Simmons SDS-V - Successors

Successors

SDS-7

The subsequent SDS-7 was an analogue/digital hybrid that included sampled sounds on an EEPROM chip; users could create their own chips by purchasing an EEPROM burner. Following the success of the SDV, and the introduction of digital drum machines with real drum samples, Simmons introduced the SDS-7. A common technique in the studio was to simultaneously trigger a drum machine and SDS-V together and the SDS-7 seemed like it would merge both the analog and digital sounds together. However the SDS-7 failed in the to produce the hearty analog sound found in the SDS-V and the linear 8 bit format used for the digital sound wasn't as good of a sound as the 8 bit companded sounds found in the Linn, Oberhiem and E-Mu drum machines of the time. However, the SDS-7 was too expensive for most drummers.

SDS-8, SDS-800, SDS-6

In an attempt to capture a larger market, Simmons released the simpler and cheaper SDS-8 which was then superseded by the SDS-800, an expandable system with 2 and 4 expander tom modules. There were several subsequent Simmons drums and a sequencer (the SDS-6), most of which were very expensive and none managed to captured the qualities of the original SDS-V. Simmons went out of business in 1999.

SDK series

Guitar Center bought the Simmons Name for US in 2005, without any agreement of Dave Simmons, they stole the logo & used some close names & designs to the original models. the new kits have no relation at all to the original company (1980-1999). the original kits were SDS series, and the new kits are the SDK series, poorely made in china. And the SDS series pads were hexagon, and the SDK series pads are circle(not anymore actually GC is also using the hexagon shape against Simmons patent). And the voices/sounds on the SDS series were high end units made by dedicated Simmons ltd R&D, and SDK series are cheap chinese kits sold under different names all over the world . The new kits are SD5K, SD7K (or SD7PK), and SD9K, have drum modules, and amplifiers (DA50, and DA200S Monitor). Some drummers rarely or unknowingly play the new kits either live or recording.

For devotees of the sound, the sound of the original SDS-V lives on. It was used prominently in the sound of the 1980s, and to this day, the theme to UK soap opera EastEnders.