Ok...this is like the third forum I've joined in my quest to learn and expand my knowledge on the drums my late father left behind...
I've got so many drums and cymbals that I have no clue about in comparison to the stuff dad had...some of that stuff was a quad of syndrums.
I found the brain, pedal, and cords today. They appear to be in working order but I want to test them. Does anyone know what I need to do? Is there a manual I can download somewhere? Thanks
I have only seen Syndrums, but from what I understand, all you need to do is plug a pad into the brain and plug the output cord into an amp and hit the drum. Mind I have owned many e-drums (Simmons SDS series from the '80s) as well as others including my AWESOME Drumkat (no onboard sound source). But e-drums have operated the same for well over 35 years- piezo transducer transmits signal to the brain after being hit. I would go so far to say that 9 out of 10 times if your drum makes no sound, it is probably down to the triggering mechanism, which is a pretty easy fix.
I have no idea who repairs Syndrums, but I imagine you could find someone to repair it by researching who fixes vintage synthesisers. The circuits are not that dissimilar when it comes to analogue synths.
Good luck and enjoy the ubiquitous sound of your e-drum.
SYNDRUMS....now were goin back a few years ago. Hope you have good luck on gettin it repaired.That Syndrum will come in handy when you're doin a cover of Little River Band's 'Reminiscing'.
Just re-read the original post- I would look for a manual in the same places that you would for other synth stuff. I think there is a site called Synthmuseum or something like that.
Hopefully, you will test it and it fires right away. It was all down to how competent the person soldering was that day. Even though it more than likely used a PCB, there are a few hard-wired solder joins on those older synth modules.
http://www.synthmuseum.com/pal/palsyn01.html
That page doesn't say much, but this is a good start. I think you could call the museum curator and get some help.
I have only seen Syndrums, but from what I understand, all you need to do is plug a pad into the brain and plug the output cord into an amp and hit the drum. Mind I have owned many e-drums (Simmons SDS series from the '80s) as well as others including my AWESOME Drumkat (no onboard sound source). But e-drums have operated the same for well over 35 years- piezo transducer transmits signal to the brain after being hit. I would go so far to say that 9 out of 10 times if your drum makes no sound, it is probably down to the triggering mechanism, which is a pretty easy fix.I have no idea who repairs Syndrums, but I imagine you could find someone to repair it by researching who fixes vintage synthesisers. The circuits are not that dissimilar when it comes to analogue synths.Good luck and enjoy the ubiquitous sound of your e-drum.
This is my recollection as well... I had a couple of singles I used in the 80's but to be honest I wasn't that impressed with them. Within a couple of months of me getting them Simmons came out with their SDS V - so I switched to those and the Syndrums were in the classifieds... yeah, I said classifieds, cuz that's how we rolled back then!
I remember getting a Simmons with the eproms from a classified ad for only $75!!!! I liked my SDS8, even though it didn't have nearly as much adjustability like the SDSV.
The Simmons stuff, while sounding totally electronic, could cut through a wall of Marshalls, if needed. Syndrums, not so much. But they were definitely a unique sound. I sometimes would gig with a Simmons kit with a real snare drum. And E-cymbals weren't even in the question, then.
Speaking of other things to duplicate with Syndrums- you could do the drum parts before the guitar solo in the KISS song "I Was Made for Loving You".
Harry Conway on the Drummerworld Forum may have some information on Syndrums.
Wow thanks all for the replies. I will be trying them out this weekend and then hopefully I can determine their overall condition.
I will have to join another forum I suppose hahaa for the Harry Conway guy. Hahah this is becoming insane. I will keep checking back to see if anyone has a PDF or something they can direct me to. So far nothing.
There were just so few Syndrums compared to Simmons drums, which is probably why you're not having the easiest time finding out about them. Syndrums were DEFINITELY the first synth drum. I would even say that there are probably three (or more) Simmons brains for every Syndrum. They seemed to be in every studio for a short while. You have a rare bird.
You may as well check ebay for a manual whilst looking for a pdf. After all, everything is on ebay...
Maybe you could prevail on Joe Pollard's good graces. Pollard stopped by Donn Bennett's in June:
He's in business these days selling Checker cab stuff, there's a contact us at his company's site. Here's the About US section:
http://www.checkerparts.com/content/view/13/28/
"Joe Pollard, owner of Checker Parts, Inc., has been a musician for most of his life. He rode in hundreds of Checker Cabs while performing on the road as a drummer..."
And finally, here is somebody walking through the controls in vid, might be some use:
Patrick
