Vintage Synth Explorer

Korg • Rhythm 55 (KR-55 & KR-55b)

The KR55 was, for its time (1979), an advanced preset rhythm drum machine with up to 96 preset rhythm patterns! These patterns cover the whole gamut of presets (Waltz, Samba, Rhumba, Bossa Nova, Tango, Slow Rock, Swing, Rock, etc.). The KR55 also featured a "swing beat" control to add a variation to the groove. Each drum sound's level can be individually adjusted for each pattern. It can also be externally controlled via footswitch jack for the Start/Stop and Intro/Fill switches. The KR55B was a black-chassis version released a few years later in 1982 with twice as many rhythm patterns. It has been used by Jean-Michel Jarre, Trio and Depeche Mode.

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Analogue Crazy

Posted 308 days ago

Depeche Mode used a KR-55 for the drums on the 'Some Bizzare' version of 'Photographic'. Very distinctive sounding drum machine, with its mettalic sounding hi-hats.

abe

Posted 351 days ago

Hmm .. seems like anything that doesnt have midi gets rated down by this site ....Hook up this baby to your other premidi synths through the trigger out get on stage and play live .

[beep] ingoldman

Posted 395 days ago

The swing on/off button of the 55 is in the 55B integrated in the swing poti as push/pull button. In that place the 55B has the A/B Button.

hector

Posted 429 days ago

I highly recommend picking up one of these if you see one, great, great sound, sure, you can't program them, but there's enough presets to choose from all with individual instrument volume control to suit taste. Nice and crisp hats and disco style patterns all triggering your korg synth too. I have the KR-55B model which apparently has twice the presets than the first model, which I'm not sure about seeing how visually they have the identical amount of buttons/knobs on the front? Any ideas?

bill

Posted 462 days ago

it may be limited but it has its charm.
i mean it has been sampled to death and despite its lack of programabiltiy it has seen new life in the last decade .

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