Simmons SDS-V

The Simmons SDS-V (or Simmons SDS-5 or Simmons Drum Synthesizer) was the first proper electronic drum system, released by Simmons Electronics in 1981. Consisting of hexagonal drum pads which trigger a Analog synth drum module known as the 'Drum Brain', it became incredibly popular amongst musicians in the 1980s.

Stewart Copeland caught onto the Simmons SDS-V in 1983, which he included in his drum setup for the Synchronicity tour the same year. He used just two of the drum pads to trigger the Drum Brain for additional effects. However, Stewart disliked the feel of the pads (specifically the hard surface), and neither were they durable enough for his hard drum playing. So he opted to switch back to using two TAMA supplementary tom-toms triggering the TAMA DS-200 drum synth for the rest of the tour.

Of note, he also had a rare 'Simmons Suitcase kit' which was probably gifted to him at some stage, as seen in photos from the Worried Rabbit in 1983. It was listed and sold via Reverb.com online auction in 2017.