ABOUT YOUR SDS 8
The SDS 8, (Simmons Drum Synthesizer 8), is an electronic drum kit which has been
designed to accurately reproduce the sound of a well amplified acoustic drum kit
while offering the infinite range of sounds available from modern electronics as
applied to musical instruments. The SDS 8 has individual channels for bass drum,
snare drum and three tom-toms. Each channel has a factory pre-set sound and a
programmable option enabling drummers to construct their own sounds. The controls
affect parameters that it would be desirable to adjust on acoustic drums and later in
this manual the explanation of these controls is made by relating their effect to the
individual components of an acoustic drum sound. This will give you the ability to
analyse an acoustic drum sound and program it electronically.
Each channel has two pre-sets – the first is a factory programmed sound and the
second can be programmed by you to create your own unique drum sound. The
factory and user programmed sounds can be selected on each channel individually and
a footswitch facilitates the simultaneous switching of all five channels from one pre-
set sound to the other.
A stereo mixer is built into the synthesizer console, along with individual audio
outputs for each channel. The subject of amplifying the SDS 8 is covered in some
depth later in this manual.
The drum pads are fitted with newly developed “softened” playing surfaces which
closely emulate the feel of a conventional drum head whilst offering a wide range of
dynamic control. With their hexagonal shape and vibrant colouring, Simmons drums
are designed for maximum visual appeal. At Simmons, we believe this to be very
important.
