders. This way, you don't have to keep adjusting the faders to mix every kit.



How do I save my personalized user kits?

Easy! When you're ready to save your kit, press the KIT button and then press SAVE. In the page that appears, use F1, F2, and the data dial to name your kit and press F3 to save your changes. That's it!



Can I back up or delete my user kits?

User kits and samples can be backed up and/or deleted, simply by plugging the SD card into your computer. Remove the SD card from the module and insert it into a card reader or SD card slot on your computer. You'll find folders for Instruments, Kits, Loops, and Samples that store your user data. Drag any content in these folders to a folder on your internal drive for backup or delete the files to remove them from the card and free-up space.



Are there any internal effects like reverb or compression?

Yes, each kit will have its own compression and EQ. There are also sends for every voice for reverb.



What is the knob on the side of the snare and tom drums?

That knob will determine the sensitivity focus across the pad. In other words, turning the knob clockwise will make the pad more sensitive in the center and less sensitive around the edges. Turning the knob counter-clockwise will make the pad more sensitive around the edges. There is an indent in the center to set the knob to default. The sensitivity setting in the module will still adjust the sensitivity for the pad overall.



Does the Strike Kit support double-kick pedals?

Yes, it is compatible with double-kick pedals. If using dual-beaters, try to keep both beaters as close to the center of the drum as possible. If they are spread out and closer to the edges, the response may not be as strong.



Can I use the kit to trigger drum software on my computer?

Yes! The module will translate and send MIDI data from your pads over USB to trigger your favorite drum software in your favorite DAW. The module is class-compliant with Mac and Windows, so no drivers will be necessary. MIDI assignments can be saved per kit so you can save your favorite configurations and recall them easily.



What is crosstalk and do I need to do anything to prevent it?

Crosstalk is the vibration from one pad causing a second pad to trigger. For example, striking the Ride cymbal causing Tom 3 to trigger without being hit. Inversely, crosstalk could also cause a trigger to be ignored, such as striking both the Ride and Tom 3 at the same time, but only the Ride is triggered. The vibration of one pad can be enough to cause sympathetic vibrations in another; setting off the trigger and causing the pad to sound inadvertently.

The Strike Module has been fully optimized to prevent crosstalk, but there are occasions when it could be triggered depending on how the kit is assembled. Here are some tips:

  • Make sure that none of the pads, cymbals, or clamps are touching each other.
  • Avoid wrapping cables around the rack.
  • Setting up the kit on a rug or carpeted surface can help. Hard surfaces are more prone to transfer vibrations.
  • Tighten the wing nuts on the cymbals so that the cymbals can move but won't swing or bounce. If a cymbal is bouncing and will cause more vibration, but if a cymbal is too stiff, the strike will transfer directly to the rack and the other pads.
  • If hitting one pad causes others to sound, increase the Xtalk Send setting for that pad.
  • If one trigger seems especially prone to crosstalk when striking other pads, increase Xtalk Receive setting for that pad.



Do I need to update the firmware update on my module?

Firmware v1.1 was released to further optimize trigger settings and fix a few minor bugs. If you have not updated your Strike module, see our guide below for instructions on checking your firmware version and updating the module.



My hi-hat is either triggering randomly or missing hits. Am I setting this up correctly?

Because of the variety of hi-hat pedals and stands that can be used with the Strike kit, hi-hat setup may require a little more optimization to get it responding perfectly with each kit. For a detailed walkthrough on hi-hat setup and optimization see our optimization guide below:


Alesis Strike Pro Kit - Hi-Hat Hardware Setup and Trigger Optimization