SIMMONS SD1250 Electronic Drum Kit Instructions

SIMMONS SD1250 Electronic Drum Kit

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Electronic drum kits, like the Simmons SD1250, are designed to simulate the feel and sound of acoustic drum kits while offering additional features and versatility. Here are some common features you might find in electronic drum kits:

1. Pads: Electronic drum kits come with drum pads that you can hit with drumsticks. These pads are usually velocity-sensitive, meaning they can detect how hard you hit them and produce sounds accordingly.
2. Sound Module: This is the brain of the electronic drum kit. It contains the sounds of various drum and percussion instruments. The module often allows you to choose different drum kits, adjust volume levels, and sometimes even customize sounds.
3. Pedals: Electronic drum kits typically include pedals for the kick drum and hi-hat. These pedals are used to trigger the corresponding sounds.
4. Rack System: The drum pads are mounted on a rack system, providing stability and adjustability. The rack is usually adjustable to accommodate different playing preferences.
5. Connectivity: Electronic drum kits often come with various connectivity options, including MIDI ports, USB ports, and audio outputs. MIDI connectivity allows you to connect the kit to a computer or other MIDI-compatible devices for recording or using virtual instruments.
6. Built-in Metronome: Many electronic drum kits have a built-in metronome to help you practice and improve your timing.
7. Learning Tools: Some electronic drum kits come with built-in coaching or learning features to assist beginners in developing their drumming skills.

Setting Up

1. Unpack the Kit:
2. Carefully unpack all components of the electronic drum kit.
3. Assemble the Rack:
4. Set up the rack system according to the instructions in the manual.
5. Connect the Drum Pads:
6. Attach each drum pad to the rack using the provided clamps.
7. Connect the Pedals:
8. Connect the kick drum and hi-hat pedals to the designated ports on the drum module.
9. Connect the Drum Module:
10. Connect the drum module to the drum pads using the included cables.
11. Power On:
12. Connect the power supply to the drum module and plug it into a power outlet.

Using the Drum Kit

1. Turn On the Drum Module:
2. Power on the drum module. Some kits may have a power switch on the module itself.
3. Select Drum Kit:
4. Use the controls on the drum module to select a drum kit. This allows you to choose different preset sounds.
5. Adjust Volume:
6. Set the overall volume of the kit using the volume control on the drum module.
7. Adjust Pad Sensitivity:
8. If needed, adjust the sensitivity of each drum pad to suit your playing style. This is often done through settings in the drum module.
9. Connect to External Devices (Optional):
10. If you want to connect the drum kit to a computer, mixer, or other devices, use the appropriate ports on the drum module (MIDI, USB, audio output, etc.).
11. Practice with Metronome (Optional):
12. If your drum module has a built-in metronome, use it to practice and improve your timing.
13. Explore Additional Features:
14. Familiarize yourself with any additional features, such as coaching functions, recording capabilities, or sound customization options.
15. Refer to the Manual:
16. For detailed instructions and specific information about your Simmons SD1250, refer to the user manual provided with the kit.

Simmons SD1250 Firmware Release Notes

To update your SD1250 module
Note: This will reset any settings and user kits you have in the module. You can save your settings to a USB stick, see “Backup and Restore” on page 23 of the manual.

1. Connect a USB cable from your computer to the module.
2. Open Simmons Flash Upload for Mac or Windows, available from the Simmons website.
3. The software should alert you that the module is connected and will report the current firmware version.
4. Click the Browse button in the application, then select the ROM file that you downloaded. The update file needs to be Un-Zipped and should end with “.bin”
   • There are two hardware versions of the SD1250, so there are two update files in your download. If you choose the wrong file, you will see “Error:
   • This firmware is not compatible with your module.” If you see this message, click Browse again and choose the other file.
   • If you are trying to update to a version that’s already loaded, you will see the error message “Warning: This firmware is older or the same version as the firmware in your module.”
5. Click Update.
6. When the update is complete, disconnect the power to the module and then plug it back in.
7. Hold + and – while powering on to reset the module.

Changes in Firmware Version 20220917:

• Support for a different LCD driver chip on newer modules. Users with the original hardware don’t need this update.

Changes in Firmware Version 20220704:

• Fixed a bug that could cause problems when using the Simmons app for iOS

Changes in Firmware Version 20220107:

• Hi Hat retrigger time defaults were changed from 8 to 6 to avoid double triggering on Hi Hat between zones

Changes in Firmware Version 20211218:

• Cymbal zone response has been improved

Changes in Firmware Version 20211118:

• Hi Hat edge zone response has been improved
• The default MIDI note numbers of some cymbal zones has been changed. You can view or edit these assignments in the Utility / MIDI Note screen.

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