Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> I'm looking for a Simmons drumset, so I found an AD about an SDS7...
> The price is good and the kit is complete (drum brain with 5 sound
> modules, 5 pads - bassdrum included-, eprom burner, quick selector
> pad). The AD mention a problem with the drum brain: sound memories are
> lost. I asked him about that and he told me there are some
> "rechargeable packs" that must be recharged once in a mounth; these
> packs are used to keep the preset stored in the drum brain...
In mine it was a lithium pack, and it was well flat! Now replaced with
a pair of easily-replaceable AA batteries. Nearly any cool old 80s
synth with patch storage will have a knackered battery by now.
Fortunately, if they haven't leaked and destroyed the PCB then they're
easy to replace. Don't sweat getting the exact right type - as long as
you get either rechargeable or non-rechargeable as appropriate for the
machine, the rest is easy. You'd be amazed how well you can get things
to fit with a wee blob of hot melt glue and some wires...
> my question is: 1)how can I restore the preset drumsets in this sds7?
You get a special memory card that plugs in the back and has all the
factory presets on it, that are then copied to the built-in memory.
Somebody is bound to have one, but I don't know anyone.
> 2)is it worth to buy it as is?
Oh definitely! It's quite easy to program, once you get the hang of it
- just like any 80s synth it has its quirks but you get used to them.
The terms "aesthetics" and "human interface design" and "usability"
hadn't really filtered through to electronics manufacturers by then...
Replacing the battery is easy, because everything is modular. You just
whip off the control panel, slide out the memory board (the one that
∗doesn't∗ have the ribbon cable going to it) and you'll see the battery
right there. If you can solder a jack plug without burning your hands
or melting it into a blob, you can change the battery.
If you don't know the appropriate safety measures to take while doing
this job, find someone who does who can help you. The SDS7 isn't
terribly delicate but it does contain CMOS parts which need a bit of
care, and the double-sided PCBs need to be worked on carefully.
Go for it, and good luck!
Gordon