March 11, 2025 — Cherry Audio is excited to announce the release of its latest virtual drum machine, KR-55C. This feature-rich plugin modernizes the classic “Rhythm 55” KR-55A and KR-55B drum machines from the late 70s and early 80s, blending their beloved vintage charm with contemporary flexibility and advanced sound design capabilities. Available now for just $49 (not an introductory price) from cherryaudio.com and authorized resellers worldwide, KR-55C is designed to empower musicians, producers, and beatmakers with powerful groove-building tools at an unbeatable price.
Korg introduced the original KR-55 in 1979. This drum machine featured 48 preset rhythms with intro and fill patterns and flexible, though limited, mixer controls. In 1982, Korg released the KR-55B, which boasted a sleek new design and doubled the onboard patterns. The KR-55 made waves in the music industry, with notable artists like Depeche Mode, Fad Gadget, Soft Cell, and Jean-Michel Jarre using it, and is particularly remembered for its sound in Joe Jackson’s hit song “Steppin’ Out.”
Cherry Audio’s KR-55C stays true to its analog predecessors by including all 240 original patterns, intros, and fills from the KR-55A and KR-55B models. Further, Cherry Audio has expanded the KR-55’s capabilities with 200 all-new rhythm and sound presets, including genre-specific instrument kits that showcase tailored sound design like never before. Whether you’re after the vintage vibes of the post-punk era or modern EDM textures, KR-55C has you covered.
Unlike sample-based instruments, KR-55C emulates the original tones through analog modeling. The instrument panel allows users to fine-tune each sound with settings for parametric EQ, tone, tuning, and decay. The mixer section provides per-instrument control over levels, panning, muting, soloing, and effects routing.
With its X0X-style programming interface, KR-55C makes creating and tweaking beats straightforward and intuitive, whether programming 16- or 24-step patterns in real time or using step mode. The song mode enables users to chain up to 99 patterns across 99 steps, making it easy to craft entire compositions directly within the plugin for later recall.
KR-55C also enhances production workflows with an effects panel that delivers studio-quality processing for each sound. With simple routing toggles, you can apply overdrive, flanger/chorus, delay, and reverb to individual drum elements. Additionally, a global compressor and limiter help ensure polished, professional results.
The plugin integrates seamlessly into your DAW, offering features like individual outputs for each drum sound, drag-and-drop MIDI export, and comprehensive automation capabilities for maximum flexibility in any project.
Alongside KR-55C, Cherry Audio is releasing Pattern Theory for KR-55C (available separately), a preset pack that takes KR-55C to new creative heights. Featuring 100 additional patterns across 10 additional categories, this expansion fully utilizes KR-55C’s advanced voice editing, effects, and pattern chaining to unlock even more rhythmic possibilities. This pack is available exclusively at cherryaudio.com for just $9.99, making it the perfect complement to KR-55C.
Get started with KR-55C today for the fantastic price of only $49, available from cherryaudio.com and authorized resellers worldwide. KR-55C supports AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats for Windows (7 or above, including Windows 11) and macOS (10.13 and above), with native support for Apple Silicon. A free 30-day demo is also available. Visit cherryaudio.com for additional product details, system requirements, videos, and an extensive collection of inspiring sound demos.