Simmons (electronic drum company)

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Simmons was a pionnering manufacturer of electronic drums that supplied the world's best-sounding electronic kits from 1980 to the early 90's. Its distinctive, electronic sound can be found on countless albums from the 80's. Notable users were Phil Collins, Bill Bruford and many other famous drummers. The first kits, with their famous hexagonal shape, were based almost exclusively on analog circuitry and thus sported a similar architecture to analog synthesizers. Later systems offered sample-based sounds and programmable memories. The pinnacle of Simmons' designs was the SDS-X (launched in 1989), a US $10,000 all-digital system with "zoned" pads, onboard sampling, computer-like user interface and outstanding professional sound. But the music scene of the early 90's was much different from the late 80's, and the Simmons' sounds, often associated with pop, synth-driven tunes, couldn't find a serious market response in the simplified, more acoustic drumming trends of the grunge and rock styles of the time. The company closed doors in 1993, however, their products are still much wanted by many musicians around the world and, while other companies like Roland, Sherpa, and Clavia have produced much modern and advanced electronic kits, the Simmons brand has remained almost like a cult concept.

In 2005, Guitar Center acquired the rights to the Simmons trademark and began marketing electronic drumkits under the Simmons name. These kits have no relationship to the original company.

A Simmons resource page can be found at: www.simmons.synth.net