Forgotten Keys

The Hardware

The Korg Rhythm 55 (AKA KR-55) is an analogue drum machine released in 1979. It is perhaps less orientated towards the organ player than other models of that era featuring a relatively large array of Rock, Pop and Disco rhythms. There are in fact 48 rhythm patterns together with 16 Intro and 16 Fill-in patterns. Unlike earlier diode-matrix drum machines, patterns cannot be combined on the KR-55. Actually this is not quite true, if a rhythm is combined with a 3/4 or 5/4 pattern then it will take on a 3/4 or 5/4 time signature.

The KR-55 has 12 sounds and of particular note are the cymbal and high-hats which have a very metallic ring to them and are more realistic compared to other analogue machines yet still unmistakeably synthesized. The Congas and Toms have a slight downward pitch as they decay adding more realism and the Toms have filtered noise which adds a subtle almost room reverb effect to them. The sounds also have a definite ‘click’ at the start which adds a bit of percussive attack.

This may have been the first drum machine to have an adjustable Swing control that alters the feel of the rhythms. It can be used on just the three Swing rhythms or switched to affect all rhythms. It works on some better than others but certainly expands the range of available triplet swing patterns significantly.

The KR-55 has some strange quirks particularly when it comes to the Intro/Fill-in feature. Pressing the Fill-in button during the last half of the second bar will play the equivalent beat(s) from the Intro pattern allowing more variety. The exception to this is the 5/4 Beat rhythms which use the same pattern for Intro and Fill. Combining a 5/4 rhythm with, say, a rock rhythm will play the Rock rhythm in a 5/4 time signature as mentioned. However, the Intro will now use the Fill-in pattern except for the fifth beat which will play the first beat of the Intro pattern (still with me?). Re-creating these machines for kontakt accurately can be quite challenging!

The Kontakt Instrument

Details of the Kontakt Instrument and how to purchase it are here. Essentially it is a re-creation of the real thing so most of the description above is relevant. However, please contact me if you have any questions.