Simmons is introducing the SD2000 Mesh-Head Electronic Drum Kit ($1,299.99 street price), which is designed to be an expressive instrument offering signature sounds and sound design features, playability, and on-the-fly control. The SD2000 marks the return of company founder Dave Simmons to Simmons’ product development and sound design efforts.

The SD2000 kit includes the 11″, triple-zone, SimHex mesh snare; three 9″, dual-zone SimHex mesh toms; and a 9″ mesh bass drum with nonslip stand. Cymbals include a 13″, dual-zone, choke-able crash; 15″, triple-zone ride; and 12″ hi-hat.

The SD2000 is the first Simmons kit to feature advanced, tension-able SimHex mesh pads with variable attack response technology for expressive performance and nuanced playability. Each SimHex drum is fully adjustable to personal playing positions, thanks to Simmons’ new Spherical Isolation Mounting System (SIMS), which helps to eliminate crosstalk. The SD2000’s triple-zone (center and two rim zones) SimHex mesh snare allows even more creative triggering options, while the low-profile rubber pad rims provide a superior, natural playing angle. The kit comes with Simmons’ HEXX Rack, a strong and durable anodized aluminum rack with die-cast mounts.

The SD2000 sound module delivers the Simmons Signature Sound Library, an expansive sound collection that includes recognizable vintage drum set sounds, as well as many contemporary kits. Simmons states that it used era-specific recording techniques to create this library.

In addition to acoustic kits, many classic sounds from famous Simmons vintage gear were also recaptured for this series. Dave Simmons himself was instrumental in curating and capturing the original Simmons drum kit sounds. The library also includes an extensive collection of world percussion. Users may also add samples to the library.

The sound module also offers a large, full-color LCD screen, and a built-in performance mixer for controlling volume, EQ, and pitch, as well as for shaping and applying filters on the fly. A USB port provides playback of WAV and MP3 files from a USB drive and allows WAV file recording for personal performance evaluation.

Kit expansion is possible with the Simmons’ SD2000 Expansion Pack ($299.99 street price), which provides another 13″, dual-zone crash cymbal; a 9″ SimHex floor tom; and mounting hardware. The SD2000 Sound Module sports two extra trigger inputs designed to accommodate the SD2000 Expansion Pack components.

For more information visit www.simmonsdrums.net.