Vintage Simmons Drums (UK) Users Group

Hi everyone, my first post here.

So I bought a Simmons SDS7 kit on Ebay a few months ago and finally got around to having a good look at it this week.  Being a child of the 80's I've always wanted a Simmons kit and kind of got this by accident.  It's also my first drum kit.  Anyway...

Unfortunately, the bottom of the kick pad shell got damaged since I took possession but other than that all seems good.  I managed to plug the brain in a while ago and everything lit up on the front panel but I can't actually test it because I don't have anything to hear it through (ie like an amp) and there doesn't seem to be a headphone jack anywhere on it.  So, can any of you recommend a suitable way of hooking up some headphones?  Do I just need an XLR-to-headphone socket adapter or something else?  I can't make too much noise because the neighbours will get upset.

Thanks all
Jon

Congratulations Jon!  Welcome to the hex club.

Your best bet for monitoring through headphones would be to get a line mixer with a headphone jack to patch the brain into. This will also allow you to patch into a PA when the opportunity presents. If you don't know already, Simmons wired their XLR jacks in a non-traditional manner.  You can find reference docs on Simmonsmuseum.com that will assist you in wiring your rig up.  Pad inputs are wired one way, while the line outs are wired a different way. Post some pics when you get a chance.


Roger

--- In Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com, "jon.paige" <jon.paige@...> wrote:

>
> Hi everyone, my first post here.
> 
> So I bought a Simmons SDS7 kit on Ebay a few months ago and finally got around to having a good look at it this week.  Being a child of the 80's I've always wanted a Simmons kit and kind of got this by accident.  It's also my first drum kit.  Anyway...
> 
> Unfortunately, the bottom of the kick pad shell got damaged since I took possession but other than that all seems good.  I managed to plug the brain in a while ago and everything lit up on the front panel but I can't actually test it because I don't have anything to hear it through (ie like an amp) and there doesn't seem to be a headphone jack anywhere on it.  So, can any of you recommend a suitable way of hooking up some headphones?  Do I just need an XLR-to-headphone socket adapter or something else?  I can't make too much noise because the neighbours will get upset.
> 
> Thanks all
> Jon
>

Thanks Roger

I will look into that.  Trust us brits to do it differently but I should be able to figure out the wiring part.

When I get chance I'll post some pics.  The pads look like they've been painted as they are dark blue fading to royal at the edges.  The brain has 8 modules fitted.  I guess checking the internal battery will be the next job.

Jon

>
> Congratulations Jon!  Welcome to the hex club.
> 
> Your best bet for monitoring through headphones would be to get a line mixer with a headphone jack to patch the brain into. This will also allow you to patch into a PA when the opportunity presents. If you don't know already, Simmons wired their XLR jacks in a non-traditional manner.  You can find reference docs on Simmonsmuseum.com that will assist you in wiring your rig up.  Pad inputs are wired one way, while the line outs are wired a different way. Post some pics when you get a chance.
> 
> 
> Roger