It was first revealed two years in the past that German audio large Behringer was engaged on a clone of the basic Simmons SDS-3 drum synthesizer. Now, it’s accessible for preorder.
Based mostly on the unique circuitry of the Simmons SDS-3 – the debut product from British designer Dave Simmons which arrived in 1978 – the Behringer SDS-3 options 4 totally impartial drum channels, in addition to a fifth, devoted particular FX channel for including “movement, grit and sonic character” to your synthesized percussion.
The Behringer SDS-3 options 57 onboard controls, with every of the 4 impartial drum voices that includes a noise generator and self-oscillating diode ladder filter. These, together with the bottom array of drum sounds on provide, imply all of the snares, kicks, hi-hats and cymbals you’ll be trying to create are lined.
Importantly, the SDS-3 is constructed for complete compatibility with actual drum units; audio from a drum package, for instance, can be utilized to set off the SDS-3 by way of 3.5mm TS jacks. The unit additionally boasts MIDI and USB connectivity.
There’s additionally pitch controls for every voice – one which tweaks the pitch of the tone generator and likewise serves as a low-pass filter for the noise generator – in addition to pitch bend and decay controls.
An LFO is assigned to the pitch of every drum voice, providing sq. and sine waves, and audio-rate modulation by way of a Run Time impact, which introduces steady modulation to your sound, as a substitute of being re-triggered with every drum hit.
The unique Simmons SDS-3 served as a predecessor to the SDS-5, the world’s first totally digital drum package. Immediately identifiable by way of its basic hexagonal pads, the SDS-3 discovered followers in a lot of high-profile artists. Together with Queen and Depeche Mode. The Behringer SDS-3 does away with the drum pads, and arrives in a extra Eurorack-friendly chassis.
“In at present’s synth panorama, the unique machine is considerably of a unicorn, however that isn’t going to cease us. We wish to convey again this basic and a enjoyable, distinctive means so as to add percussion to your songs,” says Behringer.
The SDS-3 is on the market to preorder now, priced at $249. Study extra at Behringer.
Sam is the Affiliate Information Editor for Guitar.com and MusicTech. Completely immersed in music tradition for almost all of his life, Sam has performed guitar for 20 years, studied music know-how and manufacturing at college, and likewise written for the likes of MusicRadar, Guitar World, Complete Guitar and Steel Hammer.
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