Simmons SDS7 and SDS8

In a special report, Ultravox drummer Warren Cann takes a look at two new electronic drum-kits from Simmons - the people who started it all. One is a straight forward 'Simmons-sound-on-a-budget' model, the other a sophisticated modular system employing both analogue and digital sound-generation, as well as versatile user-programmability.

Win a wonderful SDS8

Electronic Drum Kit

DrumCheck

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

the drumiest sampler, etc, etc?

DrumCheck

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

DrumCheck

Bob Henrit tries out the latest in a flurry of products from Simmons — a MIDI'ed sampled percussion expander

DrumCheck

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

Dedicated percussion sequencer

AmpCheck

A drum amp with a Symbol channel. Bob Henrit logs another innovation from Simmons

kits, rim shots, playing surfaces

Drumcheck

Bob Henrit models the modules of the separated Simmons

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.

RhythmCheck

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

More beats per pound

Simmons

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.

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.

Worth its weight in microphones and Gaffa tape.

'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.