Conference napalm::commusic_v1

2302.0. "Simmons PortaKit" by SWAV1::STEWART (As a matter of fact, it's all dark) Wed Mar 28 1990 15:38

       This note describes the relatively unknown Simmons Electronics
       product known as the PortaKit.

       "PortaKit offers much more than a convenient way to trigger the
       sounds of MIDI Drum Machines and Samples in a compact Kit format.
       Add Bas drum and Hi-Hat pedals and you can access a total of 14
       playing surfaces in one portable package.  Force sensing film
       technology combined with a high-bounce rubber playing surface
       means no cross-talk between Pads and ensures a lively stick
       response.  You can even choose a Dynamic Curve for each Pad to
       suit your playing style.

       MIDI Effects such as Pitch Bend, After Touch and Control Changes
       can also be generated by one of the Pads.  The amount of the
       effect produced is proportional to the pressure you exert.

       50 Kit Memories allow you to store MIDI Notes, Durations, Dynamic
       Curves and MIDI Channels for each of the 14 Pads.  In addition,
       you can store Program Changes, a MIDI Effect and Tempo for the
       Kit.  Kits are recalled at the touch of a button, or external
       footswitch.

       For live use you can pre-program the Kits you want to use in one
       of 20 Song Memories and combine these with MIDI Start, Stop and
       Continue Commands along with MIDI Song Selects to reconfigure
       your entire MIDI set-up in seconds.

       An on-board, polyphonic Sequencer lets you record and overdub
       complex rhythm tracks.  12 Sequences can be recorded.  PortaKit
       will read and generate MIDI clocks making sure that you stay in
       sync with the rest of the world.

       Last, but certainly not least, 6 External inputs, coupled with
       Simmons' unique LEARN facility enable you to cleanly trigger MIDI
       devices from Simmons Pads, Tape Signals or even Acoustic Drums
       Mics."

       - from the Introduction chapter of the "Creative Use of Simmons
       PortaKit" booklet I received with my unit.

       Physically, it's a wedge shaped unit that's real close to 19"
       wide, the manual says 495mm / 470mm / 135mm.  It has a strong
       non-detachable handle and weighs about 20 lbs, max.  It has four
       threaded holes on the base which kind of implies that there might
       be a floor stand, somewhere.  Here are the specifications from
       the last page of the manual:

       PADS - 12 fully dynamic Pads utilising Force Sensing Films and a
       hi-bounce rubber playing surface.  10 assignable Dynamic Curves.

       MIDI - Fully programmable MIDI interface.  MIDI Note per Pad
       (Single/4 note Chord - Note Duration 0-2.5 seconds / Echoed Note
       with Dynamic Control).  MIDI Channel per Pad.  MIDI Program
       Change per Channel assigned.  Generates/Reads MIDI Clock.  System
       Exclusive Save from/Load to MIDI.

       SEQUENCER - 12 Polyphonic Sequences with a total sequence
       capacity of approximately 10,000 events.  Record/Overdub/Play
       modes.  Programmable Tempo 40-240 BPM.  Quantise on record.

       EFFECTS - MIDI Pitch Bend Up/DOWN, Aftertouch, COntrol Changes
       and Gate Damp all proportional to pressure exerted on the CymFX
       Pad or Effect Pedal.

       KITS - 50 programmable Kit memories.  Data stored: MIDI
       parameters, Dynamic Curve, Effect, Kit Tempo.

       SONGS - 20 Songs, each up to 20 events in length.  Events can be
       recalled in a pre-programmed sequence by Up/Down buttons or
       optional footswitch.  Data stored as an event: Kit number 1-50,
       MIDI command Start/Stop/Continue, MIDI Song Select 1-128.

       METRONOME - Audio click on/off.  Sync source - Internal/Internal
       & MIDI/Sync from MIDI clock.

       LEARN - 6 External Inputs for Pads/Bufs/Acoustic Drum Mics, with
       8 gain settings and Envelope Profile Learn.

       DISPLAY - 16 character by 2 line backlit LCD with 8 contrast
       settings.  Kit memories, Sequences and Songs can all be named
       with 8 chars.

       EXTERNAL INPUTS - 6 External Inputs for Acoustic Drum
       Mic's/Bugs/Pads.  MIDI In (Merge, Kit select, MIDI sync. SysEx).
       Hi-Hat Pedal.
       Effect Pedal.
       Up/Down Footswitch.
       Start/Stop Footswitch.

       OUTPUTS - Metronome audio out.
       MIDI Out 1
       MIDI Out 2/Thru.

       CONTROL PANEL -
		Mode		Kit/Song
		Edit Kit	Note Type, Note Duration, Dynamic
				Control, Dynamic Curve, MIDI Channel,
				MIDI Program, Effect, Tempo.
		Edit Song	Kit Number, MIDI Command, Song Select,
				End Song.
		Metronome	Start/Stop, Menu.
		Sequencer	Record,Play.
       		Special		Learn, Menu.
		Data Entry	Up/Down, Left/Right.
       

    Sounds interesting.  Price?
    
    	Eirikur

	I paid $300 for mine in the used gear department at the Santa Ana
	Guitar Center.

    	I just got off the phone with James from Sam Ash and he said that
    PortaKits have terrible reputations, and several implementation bugs. 
    Is this true, Commusicians?  I was really excited about hearing of it
    (finally) but it looks like it might have a lot of problems.
    
    Any comments?  From STEWART especially?
    
    Mike

    	I just got off the phone with James from Sam Ash and he said that
    PortaKits have terrible reputations, and several implementation bugs. 
    Is this true, Commusicians?  I was really excited about hearing of it
    (finally) but it looks like it might have a lot of problems.
    
    Any comments?  From STEWART especially?

       Yeah, there probably are bugs, but I haven't noticed any.  I'm
       not beating the hell out of it, though.  I'm sure that if you
       look real hard you'll find faults.  Works for me and one of these
       days I'll get around to putting some pedals on it.  Even though
       I'm not a percussionist I'm uncomfortable playing kick parts with
       my hands.  Takes two tracks to do a normal kit's part.

       John Stewart,
       who's guesting on CANYON while waiting for a new SWAV1.