Simmons MTM

It has a software version alright, but I only see software version 1985. I guess back then the year was more important. These guys were probably Bill Gates Teachers a few years back. :) It actually has no presets, and probably no sounds, but as this device is found in almost every music studio found on the internet, I felt the need to write something about it. It is actually a midi trigger machine. But it's extremely difficult to use, so I thought someone could find him/herself insulted by my remarks, and place a limited description and help file right here. I'm sorry if someone feels this unaappriopriate, it is the only way for me. I have a few pages of the manual (in italian), a sane person would say only the important ones, but I can't make sense of it. I've done everything as the manual says, and it still doesn't work as it should, or as the manual says it should. I guess mine is not broken, because it doesn't seem to be, but then again, who knows...

So. It has 8 in's on the back 3.5mm jacks and XLR. Also trigger outputs, midi in, out, out II (ever heard of something similar?!?!? Me not!), through, tape output (maybe it does have sounds after all?!), and some 9 din connectors for sds 9000 i guess. It is packed very heavy-duty, in a 19" package and it seems to be an exceptional piece of equipment, but if someone only knew how to use it! So far I've managed to make SOME of the pads (prodrum) send midi messages on channel 1 (why not 10 for god's sakes?!?!?!) but it simply won't work as I want it to. Maybe it can't?! But if not, what's the use of it?! All I want is to use it as a interface between the pads and the computer, so I can trigger the amazing layered drum samples of Native Instruments Battery. I someone could help me, I would love that person!

Expresiveness? Well, I must say that the rythm machines I used (Korg DDD-1, Yamaha RX-11, Roland JX-305 Groovesynth - but on the 1. midi channel only!) sounded very strange when triggered from the MTM. The sounds were short and somewhat distorted. When I tried to connect it with Propellerhead Reason's Redrum machine it did recognize every pad but it only recieved misterious note off messages on single TX channels or something otherwise sinister (I guess, because instead of the PLAY button it lighted the MUTE button!?!?!). No clue...

The guy who had it before me said he never used it, and he doesn't even remeber who gave it to him. He never used it since he's a Alesis D4-freak. I bought later a Roland PM16 and the guy who sold it to me said he knew a guy ones who had the MTM and used it in every gig, but even that genius said it's the most complicated piece of equipment he ever saw. I would like to sell it, but I'm pretty sure i'm missing something here. I'm convinced that it's a great piece of equipment in some way and that I shouldn't sell it. Todays midi trigger devices usually have sounds also, which increses too much the correct price one should pay and they (in my opinion) usually suck (I have a Roland SPD11 so I guess I know what I'm talking about). The recorded drum samples on a computer or a sampler usually give much, much more. This is the only reason I want to keep this device. Otherwise it would be history a long time a go. And I'd sell it for 40 bucks as a black metal "Mad Max" memorabilia!

Is there any?! Is there really any?! Does the company even exist anymore?!?!?! I guess they went bancrupt because they were writing bad manuals for complex devices! :) I had a SDS9 prior to the ProDrum MTM, and couldn't get any answers to those 2 questions either.

I got it as a gift when I bought the ProDrum. As well as the mentioned Korg DDD-1 rythm machine. I would like to sell it, 'cause I saw that this guy sold it on eBay for 350$ a feew months back (?!?!?!?!?!) but I'm pretty sure I'm missing something here. I'm convinced that it's a great piece of equipment in some way and that I shouldn't sell it. Todays midi trigger devices usually have sounds also, which increses too much the correct price one should pay and they (in my opinion) usually suck (I have a Roland SPD11 (which I like to use for cymbals and hihats very much, but only) so I guess I know what I'm talking about). The recorded drum samples on a computer or a sampler usually give much, much more. This is the only reason I want to keep this device. Otherwise it would be history a long time a go. And I'd sell it for 40 bucks as a black metal "Mad Max" memorabilia! :) If anyone can help, anything at all, please write at dadoka22@hotmail.com or the address in the link...