Simmons SDS1000

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

Drumcheck

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

A mixer from Simmons? Why not? The application of MIDI control to audio mixers is resulting in a radical departure from traditional designs, as Tony Hastings found out when he road-tested the SPM8:2 recently.

Striking a blow for mallet players, Tim Ponting investigates an instrument that combines the MIDI sophistication of a modern keyboard with the mallet techniques of xylophones and marimbas.

Could you squeeze an eight-channel programmable MIDI mixer into a 1U-high rack-mounting unit? Simmons could, and their endeavours could appeal to all kinds of musicians, as Rick Davies reveals.

Percussion Voice Expander

No space left in the rack for another Simmons module? After testing their latest percussion voice unit, Nick Rowland suggests you buy another rack to make room for it.

Simmons 800 Series electronic drums

Simmons’ budget range of new electronic drums

MIDI Programmable Mixer

A programmable mixer that will find a good home in a home studio.

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?

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.

Simmons SDS9 electronic drum kit

Simmon's new drum kit

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.

Simmons Electronic Drums + Sequencer, Rick Palmer gets switched on

the winner of our Simmons competition

The new Simmons kits, Music 500 winners, UK Electronica '85, and more. Remember, you'll read it here first.

A Yamaha DX7, a Simmons SDS8, a Fender Squier bass plus, plus, plus. Our biggest best competition ever!

"No news is good news", runs the old adage. Well, make up your own mind as Casio and Korg announce new gear at the BMF, Simmons go under, the Soundscape competition winner is announced, and MVs Editor hits the airwaves.

Paul Henderson on the solo Sting's latest thing — a six-piece Jazz band.

We all like to daydream from time to time, so try this: envisage a world in which high technology had become the province of the drummer rather than the keyboard player. Tim Goodyer's imagination runs riot.

Self confessed synth merchant Dave Stewart reveals how to do away with drummers.

M&A K2.7D

M&A's new electronic drum kit