Nagging his parents since he could walk, Simon Ayton got hooked on drumming early and finally got his first kit at the age of 11 and never looked back. While studying electronics and fascinated by electronic music technology, he saved to buy a Roland Octapad, and R8 drum machine in 1989 and decades later, Simon is now the V-Drums product specialist and product manager for Roland Australia and still owns both original instruments! 

Working closely with some of his drum heroes together with the Roland V-Drum team in Japan, Simon helped develop many of the unique technical features, sounds and factory kit patches for all of the V-Drums kits since 2008.  

40 years of international-level playing and sound production across radio, film and theatre heavily influence his sound which aims to excite and transport the player somewhere special. Some examples are user favourites "More Cowbell" on the TD-17 and"Moonwalk" on the TD-50. This last one acts as both a tribute to a major inspiration, The Police and also his staple "project" kit patch he uses to learn the ins and outs of any new sound engine. 

Simon's infectious passion for sound and drumming has gained him many like-minded friends and a reputation as the guy the pros and enthusiasts call on. Many sounds in the kits are from his personal drum collection that he loves to be able to share with drummers worldwide.