Cherry Audio KR-55C Drum Machine

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.

Unlike sample-based instruments, Cherry Audio has emulated the Rhythm 55's tones through analog modeling. The Instrument Edit panel allows extensive parameter editing like tuning and EQ for each instrument, enabling a range of sonic possibilities far surpassing the original. The Mixer and Effects sections allow for separate processing of each sound, with features including panning, mute/solo, overdrive, flanger/chorus, delay, and reverb. It also includes a bus compressor and limiter for master amplitude control. KR-55C offers DAW-friendly features such as auto-sync, drag-and-drop MIDI export, individual outputs, and complete automation capabilities.
The original KR-55 was introduced in 1979 as a replacement for the simpler Mini Pops 35 and Mini Pops 120 drum machines. Although all of these models were preset-only with no option for user-programmed rhythms, the KR-55 represented a significant advancement. In 1982, the updated KR-55B version was released that came with a sleek new design and doubled the internal pattern memory. 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, Fad Gadget, Soft Cell, Cabaret Voltaire, Jean-Michel Jarre, and most famously in Joe Jackson's 1982 hit "Steppin' Out."

KR-55C FEATURES

• Includes all 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