SIMMONS SD350 Review: Should you buy them?

[@larrygarzacomedy4759]

Was worried I made a mistake getting this for my 11 year old. But for the price and him being a beginner your video helped me out. I was told by a friend about the bass pedal issue, but hearing you say that it will help build muscle for beginners solidified it for me. Thanks for taking the time to make this.

[@KeithronPowell]

You’re welcome. Be sure to tag me in them videos of your 11 year old. Prolly bout to take my job! 😂

[@OhNobleNarwhal]

Much appreciated for the review. Im new but I had some “concerns” from other things I had read. You really did a great job of breaking it down and explaining through your thoughts. Yo Simmons, if you’re reading this... this video solidified my choice of grabbing an SD600. If I can give feedback on the video, banners for socials work well since they don’t take away from the main content(your face). The transition was cool to show your socials while the video kept going in the corner, but it did distract me a bit. Could just be me, but I thought I would share. Again, this video was great. Thanks again.

[@KeithronPowell]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m always looking to make it better but I also try to be slightly different. I hope that Simmons reads this. Also, check back soon! Major announcement coming!

[@thomasraven]

Thanks for the review. I got my SD600 on sale for $450. I'd recommend spending that little bit of extra money to get a way better kit.

[@DD-ym3nk]

100%, I got an alesis nitro for like 350 about 6mo ago, and I spent another 400 on a new kick pad and solid double bass pedal

[@dannydonnelly5150]

It is refreshing to see an honest review ❤😊!

[@KeithronPowell]

Thanks

[@TheHoopLaedy]

Thank you for being real about this! So so so helpful. I'm a more experienced drummer but I just wanted a cheaper option to practice on that's smaller and less noisy

[@KeithronPowell]

You’re welcome and thanks

[@AlienFrequency]

that intro was intense lol. great video.

[@KeithronPowell]

Lol yeah just a bit

[@jbelcher74]

Thanks for the fair review. It is currently on sale and was thinking of getting it for my daughters because I think they would like it. I suppose even without bluetooth if you have an auxiliary extension cable for the headset that should solve that.

[@KeithronPowell]

Yeah, with the cable it’ll be fine. The pedal is going to make them strong!!! 😂

[@maggot6639]

I've seen one of these for sale for 250... never played drums so might actually get it

[@hunterdaniels3219]

Bought mine for 120

[@adolfohernandez6134]

I own the same set..and totally agree with everything you said...I replaced pedal and kick pad ..don't like module in center..and yes!...the headphone cord does get in the way..LOL..nice video man..

[@KeithronPowell]

Thanks for watching…. They have the Titan 50 that is supposed to replace it but the brought out the Titan 20 which is the direct fix to the 350. Sell yours and get the 50!!!

[@mixturegalaxy7479]

Appreciate your viewpoint!

[@KeithronPowell]

Thanks

[@Justin_311]

Reviews spot on. I bought this. I tried wireless headphones and the latency is horrendous. They do make an add-on bass drum tower...100 more dollars

[@KeithronPowell]

Take them back and get the SD600!!! You’ll love them

[@Justin_311]

@@KeithronPowell i almost went sd1200 last night...one day

[@KeithronPowell]

If you can do it but if the money is the issue get the SD 600 and the Expansion kit

[@synthchigginnz]

Thank you so much for doing a review on this kit.. was looking at buying it for myself I don't need or want anything to bigger fancy just something to get my foot in the door

[@KeithronPowell]

It’s perfect for that

[@XxTheIOSGAMERxX]

I dont know anything about drums but I found this set along with a throne and a pyle speaker and a studio headset on offerup for $190 and I couldn't resist.

[@KeithronPowell]

Yeah… you had to pick that up… it’s the law! 😂

[@stevenclark9805]

Thanks for the feedback. 'Specially, the b.d. pedal and the headphone cord/module situation. yYs, I would get caught up inn that.

[@KeithronPowell]

I say spend the extra and get the SD600

[@stevenclark9805]

@@KeithronPowell Thanks!

[@TerrenceBoyceNashville]

At this point (in 2024), should a beginner even look at this kit, or just go for the Titan 20? Because the SD350 is an older kit, you could potentially get it used for less than a new Titan 20... Has the kick pedal feel improved with the T20?

[@KeithronPowell]

Get the T20!!!!! Ya may as well get the new tech and sounds.

[@dustingartman2734]

I bought the SD 600 and I like them.

[@KeithronPowell]

I have them... Love them too

[@ronaldsimmons4703]

Thanks ! I live in a high rise and my building would complain if I play drums. I have been playing for years but because of the pandemic, studios has been closed. I saw an offer for these electronic drums for $300, I thought that was a good offer although I never owned an electronic kit only a five piece Ludwig since 1974. I'm looking for an electronic kit

[@ronaldsimmons4703]

By the way, I'm not related to the Simmons Drum Company

[@KeithronPowell]

😂….

[@KeithronPowell]

Well, I love mine. I wish I had more time to practice though

[@czemail]

A Simmons SD350 kit was just given to me. Is there any way to upgrade the Crash cymbal to choke?  is this feature located in the drum module, cymbal pad or both?

[@KeithronPowell]

Unfortunately not. That’s not a feature of that drum. To get that you need to get Titan 50 or SD600

[@ashgarcia8]

I found this set for $199 today, it will be played by my first time 8yo son...this was a great review. Can another kick drum be purchased to replace this one?

[@KeithronPowell]

Yes but…. BUT…. If I were you I’d let him learn on this one. Like I said… it will build that muscle. If you’re a seasoned drummer it will be annoying but to learn… I’d suggest this every time

[@TheGamingPikachu525]

Ok so this was purchased for my daughter for her birthday and I can not figure out how to get it to make sound. Do you have to have something specific to be able to hear the drums? Please help I know absolutely nothing about drums.

[@KeithronPowell]

Ok… imma say stuff that’ll sound silly… 1) check the volume. 2) be sure it’s all plugged in and turned on. 3) are you using headphones? It doesn’t have speakers. 4) buy some headphones or speakers. 5) buy the cable to plug it to the speakers…

[@scottnelle]

It looks like Simmons sells their KP2 mesh kick tower for $80. Maybe that's an upgrade option for this kit.

[@KeithronPowell]

Really? That’s good to know

[@456yukon]

Simmons KP1 is 39 and is compatible with the 350

[@drumbitious_mirna6999]

@@456yukon u cant play double pedal with kp1

[@Snulge]

I just got this because I decided I wanted to learn drumming. I laughed super hard at what you said about the pedal because I was like "damn is it supposed to be this hard to push down? My leg hurts". It's doing well for me but it seems to have a huge lack of preset sounds that the other sets have. Can i download more to it? What was the app you were talking about?

[@KeithronPowell]

😂😂😂😂

[@KeithronPowell]

Simmons has an app that works with the drums... it’s really great but when you combine the drums and app with the new amplified speakers... 🤦🏽‍♂️OMG!

[@Snulge]

@@KeithronPowell Thank you! I'm going to check it out. I am HYPER addicted to drums. As someone with ADHD this is my medicine!

[@donnythompson408]

Your thoughts on the kick pedal on this kit were exact to my own. Poorly responsive, it feels “mushy” under my foot, it has too much play in the tension, and that can’t be adjusted… I tried playing a half time shuffle on the kit, (similar to Toto’s “Roseanna” or Steely Dan’s “Home At Last”) and the kick pedal was so unresponsive, that I couldn’t get it to consistently trigger 16th notes regardless of how I adjusted the sensitivity/threshold on the brain, or much I tried to physically compensate with an alternate foot style. I don’t mind the other pads, I found them to be decently responsive, and nicely dynamic, they recognize flams, and they react decently to grace notes and ghost sticking as well. I will say that I liked how quickly the kit interfaced with the drum sample libraries I have in my DAW program; each pad immediately played the right instrument in the assigned VSTi drum track; I didn’t have to adjust anything in that regard. I also acknowledge that this is an entry level kit, and that we get what we pay for… But that kick pedal…man, it’s bloody awful. As a side note, can a better Simmons kick pedal (or any other manufacturer’s kick pedal) be used on this kit? It would seem so, as long as the jack/connection on it is the standard 1/4” as this one is… FWIW

[@KeithronPowell]

First off… EXACTLY! 😂😂😂 it’s great for beginners to build strength but for experienced drummers it’s frustrating. Yes, as long as the Jack is the same, which they all are, it will work.

[@donnythompson408]

@@KeithronPowell - ya know, Keithron, after searching online yesterday for other pedal/trigger units, and reading reviews of various models, I’ve come to the conclusion that my best bet is to pick up a Simmons KP2 pad/trigger “tower”, and use my actual kick drum pedal with it, a dual-chain drive Yamaha that came with my Yamaha acoustic kit that I bought years ago. Now, the one possible hiccup remaining, is how well the kick PAD itself will trigger. Because I haven’t yet picked up a KP2, I don’t know how well it will work, especially for those faster double strike 16th notes I mentioned in my previous comment. Oh, one thing I did find out, and is apparently the suggestions of many drummers using mesh head kick pads, is that the kick beater should be plastic, and not felt…apparently, felt beaters can be abrasive on mesh heads, and over time it can wear down the mesh, reducing the sensitivity of the pad. Anyhooo… if you want, I can post back here after I’ve had a chance to use a KP2 with my regular kick pedal, and let you know the results. (Or, you may have already used a kick pad with a regular kick pedal yourself, and are already aware of the results…in which case, can you please share your thoughts about it?) Thanks again for posting your video. It was very helpful. I’ve liked and subscribed. 😊 🙏

[@KeithronPowell]

@@donnythompson408 awesome! So here’s what I know. 1) the simmons kick you’re thinking of getting will do well. It will pick up all the notes you want to play. You can even add double bass pedals if you want. 2) agreed use the plastic beater. Felt can also cause you to miss hits imo over time as it gets softer. The odd thing is that most of us old guys used to put a quarter behind the pad that we put on acoustic bass drums to get the feedback and thump sound because the felt sounds mushy. The same concept of the plastic mallet. I don’t use felt on mine but if you go into Guitar Center you’ll see that most of the heads of e-drums are destroyed or frayed… and likely they’re using the felt side. I know there’s a busted Alesis Strike Pro at my local one. I mean the entire head is busted and frayed. Good luck and I look forward to hearing back from your experience.

[@donnythompson408]

@@KeithronPowell thanks, Keithron. Great info about the pad handling the nuance kick strikes. Thanks again! 😊🙏

[@XxTheIOSGAMERxX]

i saw the issue with the kick pedal, are we able to buy another one off amazon or somewhere online and connect it to these drums and work?

[@KeithronPowell]

Yes 👍🏽 you can’t replace the pedal

[@XxTheIOSGAMERxX]

@@KeithronPowell ah okay thanks that’s want i wanted to figure out, if i could replace the pedal with a different one from online

[@AP530]

The sd350 on sale for $199 + kp pedal $39. Im thinking of buying these. Would you recommend this kit with new kick pedal for recording in room or is the kit not reliable and breaks after a few months in ur opinion? Do u think alesis nitro mesh a lot better quality and durability for $399? Thanks

[@KeithronPowell]

The nitro is better than the SD350…. The Titan 50 is light years ahead of the Nitro. If I’m recording in my room I’m going with the Titan 50 if $399 is within my budget. The Titan will make your life way easier and provide you with multiple things you will need all in one package. In the video I just shared I forgot to mention it’s also a USB Audio Interface. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGK6YpWnnKyGjbM

[@AP530]

@@KeithronPowell i ordered the sd350 from musiciansfriend yesterday for $199. Today they cancelled it saying they sold out. I only want the sd350 since its small in size and i have a small room. Im not sure if the nitro or other ekits will take up too much space. Any chance youll sell ur sd350? Im never buying from m.f. again

[@KeithronPowell]

@@AP530 I didn’t keep that 350 in the video. I gave it back.

[@EricLDC]

Bought a Simmons SD Xpress no sound from built in speaker. But does it have one or is that just air holes? Head phones or speakers work hooked up. Just fine

[@KeithronPowell]

Responded to your other post of same question

[@EricLDC]

Ok I'll look

[@EricLDC]

Hey thanks I had no idea

[@samuelbrown7663]

Hoping to find some answers,I'm a guitar player looking to get an electronic kit to play on ,found a set but there's no pedals .Are these specific to the brand and model or will any pedal /kick pad do ? Thanks everyone

[@KeithronPowell]

All brands do the same thing. Typically if the drum is over say $900 it will not have a pedal. You can use any pedal with them though. My Simmons SD600 came with a pedal $600 set… the SD1250 and the Alesis Crimson II which are both $1100 had no pedal. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@TheGuitargary]

Get a extension cable for headphones and run cable behind you.

[@KeithronPowell]

Of course that’s the answer but still bad design….but if you use the app… you can go wireless

[@carmelitahernandez79]

Which headphones work best? The ones we have don’t produce much sound.

[@KeithronPowell]

Which work best? Wow that’s a long answer… let me ask this, what is your headphone budget? I use the Sterling S400 from Guitar Center but that is such a loaded question.

[@EricLDC]

Hey sorry to bother you on Two different videos. Thought I got ripped off lol thanks for clarification.

[@KeithronPowell]

😂😂😂

[@charlessloan1809]

Great review, I'll look into the 600 series. Thanks

[@KeithronPowell]

Let me know what you think

[@apriltreakle4034]

how do I get the sd500 kit to sounds like a normal drum instead of weird sounds?

[@KeithronPowell]

I’ve never seen a SD500 did you mean SD600? The question is are you talking about live session or recording?

[@larryklos5081]

PLAY IT!

[@KeithronPowell]

😂😂

[@emwilliams97]

Simmons sd600 mesh pad works for simmons sd350 just buy acoustic plastic beater foot

[@KeithronPowell]

True

[@emwilliams97]

@@KeithronPowell what headphones do you use for ekits

[@babyjoker997]

Just found someone selling it for 150, I’m very much new

[@KeithronPowell]

For that price it’s a deal

[@joegraham9295]

Can you replace the pedal with a different kind?

[@KeithronPowell]

Yes

[@chrisandrade14]

Can u hook up a powered monitor to it / in the head jack to get the live sound ...

[@KeithronPowell]

You can do that and you don’t have to connect it in the headphone Jack. You can plug into the left/right outputs for that.

[@deddrz2549]

Is the titan 20 better than this one?

[@KeithronPowell]

They are about the same. They have the same pedal. The 20 is easier to build. The sounds are about the same.

[@drumlifegame18]

Can it connect to air pods

[@KeithronPowell]

Yes!!!! Using the app. If I recall properly. I know on the SD600 and above can

[@SO-bp2uc]

Is the kick drum pedal replaceable? Could you upgrade it at a later time?

[@KeithronPowell]

I’ve looks for different parts at www.simmonsdrums.net And I didn’t see that but you likely can just buy the other kick pads they have listed.

[@SO-bp2uc]

@@KeithronPowell thanks for the reply!

[@al959]

!!

[@KeithronPowell]

.

[@luisestrada181]

You are funny

[@KeithronPowell]

Thanks