Vintage Simmons Drums (UK) Users Group

richard:
> I have the SDSV system and there seems to be two problems.The first one is
> that one of the tom-toms. When I turn on the unit, it  beats a  loud 
> tom-tom
> one time then it  beats  repeatedly by itself .

At the same interval or randomly?

> I turn  down the volume so I
> don't  have to hear it . The second thing is my  snare has lost it's snare 
> sound.

Do you mean the noise or the entire audio out?

> I know it has to do with the little holes near  the knobs for that 
> channel.
> Does anyone know how to set the little holes to get  the snare sound.

These "holes" are preset trimmers for the settings when you choose memory 
position 3 and 4 and hasn't anything to do with live tweaking on channel 
2...

> Right now
> it's more of a tom sound.When I had it serviced at  the music store he 
> said
> all is well but I don't think he knew what he was doing,  all he said was 
> that
> there was power to all.

My guess is that the noise circuit is dead then if it sounds like a tom. The 
snare card _is_ basically a tom with noise settings added...

> I tried using a small screwdriver  and adjust the
> holes next to some knobs and it did change the sound. I think the  repair 
> man
> messed with them but I have no proof. I do know it worked fantastic 
> before I put
> it away years ago.

Choose channel two and fiddle with the knobs instead - it's the same thing 
and you might find out if there is any noise source left... Unless the 
stupid tech fiddled on the circuit board and believed it to be unwanted 
noise, but I don't think anyone is _that_ stupid?!

> If any of you experts can help me I would be
> appreciated.Last of all ,I am an electronics dummy so put it into words I 
> can understand.

Same here, but since noone else answered... ;)

> My expertise is everything to do with construction and That  means 
> everything.
> I will be able to follow any instructions to the letter   so give it your 
> best
> shot. Who ever gives me the right info for the corrections  I will let the
> list know so they get bragging rights  to  the rest of  you. I'm mostly
> interested in the snare unit because two tom work, not the  third

My best guesses then are a dead noise circuit on the snare card (shouldn't 
be a big thing for a tech _with_ knowledge. Regarding the tom it might just 
be bad contacts (if random tom sounds are heard) or a leaking current (if 
it's more "rhythmical").

>                                         Thank you list And I hope all have 
> a
> Merry Christmas Or whatever you  celebrate during this time of year. 
> Richard

Bah! That reminds me to get something nice for my wife... ;) And a SDS-III 
for myself if I could just find one!

electronically yours, jesper
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www.electronic-obsession.se

My system beats like a slow machine gun . same speed, same intervals ,same  
loudness.
I turn down the volume only for the repeating tom. Not the entire unit  Every 
channel has it's own little adjustment holes, The snare just doesn't sound  
snare anymore. I assume you are talking about the 4 square buttons that are on  
each channel. Not # 3, 4, channel.What do I have to do to get back my snare  
sound? When you say use channel 2, do you  mean square button 2 or the next  
channel ?. That would mean I am now on # 3 channel , the repeating  tom.tom . 
My problem here is no one knows anything about the Simmons. Any  one out there 
who knows an expert  that can work on the SDSV in the U S A  let me know. I 
would like it repaired correctly. Than if my grand daughter  looses  interest in 
the drums, I will probably get rid of it to one of  you Simmons members who 
would appreciate it more than just a drum unit that is  added to their regular 
drum system. .
                                             
Rick


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi again Richard!

> My system beats like a slow machine gun . same speed, same intervals ,same
> loudness.

OK, that sorted... I'll have to give this to the techies on the list, but it 
sure sounds like some current is leaking through re-trigging the sound.

> I turn down the volume only for the repeating tom. Not the entire unit 
> Every
> channel has it's own little adjustment holes, The snare just doesn't sound
> snare anymore.

The SDS-V works like this;

channel 1 (yes, black button, top left) are factory presets that you can 
only wreck or alter by messing on the board itself.
channel 2 (top right) are user tweakable from the knobs - this is the normal 
way of using the SDS-V if you ask me...
channel 3 & 4 are identical with channel 2 except you tweak them with a 
screwdriver through the holes you mention. Top hole is noise, second hole 
tone etc. Just as the knobs on channel 2.

> I assume you are talking about the 4 square buttons that are on
> each channel. Not # 3, 4, channel.What do I have to do to get back my 
> snare
> sound? When you say use channel 2, do you  mean square button 2 or the 
> next
> channel ?.

So if you press top left square, is the snare sounding like a snare? If so 
there shoudln't be any problems with the noise circuitry.

> That would mean I am now on # 3 channel , the repeating  tom.tom .

bottom left square is causing the repeating tom-tom-tom-tom? Then it must be 
something wrong with just that one... weird indeed! But does that mean that 
1, 2 and 4 behaves like they should?

> My problem here is no one knows anything about the Simmons. Any  one out 
> there
> who knows an expert  that can work on the SDSV in the U S A  let me know. 
> I
> would like it repaired correctly. Than if my grand daughter  looses 
> interest in
> the drums, I will probably get rid of it to one of  you Simmons members 
> who
> would appreciate it more than just a drum unit that is  added to their 
> regular
> drum system. .

To be honest I think that either you could find someone who easily fixes it 
if you know someone or you're forced to turn to a pro-tech and that will 
probably cost more than a decent digital set if it's just used for your 
grand daughter.

Which is your sound card setup? Bass, Snare and three Toms + two blank 
panels and a mixer section? Or, if there are more I bet you can find a buyer 
on this list interested in Cymbal and Hihat modules!

electronically yours, jesper - trying to help... but as a synthesist and not 
a drummer it's harder ;)
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