Back in the late '70s, the original SDS-3 was released which became one of the first drum synthesizers to appear on the market. And what a drum synth it was. With the ability to trigger effects with any audio signal, the original SDS-3 could effectively turn any mic'd up drum into a cool percussion synth instrument.
SDS-3 is an authentic reproduction of the original circuitry from the '70s which means it's got all the same quirks and characteristics that so many musicians loved with the original release, but Behringer naturally had to update some features to make it compatible with lots of various modern setups.
SDS-3 features 4 identical drum channels that have controls for adjusting different elements of a beat. You can add a click at the start of a sound (similar to a stick hitting a drum), adjust decay, bend a note up or down, change the pitch of a signal coming through as well as the range of LFO and effects from the Master/Effects section. The most fun way of triggering the channels is by mic-ing up a drum to each of the channels and just playing. The inputs are even velocity sensitive and responsive to your playing dynamics.
Specifications Synthesizer Architecture
Number of voices: 4 x monophonic
Type: Analog
Oscillators: 4 self-oscillating diode ladder filters / 4 x white noise
LFO: 1 LFO
RUN: 1 S&H
Connectivity
Power switch: Push button (rear panel)
MIDI In: 5-pin DIN
MIDI Thru: 5-pin DIN
USB: USB 2.0 Type B socket
Audio outputs: 3.5 mm TS jack (mix) / 4 x 3.5 mm TS jack channel outs
6.35 mm (1/4") TS jack (rear panel)
Microphone Inputs: 4 x 3.5 mm TS jack
Microphone Outputs: 4 x 3.5 mm TS jack
Pitch Pedal input: 1 x 3.5 mm TRS jack / 1 x 6.35 mm (1/4") TRS jack (rear panel)
Decay Kill input: 1 x 6.35 mm TS (1/4") jack (rear panel)
USB
Type: Class compliant USB 2.0 Type B
Supported Operating Systems
Windows 7 or higher
Mac OS 10.10 or higher
Master/Effects Section
Controls: Master Output
Overall Pitch
LFO Rate
Run Time
Switches: LFO Range (Slow/Fast)
LFO Shape (Square/Sine)
LFO On/Off
Run On/Off
Channels
Controls: Channel level x 4
Impact Click x 4
Decay Time x 4
Bend Level x 4
Mic Sensitivity x 4
Pitch x 4
Balance x 4
Effect Range x 4
Switches: Mic On/Off x 4
Pitch Up/Down x 4
LFO On/Off x 4
Run On/Off x 4
Power Requirements
Voltage: 12 V DC
PSU: 1000 mA
Current Draw: 800 mA (+12 V Eurorack)
