Vintage Simmons Drums (UK) Users Group

Hello,

I'm about to purchase a SDS-5 kit, a synare snare, and a syndrum 
tom. I have samples on my PC that I'd like to assign to each of 
these e-drums. Did Simmons ever put out a pad to midi converter? is 
that what the Simmons MTM is? I've been advised by someone on 
another forum that I can use the Alesis DM5 as a pad to midi 
converter, but I'd like 15+ inputs if possible. 

I also need to be steered towards some samplers/brains that I can 
load my samples into to assign to each pad. I'd like to be able to 
equalize each pad individually with other outboard equalizers if 
possible. With that, I'm thinking the sampler/brain will need to 
have as many outs as ins, or am I way off?

Any information will be much appreciated. 

Thanks