Q: How to adjust the sensitivity of the pads?

To adjust the sensitivity of the pads on your ALESIS DM10 MKII Pro Kit , access the Trigger menu by pressing the Trigger button on the control panel. Available Settings Head Sensitivity - Adjusts the sensitivity of the center of the pad. Higher values require more force to produce softer sounds. Rim Sensitivity - Adjusts the sensitivity of the rim of the pad in the same way. Threshold - Sets the minimum force required to trigger a sound. Curve - Configures the dynamic sensitivity curve, establishing the relationship between the strike force and the volume level. Procedure Access the Trigger menu by pressing the corresponding button Use the Up/Down buttons to navigate between sensitivity settings Turn the control knob (Wheel) to modify the values Press F3-Save to save your changes Important: without pressing F3-Save, your changes will be lost when the device is turned off.

Question 1

I am not receiving any sound in my headphones connected to the auxiliary input and I have no visual feedback on the panel when I hit a pad

Accepted Answer

You are experiencing two issues that may be related but require separate diagnostics. The lack of visual feedback (LED) when you hit a pad is the most critical issue, as it indicates that the module is not detecting your pads. The absence of sound in the headphones may be a direct consequence of this problem or a separate audio issue.

First, check the pad detection (LED). The Alesis EDrum Total receives signals from each pad via the multicore cable connected to the back of the module. Ensure that the multi-pin connector at the back of the module is properly plugged in and secured. If this connection is loose or disconnected, the module will not detect any pad and no LED will light up when you hit. Completely unplug this multicore cable, inspect the contacts to ensure they are not dirty or oxidized, and then plug it back in firmly. You should hear a crisp click when reconnecting.

Next, check each individual pad cable. Each pad connects to the multicore cable via a 6.35 mm jack connector. Carefully unplug and replug each pad cable (one by one), starting with the kick or tom for testing. When you reconnect a cable, you should hear a small click. Hit that pad and see if a LED lights up on the top panel of the module. If only one pad has visual feedback, this confirms that the other cables are faulty. Also test the pedals (hi-hat and kick) in the same way.

Next, check the overall volume of the module. Even if the pads are detected (LED on), you will not hear anything without volume. Press the Volume button (the large round knob) on the top panel and turn it to the right to increase the volume. Raise it to at least halfway. If the volume is set to minimum, no sound will come from the headphones, even if the module is functioning normally.

For audio output to the headphones, use the 3.5 mm stereo jack connector labeled “Phones Output” on the back panel. Ensure that your headphones are properly connected and that they work on another device. The headphone volume is adjusted with the same Volume knob as the main output. The auxiliary input (Aux In, also 3.5 mm stereo) is meant to receive sound from another device (phone, CD player), not to send it.

If after checking all the cables and increasing the volume, no pad shows a visual LED feedback, one or more pad cables or connectors are likely faulty and will need to be replaced. Contact Alesis support (alesis.com/support) for replacement cables or spare parts.

Question 2

No sound is coming from the EDrum Total pads even though the metronome and panel are working correctly

Accepted Answer

If the metronome and control panel are responding correctly but no sound is coming from the pads, the issue is likely with the audio setup or connections. Here’s how to diagnose:

1. Check the headphone output first

Connect headphones to the 3.5 mm headphone jack at the back of the module. Turn up the Volume knob at the top of the panel and hit the pads. If you hear sound in the headphones, the module is working - the issue is with the speaker connection.

2. Check the speaker connections

Ensure that the Main Outputs (6.35 mm mono connectors at the back) are fully plugged in
Check that the other end of the cables is connected to an active (powered) speaker or amplifier, and that it is turned on
Try swapping the two output cables to rule out a faulty cable

3. Check the multipin cable of the pads

You mentioned tightening the multipin cable - that’s good. But also make sure that the connectors are fully inserted into the back panel of the module. An incomplete contact prevents the pad signals from reaching the module.

4. Reset if necessary

If everything is connected properly but there is still no sound from the speakers, try completely powering off the module (hold the Power button for 2 seconds) and then turn it back on. This sometimes resets the output detection.

Diagnostic summary: Sound in headphones OK = speaker cable issue. No sound anywhere = check the multipin cable or contact Alesis support.

Question 3

How to eliminate ground loop buzzing on Alesis Elevate 3 MKII?

Accepted Answer

Ground loop buzzing occurs when two different ground paths exist in your audio chain, creating interference. On your Alesis Elevate 3 MKII, this issue is usually resolved by checking and optimizing your wiring.

Checking power and ground connections: Ensure that both Elevate 3 MKII speakers and all connected devices (audio interface, mixer, player) are plugged into the same electrical circuit or power strip. Connections to different circuits increase the risk of ground loop. Also, check that the AC power cable of each speaker is properly inserted into the power connector on the back panel.

Optimizing audio wiring: The Elevate 3 MKII uses RCA inputs for external audio sources. Replace the supplied RCA-to-3.5 mm cable with a high-quality shielded audio cable (poor quality cables have insufficient shielding). Keep all audio cables away from power cables and electromagnetic sources (transformers, motors). Also, check that the 3.5 mm interconnect cable connecting your two speakers is in good condition.

Diagnosing and isolating the problem: Unplug the audio input cables one by one to identify which equipment is causing the buzzing. If the noise disappears when unplugging a source, the problem originates from there. Also, test with one source at a time rather than multiple devices connected simultaneously.

Adjusting levels and settings: Lower the overall volume of the Elevate 3 MKII by turning the Vol/Power knob and set the input levels lower on your audio source. This minimizes the perceptible buzzing. Test different positions of the Bass Boost switch (2 positions) on the back panel to see if it influences the noise.

Advanced solutions: If the previous solutions do not work, use an audio isolator or isolation transformer (specialized black box) between your audio source and the RCA inputs of the Elevate 3 MKII. This solution completely breaks the ground loop. You can also consult Alesis support at alesis.com/support for additional advice specific to your setup.

Question 4

How to adjust the sensitivity of the pads?

Accepted Answer

To adjust the sensitivity of the pads on your ALESIS DM10 MKII Pro Kit, access the Trigger menu by pressing the Trigger button on the control panel.

Available Settings

Head Sensitivity - Adjusts the sensitivity of the center of the pad. Higher values require more force to produce softer sounds.
Rim Sensitivity - Adjusts the sensitivity of the rim of the pad in the same way.
Threshold - Sets the minimum force required to trigger a sound.
Curve - Configures the dynamic sensitivity curve, establishing the relationship between the strike force and the volume level.

Procedure

Access the Trigger menu by pressing the corresponding button
Use the Up/Down buttons to navigate between sensitivity settings
Turn the control knob (Wheel) to modify the values
Press F3-Save to save your changes

Important: without pressing F3-Save, your changes will be lost when the device is turned off.

Question 5

How to solve the issue of the ALESIS PHOTONX25 MIDI keyboard not being recognized by a computer?

Accepted Answer

If your MIDI keyboard ALESIS PHOTONX25 is not recognized by your computer, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Correct USB cable connection: Connect the PHOTONX25 directly to a USB port on your computer, never through a USB hub or another intermediary device, as these devices can interfere with the MIDI and audio synchronization signals from the keyboard.
Testing another USB port: Try plugging the cable into another USB port on your computer to rule out a faulty port issue.
Checking the USB cable: Test with another standard USB cable if possible to confirm that the cable is not damaged.

Complete restart of the computer: Completely turn off your computer by shutting it down, then turn it back on. This procedure is important as it properly resets USB devices. A simple restart via the 'Restart' option is not sufficient.

Installing and updating drivers: Go to the official website www.Alesis.com, check the Support or Downloads section, and see if there are any drivers or updates available for the PHOTONX25. Download the drivers compatible with your operating system (Windows or macOS) and install them. Restart your computer after installation.

Software configuration: Once the keyboard is connected and recognized by your computer, open your music application or sequencer (DAW). In the MIDI settings of the application, check that the PHOTONX25 is listed and selected as the active MIDI source. The keyboard may be identified as 'Photon' or 'USB Audio Device' depending on your software.

The PHOTONX25 is compatible with Windows XP or later and macOS X or later. It connects directly via plug-and-play USB, without requiring complex installation in most cases. If the problem persists after following these steps, check the Alesis website for the latest compatibility information with your operating system.

Question 6

How to activate and adjust the swing mode on the ALESIS SR18 electronic drum kit?

Accepted Answer

The swing mode on the ALESIS SR18 adds a rhythmic offset effect to make grooves more natural and dynamic. Here’s how to activate and adjust this mode:

Steps to activate the swing mode on the ALESIS SR18

Power on the device: Make sure your SR18 is turned on.
Access edit mode: Press the EDIT button to enter programming mode.
Select the swing parameter: Use the navigation buttons to scroll through the options until you find SWING or SWING AMOUNT.
Adjust the swing level: Change the value using the adjustment buttons to set the intensity of the swing to your preference. A higher value accentuates the rhythmic offset.
Save the settings: If necessary, confirm and save your changes to keep them.
Test the result: Play a rhythm to hear the effect of the applied swing.

The swing mode is a powerful tool for customizing your patterns and adding groove to your compositions. Feel free to experiment with different levels to find the one that best suits your musical style.

Question 7

How to adjust the pitch on the ALESIS SR18 electronic drum kit?

Accepted Answer

On the ALESIS SR18 electronic drum kit, adjusting the pitch of each sound is done directly through the Drum Set menu. This allows you to modify the tone of each pad to suit your musical style or mix.

Here is the complete procedure to adjust the tuning of a sound:

Access the Drum Set menu: Press the DRUM SET button to open the configuration options for the drum sound set.
Select a set: Use the INC/DEC buttons, the VALUE knob, or the numbered buttons to select the set (00 to 99) containing the sounds to modify.
Hit the pad to modify: Hit the pad whose pitch you want to adjust (for example, the snare or bass drum pad).
Access the parameter pages: Press the PAGE UP button to view other adjustment pages. The tuning is among the available parameters (along with volume and pan).
Adjust the tuning: Use the INC/DEC buttons, the VALUE knob, or the numbered buttons to increase or decrease the pitch of the selected pad.
Check the result: Hit the pad to listen to the new pitch and continue adjusting until you achieve the desired tone.
Modify other pads: To adjust other pads, simply hit another pad and repeat the adjustment process.
Save the set: Once satisfied with the changes, press and hold the SAVE button. Use the INC/DEC buttons or the VALUE knob to select a destination location, then press REC to save the modified set. Then exit the Drum Set menu by pressing DRUM SET.

Important: if you modify a Preset set, only copying that set as a user set (USER) will allow you to save it. Factory sets (Preset) cannot be directly overwritten. Also note that drum and percussion sounds are grouped together, so modifying the drum sounds of a set will also affect the associated percussion sounds, unless individual pads are replaced.

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