Alesis CrimsonFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 56 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment54%
PROS 54%
CONS 46%

Rank based on 56 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want realistic acoustic-sized pads and a sturdy rack at a lower price than Roland
  • You plan to use VSTs like EZdrummer or BFD3 rather than rely on onboard sounds
  • You're an apartment or home player wanting a quiet, versatile practice kit

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You play daily/heavily and need long-term durability without frequent repairs
  • You want a dual-zone hi-hat with realistic dynamic sensitivity
  • You expect studio- or gig-ready onboard sounds without a VST

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Alesis Crimson
Strong Value for the PriceGood Trigger Response and CustomizationWorks Well with VSTs for RecordingUnderwhelming Onboard SoundsInconsistent Durability Over TimeDouble-Triggering and Sensor Glitches
Alesis Crimson
Strong Value for the Price
Good Trigger Response and Customization
Works Well with VSTs for Recording
Underwhelming Onboard Sounds
Inconsistent Durability Over Time
Double-Triggering and Sensor Glitches

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Acoustic drummers find the transition rewarding once adjusted. Longtime acoustic players describe an adjustment period of about a week before feeling comfortable, after which many say the Crimson renewed their enjoyment of drumming. They praise the realistic pad sizes compared to Roland's smaller pads, sturdy chrome rack construction when properly set up, and good trigger response once dialed in. Several compare it favorably to Roland TD-11K on feel and size, even if Roland edges it on brain sound quality.

Onboard sounds are hit-or-miss, pushing many toward VSTs. Numerous commenters call the internal module sounds mediocre, overly electronic, or outright bad, particularly toms and overall tone compared to Roland. Others still enjoy the stock kits for practice. A common workaround is routing MIDI into EZdrummer, BFD3, or Addictive Drums II for better realism, with most reporting smooth compatibility, though one user struggled to get hi-hat data working correctly in BFD3.

Long-term reliability is inconsistent across units. While some owners report years of trouble-free use, many others describe snare sensors disconnecting and needing resoldering, tom sensors failing, kick mesh ripping under hard hitting or felt beaters, and hi-hat pedals double-triggering. Cymbal wear appearing within months is also mentioned. Customer support experiences are mixed, with some frustrated by repeated calls and limited replacement parts availability.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?