Got a new alesis sr-16 to take over the job of an aged well used sr-16. The 50 new preset rhythms are all on different drum kits. My old machine has all 50 rhythms on kit#6 which works for me.

Power up while holding play-erase. BUT...when performing a re-initialization, this will erase all existing patterns, songs, and drum assignments. This will not erase the factory preset patterns or kits.

http://community.alesis.com/alesis/topics/sr-16-factory-default-reset-question

According to the Alesis SR16 Frequently Asked Question section: Power On while holding down Erase and Play. http://alesis.com/sr16

Really Quick.
Two problems are unrelated.
Assume older unit.
Needs memory battery,
and new display.

go to the ballad #4 setting you will find a 3/4 beat in a 12 beat time.
This is a preset pattern

The pot is PROBABLY an audio taper so check the suffix on the old one.

Many pots you can find at Digikey.com or Mouser.com.

You MAY have to cut the shaft length

For an exact replacement you will probably have to go to Alesis.

4.7 K is NOT a standard value for pots. 5K ohms is.

Hi.

The SR-16 has 50 preset patterns that are built in, I do not think they can be deleted, if there are no patterns the unit may be defective, even if patterns can be reinstalled using an rmidi file or re-flashing the unit.

To reset an Alesis drum machine you have to hold down both Play and Erase buttons while you power on the machine at the same time.

If that does not work, the presets are held into an rmidi file , the Rmidi file is not available for download. I think it can be purchased contacting Alesis or Rmidi.

I quote from Alesis Rmidi page:

"A rMidi Import/Export File named 'Sr16PresetKits.xml' containing the Sr16 Preset Kits has been installed within the folder named 'Sr16' within the directory in which you installed the rMidi FrameWork software. You can Import these Kits into the rMidi Drums Control if you wish. "


Check if you have the file in the folder.

If not the Sr16 will allows you to export your User Drum patterns, but I do not think you can export factory patterns.

These will USUALLY stop playing if in a song mode that runs so many cycles and terminates.

The random starts CAN be caused if you have a MIDI input cable connected and ANY device sends a rhythm start command or starts sending rhythm clocks to the unit. You can usually disable receiving commands via MIDI and SHOULD do this unless you are actually using MIDI.

Other things would be electrical transients that could trigger the device. MAKE SURE ALL of your equipment that this is connected to is power from the SAME electrical outlet to avoid ground loops which can also damage your equipment as well as cause intermittent operation.

What you need is 2 unlatched switches 1 for the stop start function and one for the drum fill function.
I bought mine from my local music shop for £15 ea

Go to www.Alesis.com, undersupport clickdocuments and downloads.Click drum machines then All. The various drum machine models are then displayed to the right. Under HR-16 for instance you can download the manual in pdf and the presets in sysx. The manual should walk you through the procedure. You will have to replace the internal memory battery. They are easy to replace and cost about five bucks. Good Luck!