Are you using the Aux input(s) on your Alesis Strata Prime while connecting from your computer's headphone output or another source devices stereo output signal and getting "distorted" or "hollow sounding" audio from your Strata Prime's drum module? If so, this guide will cover likely scenario(s) and recommended solution.


The Aux inputs on the rear panel of the Strata Prime module are 1/4" TRS connections. These 1/4" TRS inputs are balanced mono connections.



So, what does that mean when using an 1/8" (3.5mm) Stereo headphone output from a computer and/or mobile device?


It means that you will need to split this 1/8" (3.5mm) Stereo signal into Left and Right 1/4 TS connections in order to get a proper signal into your Strata Prime. If you try to go from 1/8" Stereo to the 1/4" TRS Mono input you will get distortion caused by what is called "phasing" which occurs when the stereo signal tries to combine improperly at the mono input.



We can recommend using an 1/8" (3.5mm) Stereo to dual 1/4" TS cable (as in picture above) for the best connection in this case. Set your computer/device headphone output volume as loud as possible without distorting the device and then adjust the Aux input level on your Strata Prime.