When it comes to drum synths it is pretty much a similar situation as keyboard based synths. It's "horses for courses", that is each particular brand and model has it's own sound and character. I don't like to say "this synth is better than that" etc. The Simmons gear for example has a sound that is it's own, as does Pollard, Synare etc,etc. You'll never get a Synare to sound like an SDSV nor visa versa. I love the SDSV sound as to me it characterizes a lot of the music I grew up with in the early 80's. I can say I actually prefer my Pearl SC40 in terms of versatility and usability, but again it has a sound of it's own. I'm not a drummer but I am a musician who uses electronic instruments to achieve a goal.
To be completely honest, I can produce just about any percussive sounds far better using many of my synths, but they can be a pain. It's also true I could just sample all my gear and trigger them from a lappy or one of my EMU samplers but for me it just isn't the same. I'm currently working at getting a new electronic based band together with the sole intention of doing the "live work" the old school way, lugging heaps of "fragile" old synths etc to each gig. My reason is simple, a great deal of the new generation haven't seen a gig where the stage is crammed with gear. They are more used to going and seeing some "DJ Somebody" standing behind a Laptop screen and twiddling a few midi controller knobs. It's just not the same, it doesn't have the same "spontaneity" as the way it was all once done.
I saw Kraftwerk play way back in 1982. The stage was full of gear in great huge consoles that filled the stage. When I saw it and saw how they interacted with all the gear it just blew me away. I saw them again in 2004, 4 guys standing behind Sony laptops with a midi controller/keyboard and a big screen behind them. Sound wise they were as good as ever, even better. But it just didn't have that same feeling about it.
Sorry for drifting OT..
I'm in one of my "I forgot what I was talking about" moods..lol
Must be old age..=)
--- In Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com, Mark Lemon <humanbeatbox7728@...> wrote:
>
> I hear you ... the problem was they didn't manufacture very many of them. A
> shame really, Joe Pollard was way ahead of his time.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: jabathaslut <warlandr63@...>
> To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thu, January 6, 2011 5:49:42 PM
> Subject: [Simmons Drums] Re: WTB: Non-Simmons Electronic Drums
>
> Â
> Oh man...it's hard enough to find simmons gear in good nick. A working pollard
> in good physical condition is like looking for hens teeth to pull. Those who
> have them are unlikely to part with them unless you can persuade with a large
> cash bundle. Pollard is the grand daddy of the drum synth genre and if you find
> a goody you'll see me standing in line somewhere in front of you...=).
>
>
> A completely different beast to the "simmons sound". For general weird crashes,
> pind, booms etc they are the beez neez.
>
>
> --- In Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com, Mark Lemon <humanbeatbox7728@> wrote:
> >
> > I know, this is a Simmons group but since I have already scored an SDSV kit I
> > need to ask ... does anyone have a Pollard Syndrum rig they would be willing to
> >
> > part with? I am in the process of forming two bands, a Cars tribute band and
> >an
> >
> > 80's retro synth pop cover band and need a Quad to round things out ... again,
> >I
> >
> > realize this is a Simmons forum but have come to learn that a lot of electronic
> >
> > drummers into vintage Simmons drums are also into Syndrums and Synares ... if I
> >
> > am offending anyone by asking please accept my apologies.
> >
> > Thank you kindly,
> >
> > Humanbeatbox7728
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
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> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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