Vintage Simmons Drums (UK) Users Group

> I'll let you know how reliable the SDS-8 still is, as I recently
>purchased one, complete with pads, etc. This one may be the keeper for me
>in the end.....


Programming the SDS7 is not as fast as spinning the pots on an SDS8, but
there are so many sounds that the 7 is capable of that the 8 can't touch.
The 8 is completely analogue while the 7 is a hybrid. You can get close to
the sound of the 8 with the analogue section of the 7, but not the other
way around. Also, the analogue section of the SDS7 really does sound
better than the SDS800 to my ears.

On the other hand, you can do live tweaking on the SDS8 that would be
impossible on the 7, or on the similar Pearl Drum-X, like this:

http://soundcloud.com/red-noise/simmons-sds-800-1

I've had an 800 since the early 90's, and thought briefly about selling it
when I got my 7. VERY briefly. As soon as I started digging into the 7 I
realized I was going to need both of them :-P

all my best,
- Scott


ps - some more links to some SDS sounds I have on SoundCloud:

Using only the analogue section of the SDS7:
http://soundcloud.com/red-noise/sds7

Using the digital and analogue sections of the SDS7:
http://soundcloud.com/red-noise/simmons-sds7

Using the Run Generator on the SDS800:
http://soundcloud.com/red-noise/simmons-sds-800