SDSM - MIDI for the Simmons SDSV does what it says on the packet. With the addition of a Tubbutec uniPulse MIDI to trigger converter, SDSM makes it really easy to add MIDI triggering to the Simmons SDSV WITHOUT drilling holes or making any other permanent modifications to your vintage synthesiser drum system.
When looking to buy my first Simmons SDSV several months ago, I immediately considered adding some type of MIDI triggering. The problem was that MIDI to trigger interfaces are quite thin on the ground, probably because it's such a limited market. Something like the Simmons MTM was a bit over the top for my needs so imagine my delight when I stumbled across uniPulse by Tubbutec.
Yes, of course I considered designing my own MIDI to trigger converter but after buying a uniPulse to basically try out, I knew I'd found what I was looking for so why would I reinvent the wheel, guys? From my trial tests, tubbutec has done an excellent job and they come across as really nice guys, too.
At the heart of the uniPulse kit is a small PCB but also supplied, are various accessories, allowing for easy integration into many different electronic drum systems and even vintage, pre-MIDI drum machines. When buying your uniPulse for your SDSM, just ask Tobias for a SDSM pack for the Simmons SDSV and he'll send you exactly what need.
SDSM comprises two fundamental parts; the faceplate and an internal bracket to hold the small 40mm x 43mm uniPulse PCB.
The faceplates were modelled on the original blank SDSV faceplates so they look quite at home on the SDSV. Having said that, it took a couple of tries to get everything to line up (metric, imperial, metric, imperial, GRRRR). When designing printed circuit boards, I always print on to paper first, when I can. It's quite different in this case however, to have a piece of aluminium in your hands and on your SDSV.
As you can see I even changed things slightly, between my second and third prototypes.
You may have worked out by now, that the installation of SDSM requires one prerequisite; that your SDSV has a spare module slot. 🙁 Yeah, sorry about that.
There are two types SDSM; SDSM and SDSM HH. The former is for any SDSV but the latter is specifically for those users who have an original Simmons SDSV hi-hat pedal. SDSM HH has an additional toggle switch to allow the hi-hat open / closed control function, to be taken from either an original Simmons hi-hat pedal, or MIDI.
If you have a SDSV with a hi-hat module but you don't have an original Simmons hi-hat pedal or have no desire to use the hi-hat open / closed function via a pedal input, then you should choose the standard SDSM module as the chances of picking up an original Simmons hi-hat pedal are going to be pretty remote.
As stated in the opening paragraph of this post and in keeping with all my upgrades and modifications, SDSM - MIDI for the Simmons SDSV, can be easily removed, thereby returning your SDSV to factory. You don't have to drill any holes or do any type of permanent modification to your SDSV, to get SDSM to work.
MIDI IN is via the unused module pad trigger input and SDSM includes a male XLR to female 5-pin DIN so all you need to do is hook up a standard MIDI connection from your studio and you're off! 🙂 Coolamundo, dude!
SDSM mounts the uniPulse MIDI activity LED on the front panel which makes things very accessible. In fact, you have a choice of red LED, in keeping with the rest of the SDSV front panel, or a green LED, which is the same colour as the MIDI activity indicator on a lot of other gear in my studio, specifically Roland.
I'm saying this a lot but... as with all my upgrades and modifications, SDSM is accompanied by a highly illustrated and detailed installation manual.
Below is my own Simmons SDSV. SDSM looks like it's always been there. Love it! 🙂
A WORD OF THANKS
In recent years, I've observed how people are tending to try to do stuff completely by themselves. Hey there's a video on YouTube, right?!?!? 🙁 In fact, the increasing lack of collaboration I see, deeply saddens me. The development of SDSM however, is a great example of just how things could and perhaps should work.
I'm a bit old school and since the SDSM faceplates were modelled on the original SDSV blanking plates, I felt obliged to give a call to my friend, Dave Simmons to ask his permission to use his logo.
I also contacted Tubbutec as it was my intention to have the Tubbutec logo on my new SDSM faceplates, too.
Well, Dave got back to me pretty quickly and he was delighted with all the work I'm doing, to keep vintage gear alive and hopefully going for a few more decades.
As it turned out, Tobias from Tubbutec and I really hit it off. In fact, following a couple of e-mail exchanges, he even modified the uniPulse firmware. What a star!!!! 🙂
During the development of SDSM, there's another gentleman who lent me a very big helping hand. Ed Rose, aka The Simmons Guy, has installed considerably more uniPulses than I have and Ed has extensive knowledge pertaining to the 'quirks' of the SDSV when adding MIDI triggering. Ed was also in on the suggestions for the 'Simmons' firmware upgrade for uniPulse.
So to conclude my acknowledgments, I have to say that I feel quite privileged to be in a position to thank Dave Simmons, Tobias of Tubbutec and Ed Rose but it all means just a little bit more because they helped me with one of my little upgrade projects.
You can buy SDSM here but please note that for the time being, you'll have to purchase a Tubbutec uniPulse yourself, directly from tubbutec.de
SDSM is made locally here in the United Kingdom. In fact, it's made a few miles away from where I used to work a million years ago, at the old Simmons factory in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. All materials, machining, mill finishing, painting and silk screening are supplied by local companies. It's something I'm quite passionate about and positively insist on. 🙂