Simmons SDS1000

Simmons successor to the SDS800 combines the best of analogue and sampling technology. Nigel Lord approves.

the drumiest sampler, etc, etc?

RhythmCheck

Future perfect and future possibilities. Bob Henrit on Simmons' new trigger unit

'Can you benefit from something that doesn't make a noise?' asks Paul Gilby in his in-depth review of this interesting MIDI trigger device from the pioneers of the electronic drum. It might not generate sounds of its own but this unit certainly makes possible some marvellous effects when MIDI'd up to synthesizers. Check it out.

Simmons' reply to Roland's popular Octapad comes complete with built-in sequencer, but is it a match for the Octapad II? Nicholas Rowland checks out the rhythm competition.

DrumCheck

Bob Henrit encounters the latest black box from Uncle Dave — a dedicated drum voice expander for electronic drum kits

Percussion Voice Expander

Nick Rowland takes sticks to Simmons pads - and finds a whole load of tuned percussion sounds appearing at the other end. Will drummers start putting xylophonists out of work?

Simmons Electronic Drums + Sequencer, Rick Palmer gets switched on

If the sound of your kid sister hitting a biscuit-tin lid is your idea of what a snare drum should sound like, Simmons' new EPROM blower should make your sampling dreams come true. Paul White reports.

A single electronic pad with a handful of controls and an IC socket underneath it. It doesn't look like a recipe for tremendous excitement, but Paul White finds that there's more to the SDS1 than meets the eye.

DrumCheck

The black cat widdles in the white cat's eye: Bob Henrit explains

Electronic Drum Kit

Dedicated percussion sequencer

Drumcheck

Bob Henrit models the modules of the separated Simmons

kits, rim shots, playing surfaces

Worth its weight in microphones and Gaffa tape.

Drumcheck

Could this be the ultimate electronic kit? Bob Henrit thinks so

Electronic Percussion System

The company that pioneered the electronic drum kit bring us the next generation of electronic percussion. Nicholas Rowland investigates Zone Intelligence and tracker balls.

More beats per pound

DrumCheck

Yet more MIDI manipulation, as Bob Henrit explores this trigger to MIDI converter

The people who invented the electronic drum introduce MIDI — and a decidedly acoustic sound - with the advent of a new kit, the SDS9. Nigel Lord gives his verdict.

Simmons SDX Drum Sampler

Lurking inside this angular-looking monster is a versatile computer system that will turn what is ostensibly an electronic drum kit (albeit a state-of-the-art 16-bit sampling one) into a formidable MIDI workstation. Ed Jones test drives Simmons' powerful, new SDX system.