Product

Korg Rhythm KR-55

Always a favourite here. Great for jamming on with the variations and fills. In good working order. Has...

Select Currency

You missed it!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Always a favourite here. Great for jamming on with the variations and fills.

In good working order. Has some wear and signs of age but nothing that affects the operation of the unit.

For sales in UK/EU the price will include VAT. VAT-free sales are possible to businesses and individuals in the EU (outside the UK) with a valid VAT Number – please get in touch if you wish to buy this way.

  • It is a 100v Japanese model and will run fine on North American mains 115/120v without a transformer (we run all our tests using 120v power); however, a step-down transformer is recommended for extended use.
  • A step-down transformer is required in the UK/EU.
  • We do not recommend using cheap generic Chinese mains transformers and can supply a high quality UK-made unit if required. 

These are great drum machines – 48 rhythm patterns (plus intros and fills) which can also be tweaked by the swing parameter, opening up a huge variety of different rhythms. It features a trig out for analogue synths/sequncers. Sonically all-analogue and good and meaty: see YouTube demo below (not this exact machine, same model – with thanks to the uploader):

It is in perfect working order – all pots move smoothly and noiselessly and all pots, switches and knobs function exactly as they should. (It is always possible with vintage equipment that crackly pots/sliders may develop over time when equipment has not been used – even during shipping – this can usually be easily rectified either by a few turns or in extreme cases, with suitable switch-cleaning spray).

Condition is scruffy scuffs to the cream case and wear to the face. Click on the photos to zoom in.

From the Vintage Synth Explorer KR-55 page:

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.

 

 

Specifications:

  • Sounds – 12 Tones: Bass Drum, Snare Drum, HiHat x 2, Cymbal, Low Conga, High Conga, Rim Shot, Claves, Cowbell, Tom Tom x 2
  • Patterns – KR55 – 48 Rhythm patterns: Waltz, Jazz Waltz, Rock, Ballad x 3, 5/4 Beat x 3, Mambo, Rumba, Beguine, Pops x 3, Rock x 12, Disco x 6, Foxtrot, Shuffle, March, Swing x3, Bossanova x3, Chacha, Samba, Afro, Enka, Tango, Habanera
  • 16 Intro Rhythms
  • 16 Fill-In Rhythms
  • KR-55B – 96 Rhythm patterns
  • Controls – Level for each Drum Sound, Tempo, Swing Beat, Start/Stop, Intro/Fill
  • Keyboard – None
  • Effects – None
  • Control – Start/Stop and Intro/Fill functions triggered by external footswitch 

RECENT BLOG ARTICLES

The Weird and the Wonderful – An Auction Update

The Weird and the Wonderful – An Auction Update

We can't stop here, this is bat country! Our next auction (November 22nd) features some head-turning, show-stopping synths, however we also wanted to put the spotlight...

PUBLISHED: 21st Nov 2023

DISCOVER MORE
Teaching Machines Wellspring Reverb Review

Teaching Machines Wellspring Reverb Review

Tony takes a dive into the new Welsh-made Wellspring Stereo Reverb and comes up with a very big smile on his face.

PUBLISHED: 17th Oct 2023

DISCOVER MORE

OUR GUARANTEE

We stand behind our gear with a guarantee of your satisfaction - see the FAQ section above for full details and buy with complete confidence.

SHIPPING DISCOUNTS

When buying more than one item you only pay the shipping on the item with the highest shipping cost. Calculated automatically at checkout.

NEED HELP?

Get in touch via the contact page. We know & love our gear and we want to ensure you get something that matches your needs (that, and we just like talking gear).

Select your currency