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Boss Dr Rhythm Dr-55

Boss Dr Rhythm Dr-55 Dr Rhythm Dr-55
Model Boss Dr Rhythm Dr-55
Type Drum Machine
Synthesis Analog
Manufactured 1979
Quantity
Our Serial 079200
Polyphony 4 voices
Oscillators 4 VCO
Filters VCF
Memory 8 patterns with 3 different hihat; 16th, 8th and no hihat
Keyboard -
Sound Smooth analog
Good for Analog drums
Less good for Acoustic drums
Miscellaneous no Midi, but can be synchronized via DBS

 

BACKGROUND

Boss Dr Rhythm Dr-55 was the first drum machine from Roland with the name Boss 1979. The retail price list for a Dr-55 was back in January 1st 1982 $195. Dr-55 became the original for all Dr Rhythm machines!

 

DESCRIPTION

Dr-55 has four sounds, one mono output and can be controlled with control pulses from outside (DBS or CSQ). DR-55 is powered by4 1,5 battery (6V).

Dr-55 has three programmable analog sounds:
  • Snare
  • Rimshot
  • Bassdrum

It also has a fourth pre-programmed sound:
  • Hihat
The hihat is pre-programmed in 3 modes:
  • No Hihat
  • 8th
  • 16th

Rhythm patterns can be saved on 8 presets:
  • 6 patterns with 8th and 16th quantized notes
  • 2 patterns with 12th quantize notes

 

There are controllers for:
  • Volume (master volume)
  • Tempo
  • Toneo-cntrol (common filter)
  • Accent
  • Start
  • Stop

Dr55 - left

TRIGGERS

There are two 8th inch jacks triggers:

  • DBS Jack 1/8" pulse +5v, 8ms - used on Roland gear that handle triggers
  • CSQ Jack 1/8" pulse +4v, 10ms - used by Roland stuff that isn't made any more (the 100M sequencer?). CSQ = Computer SeQuencer

A trigger is sent on every 16th note for which you've programmed an accent.

There is also a Foot switch 1/4" for FS1

Dr55 - right

VIRTUAL DR-55

Play on a DR-55 - online from www.keyboardmuseum.com:
Virtual Boss Dr Rhythm DR-55

 

ORIGINAL PATTERNS PATTERNS

DR-55 MANUAL

 

 

Dr Rhythm Dr-55 Our Dr rhythm Dr-55

 

 

REVEWS

From June 1980 Keyboard Magazine:

"The Boss DR-55 Dr. Rhythm is a compact programmable rhythm unit. It allows you to program six 16-step rhythms and two 12-step rhythms. Each of these rhythms can contain up to three independently programmed percussion sounds: snare, rim shot, and bass drum. To these can be added programmed accents and hi-hat. The programming is done with two controls. One produces a beat and the other produces a rest, as the rhythm is moved through its 16- or 12-step cycle. An accent knob controls the volume of the accents added to the program, and a tempo control varies the speed of the playback. The start/stop function can be activated by a remote foot switch, and a jack is provided for synchronizing the Dr. Rhythm with a digital sequencer. The unit is battery powered. The rhythms remain intact in memory when the unit is turned on and off and even while batteries are being changed. Price is $199.50."

Boss Our Dr Rhythm Dr-55
Our Dr Rhythm Dr-55

SAMPLES

Complete kit from Dr-55, with Kick, Snare, Rimshot & HiHat.
Format: Wav, mono, 44.1 K

 

LINKS

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