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.

Recur

August 1, 2009 @ 12:35 pm

This is used in The Cure - One Hundred Years. Do you hear the rim shot? Fantastic.

Chris

June 11, 2009 @ 1:22 pm

fuzzbomb: The Sister Of Mercy's first single, Damage Done, featured live drums from Andrew Eldritch. The DR-55 was used on the follow up single, Body Electric.

Anvard Davissen: New Order used an Oberheim DMX for the drumbeat in "Blue Monday". The songbook from Factory Records even included a handwritten message saying how they came up with the drumbeat thanks to the Oberheim scrambling its memory, complete with a doodle of the DMX.

Anvard Davissen

June 4, 2009 @ 8:40 pm

Only one star from the VSE? This created the jackhammer beat for 'Blue Monday'!! H-How dare they!

fuzzbomb

April 30, 2009 @ 7:03 am

yep, this was the very first "Dr. Avalanche" Sisters of Mercy used on their first record

youknowjuno

March 5, 2009 @ 6:32 am

Here's a little tip: remove the plastic harness that contains the AA batteries and plug a 9 volt battery in. Dunno how it does it but it trashes the sounds right up and makes the snare sound like a 909!!

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