The DR-55 Dr. Rhythm was released in 1980 and was one of the first step-write-style drum machines, and it was the first rhythm machine in BOSS' successful Dr. Rhythm Series. It was small, inexpensive and easy to use - perfect for musicians at any level. Incredibly basic controls and sounds made this drum machine an instant hit among guitarists and other musicians looking for drum accompaniment to practice along with and even record into their home recordings.

The DR-55 could store up to six 16-step drum patterns plus an additional two 12-step patterns. The 12-step patterns allowed for 3/4 and 6/8 rhythms. A variation switch allowed you to, on-the-fly, alter the pattern playing. There were only four sounds in the DR-55 which included Snare Drum, Kick Drum, Rim Shot and Hi-Hat. The sounds are comparable to Roland's CR-series of rhythm machines as well as some of Roland's cheaper TR-machines (like the TR-505, TR-606). You can globally adjust the Volume, Tempo, Tone and Accent for the drum sounds.

Step-Mode programming was accomplished in a fairly basic manner: Switch the DR-55 into Write Mode and select a sound from the Sound switch, and use the Start button to place the sound and the Stop button to step through the 16 (or 12) beat pattern. Only Kick, Snare, Rim Shot and Accent could be placed in a pattern in step mode--the Hi-Hats could only be programmed as either Off, 8ths, 12ths or 16ths via the Hi-Hat switch. Primitive programming for sure, but very simple and effective.

Today, where its sounds can easily be sampled, the DR-55 may seem pretty useless. However it does have an authentic sense of nostalgia being BOSS' first DR-machine and also quite a successful early programmable drum machine. You may not find a need for such an instrument today although it does make a great conversation piece! It has been used by New Order, The Cure, Chris Carter, Sisters of Mercy, Chris & Cosey, Xeno & Oaklander, Soft Cell and Thomas Dolby.

DenDer Acid Cult Records

January 19, 2009 @ 9:46 am

I qoute: Today the DR-55 may seem pretty useless. Useless??? Well think again. I've taken this little boombox to the next level.
My DenDer55 is now equipt with midi sync in and out and has 10 additional pots on it which control:
BD Decay and Pitch, SD Pitch, RS Pitch and Resonance, HH Pitch, Decay and Volume, Full Accent and Noise control.
Further more there are trigger inputs for all the sounds incuding the HH. So now this nice HH is also programmable.
Also has separate outs for BD and RS still working on the SD and HH which have a noise circuit mixed in them.
For pictures take a look at my page www.acidcult.nl and for audio goto my myspace page for the song "Woofertesting" which is a BD work out of the DenDer55.
You can find a link to that on my homepage Acid Cult.

Graham

November 23, 2008 @ 5:30 am

I've still got my DR55, having bought it when they first came out. Whilst it doesn't get a great deal of use, I sometimes use it when I want to try some different rhythms - it is really quick to program. I can test things out and if they are worth working up, I then program into my DAW. I have tried an emulation and it did replicate the sounds of the DR55 pretty closely.

brianelectro

September 18, 2008 @ 6:53 pm

this drum machine was also used by the cocteau twins during the garlands era (they used this live buy ivo made them use an 808 on the album). this was also used by the cure on songs like carnage visors and one hundred years (more easily recognized on the peel session version without all the processing).

dPgn

September 16, 2008 @ 3:49 am

I've read Sisters of Mercy used this unit as well in their early records.

Carl Schmidt

September 4, 2008 @ 12:31 pm

The CSQ and DBS sync jacks are output voltages, meaning the DR-55 can drive clock pulses, but not receive them. The footswitch is the only input. Incorporating one into a modern studio is difficult because midi and PPQN based sync mods require a fair amount of work. It's a shame because it really is a great sounding analog drum machine, very similar to a TR-606.

<87654321>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (Required.)

Email Address: (Required, not published.)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

Posting Rules:
Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

I have read and understand the posting rules.