KORG: RHYTHM - KR-55 & KR-55B INFO PAGE:
Date = 1979		Country = Japan		Type = Analogue
Drum Voices = 10		Rhythms = 48 (Preset) + 16 intro/fills		Rhythm Combining = No
Date = 1982		Country = Japan		Type = Analogue
Drum Voices = 10		Rhythms = 96 (Preset) + 32 intro/fills		Rhythm Combining = No
		After the last of the Mini Pops series was released in 1976, Korg introduced a new range of KR (Korg Rhythm) machines in 1979. There were initially two machines available, the KR-33 and the KR-55. These were essentially the same machine with the exception of the KR-33 having no individual voice level controls or intros and fills (see below).
		The KR was absolute cutting edge technology at the time, (bearing in mind that Roland had yet to come up with their CR-5000 and CR-8000 CompuRhythms). These new Korg sounds were a completely fresh in '79. The hi-hats and cymbals had a very metallic sound and all of the voices had a sharp, (almost clicky) attack to them.
		What was also unique was the fact that a small mixer was included on the KR-55 that enabled you to control the level of all the voices through six sub-grouped channels. The sheer number of presets was also unprecedented. There were 16 sections, each holding three patterns (A, B & C) and each section had a unique one bar intro and a fill that would trigger anywhere in the rhythm where you tapped the button (or pushed the footswitch). This meant that if you hit the fill at the start of the bar, you would get a whole bar fill-in or if you tapped it on the last quarter note, it would roll for just that quarter bar and then resume the main beat. Another first was the inclusion of a variable "swing" control.
Clearly the '80s were almost upon us and the TR-808 and the Linndrum were just a small step away. It's amazing to think back to how fast technology was changing at this time. In five short years we went from the lovely old "thump hiss" organ accompaniment boxes to the birth of hip-hop and techno.
KR-55 Rhythm Panel			KR-33
By 1982 Korg decided to update the KR-55 and due to rapidly expanding IC capacity were able to double the amount of memory for the same price. The KR-55B in its new dark grey box with a colour scheme and pots lifted straight off the MonoPoly / Polysix synths, now offered 96 rhythms, 32 intro's and 32 fill-ins. Fortunately for us collectors, there is very little duplication of the patterns either. It would have been easy to make it a KR-55 Plus but in fact, a lot of the rhythms with similar names are reprogrammed with subtle differences.
KR-55B Rhythm Panel			KR-55B
The KR-55 is now best known as the drum machine from Depeche Mode's "Speak & Spell" album (1981) and also saw action with Cabaret Voltaire, replacing their old E-Harmonix DRM-32. It has a very different sound to the Roland machines of that era. The kick, whilst not quite as boomy as a Roland, can (with the right EQ) blow out a lung if you're not careful and some of the percussion voices kill something like the CR-8000 dead!
Sample Pack Info:
Recycle RX2 Loops:			Single drum hits (WAV):
The KR-55 sample set contains 57 four bar loops containing all 48 preset rhythms and 16 one bar intro's. Also included are a further 9 sub-mix loops. The KR-55B sample set is the largest we have ever made. It contains 147 four bar loops of all 96 preset rhythms, 64 one bar loops of all 32 intro's and 32 fills plus a further 51 sub-mixed loops (crazy huh?).			The KR-55 set contains an unbelievable 208 individual drum hits: 32 Kicks, 48 Snares, 64 Hi-Hat/Cymbals and 64 percussion sounds. The KR-55B set does not contain any drum hits as the sounds are identical to the KR-55.
What's so special about these sample packs? Quite simply, there isn't anywhere on the internet or in any commercial sample library where you can get this stuff. We made these samples because nobody else has.
All Dubsounds sample packs are sampled directly from our own drum machines. They are definitely NOT ripped from sample CD's, unlike many you see on Ebay at the moment, (which is a bit sad). All the rhythms are recorded directly into Pro-Tools from the machine's audio output and are not equalised, compressed or effected in any way. We want you to have the closest thing to the real machine as possible but with the added benefits of seamless integration into your VST host. The only thing we have done is to CAREFULLY remove any unwanted electrical noise and hum present in the signal, (if required) and taking extreme care to avoid damaging the delicate percussive transients. These samples were made for our own use first and foremost!
	Korg Rhythm KR-55 - 73 loops - 208 hits - (48Mb download) £ 14.00
	Korg Rhythm KR-55B - 211 loops - (HUGE 125Mb download) £ 18.00
Please note:
Before buying; please make sure that you have read the information on the drum sounds intro page