In this article, we will explore Simmons’s electronic drum kit and flag each so you know who it’s for. Simmons is known for affordable electric kits for beginner drummers rather than high-end professional series. That said, we will explore their pros and cons, and by the end of this article, you’ll have a clear idea of whether these drums are for you.
Best of Simmons Electronic Drum Kit
- Simmons SD600: Ideal for intermediate players seeking a realistic feel
- Simmons Titan 50: SD 600 with better sound and worst build quality
- Simmons SD1250: Great for advanced players and professionals
#1 Simmons Titan 50
Simmons’s cheapest model is Titan 20, but since the price difference is not that big, we strongly suggest going with an upgraded version, Titan 50. It is still very compact but features Bluetooth connectivity and is affordable. Mesh pads provide a realistic feel and are great for quiet practice. However, this is not a professional Simmons electric drum kit, so adjustments are necessary. This electric drum set features four pads and three cymbals, the same as you would get with any more expensive kit. Regarding sounds, it comes with 25 drums presets and 10 user-created kits that offer easy EQ, reverb, and compression tweaking.
It also features The Variable Attack Response (VAR); let me take a step back and explain this: When you hit a drum pad softly, it makes a quiet sound. But when you hit it harder, it makes a louder sound, right? They took this idea a step further. Instead of just making the sound louder when you hit it harder, it changes the sound, or the colour of the sound, to make it sound more like a real drum. This makes playing electronic drums feel more like playing real drums!
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
#2 Simmons SD600
Before there was Titan 50, there was this drum, the SD600. They cost the same, so we Assume Simmons wanted to give a facelift to SD600 without sacrificing customer money. Although Titan 50 has improved sound, SD600 still has a better build quality. Also, it can do something that Titan 50 can’t, which is hard to figure out why they would get rid of such a practical option. But, of course, I am talking about the ability to upload your own sounds. Any pro drummer will appreciate this feature. However, we would say that SD600 is for more advanced drummers who appreciate the build quality and are ready to sit down and make the needed adjustments in terms of sound. On the other hand, Titan 50 is aimed at beginners who want a “key in the hand” kind of approach.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Simmons Titan 50 Vs. Simmons SD600
- Sound Quality. Titan 50 is the obvious winner here. It’s a newer drum set, and Simmons re-recorded and enhanced the entire sound database.
- Module. Like every new electronic drum kit supposes to, Titan 50 offers better functionality. Moreover, it has additional features like Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth audio connectivity.
- Sound Packs. SD600 is better in something. For example, it can change and update sounds constantly, which the Titan 50 can’t.
- Build Quality. The SD600 focuses more on built quality, and overall it’s better. For example, it has better, more massive pads and is more firmly bolted than the Titan.
- Portability. The Titan 50 is more portable than the SD600 due to its compact, small, and lightweight design.
- Bottom line. Overall, we choose Simmons Titan 50 over the SD600, but we must acknowledge that both drum sets have strengths and weaknesses. If you are ready to experiment more but get a better-built quality go with SD600; if you want better-sounding electric drums, go with Titan 50.
#3 Simmons SD1250
This final chapter will discuss Simmons’s flagship model, the SD1250. It’s a drum kit with plenty of advantages and disadvantages. The positive side is that it has plenty of cymbals and pads in its price range. In addition, the kick drum is firm and stable; even if you play a double pedal, you won’t have to deal with any instability. Toms and snare are redesigned for a better drumming experience. In addition, they are made in the dual-zone, like all electronic drum kits in this tier.
We have to discuss some drawbacks we noticed, like the drum rack needing to be more sturdy and the hi-hat tend to miss some when you play fast. Also, the sound quality of the module could be better, but be a judge for yourself. Overall it has an excellent value-for-money ratio, but for a “pro” experience, we would use this drum as a MIDI controller and experiment with our own sounds rather than pre-made.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Simmons drums provide excellent value for money, and although they are not attacking Roland’s or Yamaha’s flagships, they were able to build a few decent electric drum kits. They offer a lot, from beginners to the intermediate tier of electronic drums. Now we will leave you to try it, and let us know what you think.
