KR-55C

Cherry Audio's KR-55C is a supercharged, best-of-both-worlds software emulation that combines features from two lesser-known drum machines of the post-punk era: Korg's "Rhythm 55" KR-55A and KR-55B. KR-55C boasts all the rhythms from both models, for a total of 240 factory patterns, intros, and fills. Additionally, it adds 200 original patterns and kits that cover a wider range of genres. KR-55C's user interface shifts based on whether the A or B model is selected and includes extra pages that let this beatbox "step out" even further. It features a familiar X0X-style 16-button layout for step-editing and real-time pattern programming, as well as a song mode for chaining up to 99 patterns.

Korg's "Rhythm 55," also known as the KR-55, was introduced in 1979 as a replacement for the simpler Mini Pops 35 and Mini Pops 120 machines. Although all of these models were preset-only with no option for user-programmed rhythms, the KR-55 represented a significant advancement. It featured 48 preset rhythms, 16 intro patterns, and 16 fill patterns. The flexible mixer section allowed users to easily mute or solo individual drum sounds, creating countless variations of the preprogrammed rhythms. Legendary early synth-pop producer Daniel Miller effectively utilized this on early Depeche Mode and Fad Gadget albums, where the KR-55 provided most of the percussion sounds while an ARP2600 synthesizer supplied the kick drums, triggered via the KR-55.

In 1982, Korg released the updated KR-55B version. This version came with a sleek new design and doubled the internal pattern memory to include 96 preset rhythms, 32 intro patterns, and 32 fill patterns. The patterns and fills were also revised, with very few identical patterns shared between the KR-55A and KR-55B. The KR-55 has been used by many artists, including Depeche Mode and Fad Gadget, as well as Soft Cell, Cabaret Voltaire, Jean-Michel Jarre, and most famously in Joe Jackson's 1982 hit "Steppin' Out."

KR-55C Features:

• Includes all of the original preset rhythms from both the KR-55A and the KR-55B, resulting in a total of 240 factory patterns, intros, and fills.

• 200 additional rhythm and sound presets, including new kits of instruments matched and tuned to specific genres, with patterns that demonstrate each of the sounds in sequence.
• Instrument panel for mild or extreme sound editing with Parametric EQ, Tone, Tune, and Decay settings for each instrument.
• Familiar X0X-style 16- or 24-step pattern programming.
• Flexible pattern and instrument copy-and-paste capabilities.
• Swing percentage setting.
• Real-time step entering via Trigger button.
• Unlike original, all sounds are independently addressable in user pattern mode.
• Easy to use Song Mode with up to 99 patterns and 99 steps per song.
• External MIDI sound triggering with velocity sensitivity and user-assignable note mapping.
• Mixer panel with independent level, pan, and solo/mute for each instrument.
• Effects Routing Matrix with easy-to-use toggle buttons to apply effects to individual instruments in any combination.
• Effects panel with studio-quality effects for separate processing of each instrument sound, including overdrive, flanger/chorus, delay, and reverb.
• Effects panel also includes a colorful and fun global master compressor and a global bus limiter.
• Drag-and-drop export function allows simple mouse-drag conversion of patterns to DAW MIDI tracks (plug-in version) or Standard MIDI Files on the desktop (standalone version).
• Individual outs plug-in version for independent processing of each instrument in a DAW.
• Super accurate DAW sync.
• User-adjustable oversampling control.
• Complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI learn and mapping (Preset and Global).
• Cherry Audio's popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize via drag.
• Complete documentation available directly online from the instrument or in downloadable PDF format.

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