The Alesis Strata Prime is a superior kit to the Surge Mesh SE, offering an extensive sound library, larger and more realistic pad sizes, and advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity and custom sampling. Naturally, the Alesis Surge Mesh SE, with its built-in learning tools and play-along tracks, is still a solid option for beginners.
Alesis Strata Prime vs Surge Mesh Special Edition Head to Head
When comparing the Alesis Strata Prime to the Surge Mesh Special Edition, the choice between these two sets hinges on the specific needs and aspirations of the drummer, be it the depth of sound customization, the realism of the playing experience, or the requirement for educational features.
Key Differences
The Strata Prime boasts an impressive 1532 sounds, compared to the Surge Mesh SE's 385 sounds. This significant difference in sound variety can greatly influence the versatility and adaptability of the drum set.
The Strata Prime features a full-sized 20-inch kick drum, providing a more realistic feel. The Surge Mesh SE, on the other hand, uses an 8-inch kick tower.
With a 14-inch snare pad, the Strata Prime offers a more expansive playing surface that mirrors the dimensions of a standard acoustic snare. The Surge Mesh SE comes with a 10-inch snare.
The Strata Prime supports Bluetooth connectivity and custom sampling, features that are absent in the Surge Mesh SE.
The Strata Prime also features larger cymbal pads with better triggering technology (triple-trigger) and a larger amount of Tom pads.
The Strata Prime is equipped with the Prime Drum Module, while the Surge Mesh SE uses the Surge Drum Module.
Key Features in Common
Both kits employ mesh for the snare and tom pads, providing a more realistic feel and dynamic response compared to rubber pads.
MIDI-over-USB and MIDI-5-Pin connectivity are available on both sets, facilitating easy integration with DAWs and other MIDI-compatible devices.
The tom pads on both sets are dual-zone, allowing for rim and head sounds, thus offering a more nuanced playing experience.
Lastly, both kits offer metronome and onboard recording capabilities as well as the same number of additional pad/cymbal inputs.
Check out the Strata Prime in action.
And here's a video of the Surge Mesh SE.
Price Comparison Between The Strata Prime and Surge Mesh SE
Use the below to get up-to-date prices for both the Strata Prime and Surge Mesh SE
Hi-Hat
Cymbal Pads
Toms
Drum Module
Snare
Kick
Overview
Verdict
In conclusion, the choice between the Strata Prime and the Surge Mesh SE should be guided by the drummer's skill level, space considerations, and specific feature requirements. The Strata Prime offers a premium experience with its broader range of features and larger pads while the Surge Mesh SE, while more basic in comparison, is a solid choice for beginners.
Matt Taylor