Simmons Drums
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Simmons was a popular electronic drum manufacturer through the early 80's, up through the early 90's. They were known for making the world's first fully electronic drumset. The company closed in 1994. In 2005, Guitar Center acquired the rights to the Simmons trademark and began selling electronic drums under the Simmons name.
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[edit] History
Simmons was started by Dave Simmons around 1978. They created their first popular model, known as the SDSV or SDS-5. This was known to be the world's first fully electronic drumset ever. There were single pads, such as the Pollard Syndrum and the Synare, but they were those "beyyooo" drum synths that were more synthesizers than anything. The SDSV featured the famous hexagonal pads and that "dzzshhh" sound heard in so many songs. It was used by many 80's bands including Duran Duran and Rush. It had an expandable drum module, featuring bass, snare, toms, and cymbals. Even though Simmons made cymbals, many drummers used acoustic cymbals due to the cymbal sounds resembling a trash can lid. The SDSV's biggest downfall was the polycarbonate heads on the pads. Simmons made this surface to be robust and to last long, but it had no rebound and gave drummers a wristache.
[edit] More Models
Simmons then made the SDS-7. It now featured digital sounds, rubber pads, and a sophisocated module. Simmons then made the SDS-8, a cheaper model with no digital sounds. Their next big leap was the SDS-9. This had real-sounding drums, changeable shells, and a new pad surface. The surface had more rebound. It also allowed the use of E-PROMS for the snare, rimshot, and crossstick sounds. It even had a built-in delay effect. The SDS-9 was popular due to its acoustically sampled snare sound. It was indistinguishable from a real kit.
[edit] The SDX
- In 1987, after the SDS-9, Simmons had to decide which direction to take. They were wondering to go with low-price beginner products, or the professional high-class drums. They took the high-class route and came out with the Simmons SDX. It had features unheard of in other electronic drums. Its big feature was zone intelligence. It was the first drumset to ever have it, even though most credit the Roland TD-20 with being the first with it. It also had pad layering, making it possible to have even cymbal swells and buzz rolls. It also had a built-in sampler, floppy disk drive, and a 9" computer screen. It also had new cymbal pads, called the "Symbal". It had a rod that allowed it to sway like a real cymbal.
[edit] The Fall of Simmons
Sales of the SDX were limited due to its high price, at around $10,154. Only about 280 kits were made, of which few remain. In 1990, Simmons released a more affordable kit, the SDS-2000. It had good sounds, but Simmons had already lost many customers. After several failed product launches, they closed their doors in 1994, having lost the eletronic drum market to companies such an Roland and Yamaha. There are still many Simmons drums enthusiats and players; for exmaple, Bill Bruford still played the Simmons SDX long after they closed.
[edit] External links
- The Virtual Simmons Museum
- A Simmons drums fan site
- Another Simmons Drums Site
- A Simmons Drums fan forum
[edit] See also
- Pollard Syndrum
- Electronic Drum
- Video of Simmons SDS8 kit from the musician "The Sexy Electronic Drumming Cowboy". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvF3JxJ9poA
