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Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-25 by <rogerclack@...>

Hi All,


I have just joined the Simmons group in the hope of learning more about, what I have always felt are the best looking drums on the planet!


Superb design, I love the sound (being a kid from the 80's) and I am now in a position to 'hopefully' invest in a good set which I want to play.


I have not seen any kits for sale on the board here, but I have seen some superb pictures of all your kits and wondered if anyone might be willing to part with something.


I have been scanning ebay for ages now and cannot find any good kits for sale which don't need a lot of work.


I have a seven year old son who loves the sound of Simmons, always trying to pick out the drum sound on the telly, (no we don't watch Eastenders)


I used to drum myself in the 80's and could never afford a set of Simmonds, I gave up drumming when I started my own business. Now I have the space and a seven year old who wants to learn the drums with me, I feel it is time to search for something I can take care of and he can play.


I love the SDS9 and SDSV, the yellow set on the photo pages is beautiful ;o)


Thanks All


Nick Clack



Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-27 by Nick Zampiello

Welcome!  i love the simmons and still use them every day in the studio!

awesome fun!
 
NEW ALLIANCE EAST!!!!

--------------------------------------

New Alliance East - Mastering
New Alliance East - Facebook

X :::: B :::: S
On Sunday, April 27, 2014 12:04 PM, "rogerclack@..." <rogerclack@...> wrote:
 
  
Hi All,

I have just joined the Simmons group in the hope of learning more about, what I have always felt are the best looking drums on the planet!

Superb design, I love the sound (being a kid from the 80's) and I am now in a position to 'hopefully' invest in a good set which I want to play.

I have not seen any kits for sale on the board here, but I have seen some superb pictures of all your kits and wondered if anyone might be willing to part with something.

I have been scanning ebay for ages now and cannot find any good kits for sale which don't need a lot of work.

I have a seven year old son who loves the sound of Simmons, always trying to pick out the drum sound on the telly, (no we don't watch Eastenders)

I used to drum myself in the 80's and could never afford a set of Simmonds, I gave up drumming when I started my own business. Now I have the space and a seven year old who wants to learn the drums with me, I feel it is time to search for something I can take care of and he can play.

I love the SDS9 and SDSV, the yellow set on the photo pages is beautiful ;o)

Thanks All

Nick Clack

Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-27 by Michael Buchner

Hello Nick,

if you like the shape and look of the Simmons Drums, I would recommend to buy only some hexagon pads and use a modern, new controller like a Roland (yes, folks, hate me for this sentence, but read on). You cannot buy one of these old boxes and expect to plug and play. And you have a child who wants to learn drums.
It is like to learn how to drive a car: I wouldn't recommend to start with an old MG or something. Most of the time you have problems with these old boxes, starting with the wiring. You should be a little experienced in the old technology, these beasts were the roots of electronic drums back in the days and today they are only something for real nerds.
A good combination is the Nord Drum with some old hex pads. You have to remove the resistor (inside the pad), then it feels and sounds like a Simmons, but is reliable, has a memory and is easy to handle. I play this while LOOKING on my fully equipped V.

Best

Michael
Show quoted textHide quoted text
---- Original Message ----- 
  From: rogerclack@... 
  To: Simmons_Drums@...m 
  Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 3:12 PM
  Subject: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit


    

  Hi All,




  I have just joined the Simmons group in the hope of learning more about, what I have always felt are the best looking drums on the planet!




  Superb design, I love the sound (being a kid from the 80's) and I am now in a position to 'hopefully' invest in a good set which I want to play.




  I have not seen any kits for sale on the board here, but I have seen some superb pictures of all your kits and wondered if anyone might be willing to part with something.




  I have been scanning ebay for ages now and cannot find any good kits for sale which don't need a lot of work.




  I have a seven year old son who loves the sound of Simmons, always trying to pick out the drum sound on the telly, (no we don't watch Eastenders)




  I used to drum myself in the 80's and could never afford a set of Simmonds, I gave up drumming when I started my own business. Now I have the space and a seven year old who wants to learn the drums with me, I feel it is time to search for something I can take care of and he can play.




  I love the SDS9 and SDSV, the yellow set on the photo pages is beautiful ;o)




  Thanks All




  Nick Clack

Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-27 by Nick Zampiello

why not an sds800  or sds1000?

they are pretty much plug and play...
 
NEW ALLIANCE EAST!!!!

--------------------------------------

New Alliance East - Mastering
New Alliance East - Facebook

X :::: B :::: S
On Sunday, April 27, 2014 12:27 PM, Michael Buchner <buchnerelectronics@...> wrote:
 
  
 
Hello Nick,
 
if you like the shape and look of the Simmons Drums, I 
would recommend to buy only some hexagon pads and use a modern, new controller 
like a Roland (yes, folks, hate me for this sentence, but read on). You cannot 
buy one of these old boxes and expect to plug and play. And you have a child who 
wants to learn drums.
It is like to learn how to drive a car: I wouldn't 
recommend to start with an old MG or something. Most of the time you have 
problems with these old boxes, starting with the wiring. You should be a little 
experienced in the old technology, these beasts were the roots of electronic 
drums back in the days and today they are only something for real 
nerds.
A good combination is the Nord Drum with some old hex 
pads. You have to remove the resistor (inside the pad), then it feels and sounds 
like a Simmons, but is reliable, has a memory and is easy to handle. I play this 
while LOOKING on my fully equipped V.
 
Best
 
Michael
 
 
---- Original Message ----- 
From: rogerclack@... 
>To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com 
>Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 3:12 
PM
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>Subject: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join  the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit
>
>  
>Hi All,
>
>
>I have just joined the Simmons group in the hope of learning more  about, what I have always felt are the best looking drums on the  planet!
>
>
>Superb design, I love the sound (being a kid from the 80's) and I am  now in a position to 'hopefully' invest in a good set which I want to  play.
>
>
>I have not seen any kits for sale on the board here, but I have seen  some superb pictures of all your kits and wondered if anyone might be willing  to part with something.
>
>
>I have been scanning ebay for ages now and cannot find any good kits  for sale which don't need a lot of work.
>
>
>I have a seven year old son who loves the sound of Simmons, always  trying to pick out the drum sound on the telly, (no we don't watch  Eastenders)
>
>
>I used to drum myself in the 80's and could never afford a set of  Simmonds, I gave up drumming when I started my own business. Now I have the  space and a seven year old who wants to learn the drums with me, I feel it is  time to search for something I can take care of and he can play.
>
>
>I love the SDS9 and SDSV, the yellow set on the photo pages is  beautiful ;o)
>
>
>Thanks All
>
>
>Nick Clack
>
>
>
>

Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-27 by <edrose1@...>

Hello and welcome, Nick.

I agree with Michael. If look is your main concern, go with vintage pads and a modern module.

Vintage Simmons stuff is flaky and I cross my fingers every time I power up anything with a Simmons logo. While their innovations always led the pack, their designs were occasionally sloppy and prone to failure. If you're good with a soldering iron and multimeter you might really enjoy it. If not, you could end up financing your tech's new pool. Additionally, the manuals are poorly written and use a lot of proprietary lingo making simple concepts confusing. So, there's the 'Why not to buy Simmons stuff.' :)

But, if you really want that classic 'Simmons Sound' the SDSV is the ticket. SDS9 lacks the balls and the bass drum is frustratingly limited. You might also consider SDS7 - similar to SDSV with added digital sound generation, modulation and resonance - or SDS8 - similar to SDSV but only 1 preset. But, again, go this route only if vintage sound generation is a must and samples just won't do.

And, yes, they do make sense as an investment given how their prices have skyrocketed over the last few years. But only if you keep them maintained. See above.

Good luck!


Re: Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-28 by <rogerclack@...>

Thank you both for the replies.

I am pretty handy with a soldering iron, having had to work on my vintage 1979 Tabletop Asteroids and 1960's Pinball Machine.

But I get where you are coming from on keeping old modules up together and maintained, I do want to enjoy playing rather than tinkering.

I had the chance buying 11 pads in great condition which had been used with a DM-5 module, but was a little slow on the button, so missed out.

They would have been perfect, but hey ho, I am sure a nice set of pads will pop up soon.

Apart from Ebay and Gumtree, is there any other drum or music classified in the UK I should be looking for?

Thanks again.

Nick

Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-29 by Phil a

Hi all,

Actually my concern is the opposite. I want to play a SDS-III, SDS-V or SDS-7 but I couldn't care less about vintage pads. I would be interested to play on the "best" pads possible...
By "best" I mean SDS-compatible, musically sensitive, no need to beat them like a lumberjack, etc...
What have been your satisfied experiences so far ?

Phil
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On Sun, Apr 27, 2014 at 7:23 PM, Nick Zampiello <newallianceeast@...> wrote:

why not an sds800 or sds1000?

they are pretty much plug and play...
NEW ALLIANCE EAST!!!!

--------------------------------------

New Alliance East - Mastering
New Alliance East - Facebook

X :::: B :::: S
On Sunday, April 27, 2014 12:27 PM, Michael Buchner <buchnerelectronics@...> wrote:

Hello Nick,
if you like the shape and look of the Simmons Drums, I would recommend to buy only some hexagon pads and use a modern, new controller like a Roland (yes, folks, hate me for this sentence, but read on). You cannot buy one of these old boxes and expect to plug and play. And you have a child who wants to learn drums.
It is like to learn how to drive a car: I wouldn't recommend to start with an old MG or something. Most of the time you have problems with these old boxes, starting with the wiring. You should be a little experienced in the old technology, these beasts were the roots of electronic drums back in the days and today they are only something for real nerds.
A good combination is the Nord Drum with some old hex pads. You have to remove the resistor (inside the pad), then it feels and sounds like a Simmons, but is reliable, has a memory and is easy to handle. I play this while LOOKING on my fully equipped V.
Best
Michael
---- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 3:12 PM
Subject: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

Hi All,

I have just joined the Simmons group in the hope of learning more about, what I have always felt are the best looking drums on the planet!

Superb design, I love the sound (being a kid from the 80's) and I am now in a position to 'hopefully' invest in a good set which I want to play.

I have not seen any kits for sale on the board here, but I have seen some superb pictures of all your kits and wondered if anyone might be willing to part with something.

I have been scanning ebay for ages now and cannot find any good kits for sale which don't need a lot of work.

I have a seven year old son who loves the sound of Simmons, always trying to pick out the drum sound on the telly, (no we don't watch Eastenders)

I used to drum myself in the 809;s and could never afford a set of Simmonds, I gave up drumming when I started my own business. Now I have the space and a seven year old who wants to learn the drums with me, I feel it is time to search for something I can take care of and he can play.

I love the SDS9 and SDSV, the yellow set on the photo pages is beautiful ;o)

Thanks All

Nick Clack





Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-29 by <music@...>

This is a fun thread.. :-)

If you keep an eye on Ebay you will eventually find something decent for a reasonable asking price. Also, local pawn shops may from time to time offer something up as well. I found most of my bits of kit through Ebay, Kijiji and pawn shops... but it took a determined effort and many years.

Having been fortunate enough to experience and play all things Simmons new and old from back in 84~85 to present, I still maintain that no other eKit out there even comes close. While the Big Boys might have delivered us from Perspex with Mesh heads, there is nothing I would rather play than Mk4's and ZI Pads. There is just something about the look and yes.. the feel... of the hex's that does it for me. They are exciting to play... which is something I find lacking in anything else that's out there. Also, the others have given us ekits that are meant to replace acoustic kits in that they play and feel like acoustics and their sophisticated Brains are capable of "humanizing" and replicating the sound of a drum being played imperfectly.. which is great.. but I don't want that. When I sit behind my kit, I want "Numan", and not "Human".. lol.

But then again, I'm a computer nerd and drummer brought up on Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Eno, Steve Hillage, Jean Michel Jarre.....

Alan.


Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-30 by jesper

Hi list,

Michael Buchner skrev 2014-04-27 18:27:
> Hello Nick,
> if you like the shape and look of the Simmons Drums, I would recommend
> to buy only some hexagon pads and use a modern, new controller like a
> Roland (yes, folks, hate me for this sentence, but read on). You cannot
> buy one of these old boxes and expect to plug and play. And you have a
> child who wants to learn drums.

We don't hate you... even after that. ;) BTW, my kids are hitting away 
on my Seabroset with a Trixer 2 hooked up to it.

> It is like to learn how to drive a car: I wouldn't recommend to start
> with an old MG or something. Most of the time you have problems with
> these old boxes, starting with the wiring. You should be a little
> experienced in the old technology, these beasts were the roots of
> electronic drums back in the days and today they are only something for
> real nerds.

I agree though I would've loved to start in an MG. :) I started in a 
Volvo Amazon which was seen as a vintage classic already then.
http://cloudlakes.com/gallery/2660451-volvo-amazon.html
(sorry for the OT)

> A good combination is the Nord Drum with some old hex pads. You have to
> remove the resistor (inside the pad), then it feels and sounds like a
> Simmons, but is reliable, has a memory and is easy to handle. I play
> this while LOOKING on my fully equipped V.

I think you (in the general sense) need to decide if it's nostalgia, 
looks, sounds, feel, whatever, that is the priority. I'm no drummer and 
when I feel like drumming the mentioned Seabroset works just fine. And, 
now it's my time to go out on a limb, it's the best looking e-drumset in 
the history of mankind.
http://www.electronic-obsession.se/studio/seabro/seabro6.jpg

I mainly program my drums from a master keyboard through the MTM's and 
then I can gather the old goodies I want. The Trixer I only bought cheap 
so that the kids could keep nourishing their pop star dreams. ;)

So, to sum it up: Whatever works for you!

-- 
electronically yours, jesper

- -- --- ---- ----- ---- --- -- -
www.electronic-obsession.se

---

Angaudlinn on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/angaudlinn/id582356650

Angaudlinn on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B00AI3LNNM?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Angaudlinn&index=digital-music&search-type=ss

Angaudlinn's playlist på Spotify:
http://open.spotify.com/user/simplyanalogue/playlist/540Srd3zA15pK7G1S8qLHo

Angaudlinn on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Angaudlinn

Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-30 by jesper

music@... skrev 2014-04-29 17:41:
> When I sit behind my kit, I want "Numan", and not "Human".. lol.

So, are friends electric then? :)

> But then again, I'm a computer nerd and drummer brought up on Kraftwerk,
> Tangerine Dream, Eno, Steve Hillage, Jean Michel Jarre.....

Sure you're not Warren Cann? :D

-- 
electronically yours, jesper

- -- --- ---- ----- ---- --- -- -
www.electronic-obsession.se

---

Angaudlinn on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/angaudlinn/id582356650

Angaudlinn on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B00AI3LNNM?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Angaudlinn&index=digital-music&search-type=ss

Angaudlinn's playlist på Spotify:
http://open.spotify.com/user/simplyanalogue/playlist/540Srd3zA15pK7G1S8qLHo

Angaudlinn on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Angaudlinn

Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-04-30 by <music@...>

Yes... my friends are indeed electric.. and hex-shaped..

:-)


A quick addendum to the topic. . I use the Simmons gear as my 'main axe'... brains, pads and all.. but backed up by a Nord Drum 2 and DM Pro wired in and Midi'd if the Simmons Brain crashes at any time. At least this way one can get through the song and reboot at break...
Simmons : reliable, no...... cool, yes

:-)

Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-05-02 by <airflamesred@...>

Indeed,
To keep up the Simmons legacy alive, of which we all want, the sounds are, by far, the important part. No need to hit riot shield these days, you can now choose any mesh or rubber pad that takes your fancy.
Get a megadruum as a trigger interface and you can then plug and play, via midi, almost any Simmons product.

Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-05-03 by <music@...>

Yes, the "Simmons" sound... but seeing as there have been so many different offerings of "that sound" by so many different outfits over the years, one must strive to re-associate "the sound" with "the shape" of the greatest looking pads ever made. (That is, if one's intent is to keep the Simmons St Albans on life support for as long as possible.)

While the mesh's might offer up more pleasant and more forgiving playability than perspex... there is something to be said about the ZI Pads and the Pad surfaces Simmons used on the PortaKits. In my opinion, those surfaces allowed for a feel that is still equal to or better than the majority of pads on the market today.

Personally, maintaining this temperamental collection electronics and reconditioning/refurbishing these things is nothing short of complete bliss. Then again... I might be a tad opinionated..... I've been playing and breathing new life into these things since 1985 and have no plans to stop anytime soon.

:-)

Alan

Re: [Simmons Drums] Looking to Join the Simmons 'breathren' with my first kit

2014-05-03 by jesper

music@... skrev 2014-05-03 06:43:
> Yes, the "Simmons" sound... but seeing as there have been so many
> different offerings of "that sound" by so many different outfits over
> the years, one must strive to re-associate "the sound" with "the shape"
> of the greatest looking pads ever made. (That is, if one's intent is to
> keep the Simmons St Albans on life support for as long as possible.)

I know it's like speaking to already devoted fans, but I still maintain 
that "theeee" Simmons sound is the crunchyness of the SDS-V (gated if 
preferred) and having owned a lot of other drum synths I still haven't 
heard a faithful replica of that. I'm not talking sonar pings och 
lasergun battles here, but that thick and rich "in-your-face" sound that 
makes even the toms useful.

But yes, to most users it's the hexgons that counts! :)

-- 
electronically yours, jesper

- -- --- ---- ----- ---- --- -- -
www.electronic-obsession.se

---

Angaudlinn on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/angaudlinn/id582356650

Angaudlinn on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B00AI3LNNM?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Angaudlinn&index=digital-music&search-type=ss

Angaudlinn's playlist på Spotify:
http://open.spotify.com/user/simplyanalogue/playlist/540Srd3zA15pK7G1S8qLHo

Angaudlinn on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Angaudlinn

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