Simmons Drums & Percussion

Without the contributions that Simmons has made to the world of drums & percussion, chances are pretty good that we would not have the electronic drum set as we know it today. The history of Simmons starts in 1978, when they began to develop some of the earliest electronic drums, paving the way for percussion to go digital. Through the music of artists who worked with Simmons, like Duran Duran, Def Leppard, Howard Jones and Phil Collins, their electronic drums went a long way to defining the music scene of the 1980s.

Decades later, Simmons has stepped back from the bleeding-edge to set its sights on building high-quality, yet affordable, electronic drums for the everyday player. These are great options for hobbyists and beginners, not to mention professional drummers looking for an easy, casual practice kit. Simmons makes a solid lineup of electronic drum kits that give you everything you need to get started from scratch. They come as big or as small as you like, so check out something like the SD5X or SDXpress2 if you want a compact and portable set or the SD1500 when you're ready to go full-size.

There are also plenty of individual pads, triggers and accessories to choose from if you'd like to expand your existing drum set. Simmons drum and cymbal pads offer a ton of versatility with single, dual and triple-zone models available. If a simple tap is all you need, one zone will do the trick. But, if you're searching for professional-level response that reacts differently to striking different locations just like an acoustic drum, you'll want the two or three-zone versions.

For the most determined do-it-yourselfers, the SD1000 Drum Sound Module is available by itself for creating a drum set from the ground up. Connect pads or triggers, attach one of Simmons' great monitors like the DA200S or DA50, and you'll have a totally customized set ready to go. The monitors are powered, too, so you won't need a separate amp - and they come with headphone outputs, allowing you to practice in silence if you like.

There's no percussion more versatile than a set of electronic drums. They've made rhythm a whole new ball game, and Simmons was at the forefront of that revolution. With their present lineup, the change in focus from the tech to the drummer has resulted in an incredibly accessible series of electronic drums that have tons of appeal for experienced players and beginners alike.