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| Joe Monroe band 1984 |
SD Systems 1981-2006
Early in the eighties SD Systems decided to try solving an old problem: how should a sax player in a rockband manage to project the sound of his horn over the dominant group sound? No mike existed which would offer sufficient quality and without limiting the freedom of movement of the player. The fact SD designers were sax players themselves was of great advantage for the development of the mike.
A Leightweight Condenser Microphone, which could be directly attached to the bell of the sax by means of an adaptable mounting system -the legendary LCM85- was born. With it, total freedom of movement on stage finally came, as well as an end to those ever dominating guitars. Serge Schrier, present director of SD Systems, was playing in the rock circuit, at the time where he met Rob Dugour, guitarist and sax player. SD Systems was established in 1981. Actually they were musicians, earning a living elsewhere during daytime, performing in the evening and in between developing equipment in the garage.
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| Joe Monroe band 1984 |
Initially they were chiefly engaged with custom-made equipment for specialist professional users. Thanks to contacts in the music world, the client's wishes could be directly translated into technical terms. Stereo guitar amps (revolutionary in those times) and modular 19" mixers were marketed in small series.
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| the first 19" rackmount mixer ! |
During 1985, the highly specialist
knowledge thus acquired was put to use in the development of the
LCM85.
In a certain way the
LCM85 meant a fresh start: with the complete concentration of
existing manufacturers on voice mikes and studio mikes, a gap in
the market was discovered. In those days the LCM85 was still made
in a very primitive way: the housing of the capsule consisted of
a male-XLR plug with four hand drilled holes in the sides, and to
shield the capsules they used mosquito screen which happened to
lie in the attic.. The capsules had to be sorted individually
with 75% dropping out due to great variation in quality at that
time. A very time-consuming job because it had to be done by ear
holding the sax in their hand. 
In 1986 the first mike system for drums was designed: the
LCM90.With its integrated power supply and easily fitting
mounting system, gripping the rim of any drum, this mike also
turned out to satisfy users' expectations to the model after
another, tailored to optimal amplification of each different
fullest. One new LCM instrument, was offered to the market.
Meanwhile the competition's attention was attracted. Thanks to
annual participation in the Frankfurter Messe they quickly picked up ideas: two years after the
introduction of the LCM85, Ramsa (Japan) came with a mike system
for sax and drums. In 1987 Shure developed the SM98 with a very
primitive mounting system. In 1988 AKG introduced the minimike
series. In the USA Countryman was introduced. Copies were made
with enthousiasm: in 1990, Beyer introduced a system which looks
close to AKG.
Basic mistakes were made in the design of many of these models: the strong sound rumbles from the sax keys were striking, just as a wrong mike-position, bad frequency characteristics in the high range, the design of the preamp, feedback and instable mounting on the instrument.
All the mikes in the LCM series are characterized by a unique mounting system and superior sound reproduction which is pure and natural and very clear in the high ranges. For each application special high-quality condenser elements are selected, whose characteristics are exactly tailored to their specific use. The LCM89 model for example is favoured by many jazz sax players, because during low volumes the patented elastic hangup of the element almost totally eliminates sound rumbles from the keys.
SD has built up a worldwide network of endorsers, in classical as well as in jazz and rock music. This gives
a lot of feedback so they know exactly what the needs are. Right now in Holland
and Germany, SD is doing the representation direct. This has the great advantage
that through these direct lines the retailers' and customers' wishes can be
honored more quickly. In order to get firm footing in the US, SD has strongly
exerted theirselves to enter the American market. Rayburn Music in Boston was
the first shop to sell SD mikes. Now, thanks to the introduction of a revolutionary
and ingenious low cost model, the SX-1 sax mike and the High Power LDM94 model that is especially developed for the US market, the
American interest is increasing. Many Americans play with enormous sound pressure
because of the 'power' mouthpieces which are fashionable over there. A shame,
because combining older mouthpieces with an LCM89 mike the dynamic range is
higher and variation in sound is easier!
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In the meanwile, many endorsements are settled with great musicians. Serge Schrier : " It started with Emilio Lyons' visit at the Frankfurt fair. Lyons is a famous saxophone repairer who works for Rayburn Music, Boston: he 'nurses' the instruments of nearly all the great musicians on the American Jazz scene. about: he introduced us to Stan Getz in 1987. Getz became SD's first major endorser. I've been in touch with him often, an extraordinary kind and charming man. His death shocked us. I myself have been a Jazz fanatic since I was fifteen. It was a great honour to personally meet nearly all my great idols from those days, either at the North Sea Jazz festival in The Hague or at our place. We have developed a personal relationship with them. Americans -however famous- have always been very pleasant and are always receptive to new ideas ! " |
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SD Systems has its base in Amsterdam, Holland.
Their new premises are located near the beautiful old centre of town.Right
now, more than 22 different systems are in production. All this has been
made possible mainly by new facilities which they now have at their disposal.
At first place new premises have made it possible to make development
and assembly more efficient. |
Parts
are ordered at the right time in the right amount to arrive when they are
necessary. This reduces the need to keep stock, cost efficient. Most models and parts are hand made. All parts are tested exhaustively in the several stages. Products leave the factory in perfect condition. |
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| At this moment SD
Systems is being distributed in about 25 countries, the quality and number of the distributors
are still increasing. There are great plans for the future, for example,
to extend the range to all stringed instruments, building studio microphones and special wireless systems. A new section has just been set up which will occupy itself with making small series of 'custom made' systems like for example mikes for (contra-)bassoons, bass-clarinets and others. |
 manufacture
housing LCM89 |