Michael, who currently lies at a beach in Thailand having problems to log in to the Simmons newsgroup with his cell phone (yes! This is the truth!) just asked me, currently working hard, very short of time, hungry and overworked, to post this message in his name:
I don't know if you can imagine what big work it will be reproducing an SDSV in full effect. I cloned the SDS3 and it took me nearly 2 years, still not ready in every detail, but working perfect. My first serious recommendation: Leave the sound-producing circuit AS IS, don't change a single component. For example a Fender Stratocaster is a catastrophal construction and full of faults and compromises. But it is one of the most famous guitars on earth. And nobody would seriously think f.e. about glueing the neck to the body or replace the single-coil pickups by humbuckers. The DC thump on the SDSVs 3080 VCA circuits CAN be removed (Thierry EPPHERRE told me how, I didn't forget). But exactly this "popp" is important for the SDSV's power and is also a difference between the roaring SDSV and the softer Tama/Pearl.
Leave the SSM2044 AS IS. You can get plenty of these as re-issues from Hongkong (Harry Hu, Allpartspipe,HongkongSuperSeller a.s.o.). They sound exactly like the originals (Thierry, did you try the ones I sent you?) They cost around 7Euro each; I think, this is fair. A filter is the most important character of a synthesizer. The Moog ladder filter on the Minimoog was distorting, because its input could be overdriven, a FAULT, as you can see, but this made its sound. For me, the SSM2044 has a slightly "coffing" sound which is unique. Also the resonance (on the snare module) is very outstanding, very much different as on other layouts.
What could be made better on an SDSVs clone? Yes, as said before, the signal mix section: I would like to have 3 volume controls like noise, tone and click instead of the two balance pots. I would love a BIG knob or fader as volume control directly under each channel strip to have FAST access while playing live. By the way: The tiny controls and the 3 unit 19'' case were not very positive for live stting up and -playing in the past, I would prefer a more mixer-type housing like the SDS8 or Roland/Yamaha stuff. And I would prefer every control BIG.
I would like to have the factory preset accessable from outside as a third row of trimmers. And I would change the sequencer input voltage to 1V.
As nobody wants to play the SDSV with the old riot shield hard plastic pads today, another input and discriminating circuitry has to be constructed to produce the needle-sharp hard click also with modern mesh-head pads. I was successful to construct this on my SDS3 clone, and the dynamic range could be improved too.
Finally, I would like to have more channels than seven. A modifyed output section: If a single-out is used, the signal has to be cut away from the mix-out. So it is possible to wire f.e.: bass-snare-all other. No l/r, for me this was pure nonsense and I never used it. No XLRs anymore, jacks are cheaper and easier to wire (no pin-questions anymore...). The power switch should be on the front panel.
Something else: The original SDSV boards contain some "hidden" secrets. I think, they planned some other modules like swirling effects, bell-type stuff a.s.o. I examined, what happens if you apply some "missing" parts onto the boards. The ringmodulation on the analogue hihat is one thing, modulation of the VCO with noise another. There is a possibility to modulate the filter with the LFO. Perhaps a universal module should be created, with all these features?
--- In Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com, "jabathaslut" <warlandr@...> wrote:
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> Hi guys,
> I'm in the process of a rather large project and I need a really big favour from an owner of an SDSV and an Analog Claptrap. I have sets of fairly good schematics for these units including the elusive hihat and cymbal modules. I have always wanted these units but due to age and miss handling most available are in pretty poor nic. The affordable ones anyway. I am in the process of developing and building a completely authentic but modernized version of the SDSV. I want to include the clap trap as an additional module as well. As with the original it will be modular in design but will be fully programmable with the ability to save patches and sets. There will be options for manual knobs sets if people want a simplified version. The whole lot will be based on the eurorack format. My ask is a biggy. Can an owner of an original SDSV and analog Claptrap open their units up and take clear and detailed photos of the internals, PCB etc. I will be setting up a web site to document the project so all info will be posted up as the job moves along. I need the detailed photos so as to check the correctness of my available schematics. The SDSV used the SSM2044 for its filter, these are available but the supply is dwindling so a discrete replication is being worked on. All help will be appreciated.
> My email is warlandr@... if u can send any pics. Thanks
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