Korg1970s8-voiceAnalog$$Mid-Range($250–800)
Korg Rhythm 55B
Collectors wanting a genuine 1970s preset rhythm box, predating programmable drum machines entirely.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
No MIDI on the Korg Rhythm 55B? Here's how to bridge it
Free tool — see exactly what kind of converter connects it to a modern MIDI setup.
Strengths
- A genuine pre-programmable preset rhythm box, real drum-machine prehistory predating step-programming entirely
- Distinctive vintage analog percussion tones became a favorite sampling source for later electronic producers
- Its sheer age and simplicity make it a genuine curiosity piece for collectors tracing drum-machine history
Trade-offs
- No user programming at all — fixed preset rhythms only, a real limitation by any later standard
- No sync capability whatsoever, running purely on its own internal tempo
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Korg |
| Model | Rhythm 55B |
| Era | 1970s |
| Typical Price Tier | Mid-Range ($250–800) |
| Sound Source | Analog circuits (preset patterns only) |
| Voice Count | 8 |
| Voice Type | Analog |
| Steps Per Pattern | Preset patterns only |
| Pattern Memory | 14 |
| Individual Outputs | No |
| Sync / MIDI | None |
| Swing / Shuffle | No |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Korg Rhythm 55B.
50
50
50
50
This deckKorg Rhythm 55B
Match48
Flexibility8
Portability65
Ease of Use92
Tonal Neutrality25
Ranked against 46 other decks
- Boss DR-660 Dr. RhythmMatch66Flexibility45Portability90Ease of Use78Tonal Neutrality52
- Flexibility85Portability70Ease of Use72Tonal Neutrality28
- Roland TR-909Match64Flexibility88Portability68Ease of Use70Tonal Neutrality30
- Yamaha RX5Match64Flexibility72Portability58Ease of Use75Tonal Neutrality50
- Alesis SR-16Match63Flexibility35Portability80Ease of Use80Tonal Neutrality55
- Alesis SR-18Match63Flexibility38Portability78Ease of Use80Tonal Neutrality55
- Korg KR-55Match62Flexibility25Portability88Ease of Use88Tonal Neutrality48
- Alesis HR-16Match62Flexibility30Portability82Ease of Use82Tonal Neutrality52
- Yamaha RY30Match62Flexibility40Portability75Ease of Use78Tonal Neutrality55
- Roland TR-707Match61Flexibility50Portability72Ease of Use78Tonal Neutrality45
- Roland TR-505Match61Flexibility35Portability80Ease of Use80Tonal Neutrality50
- Roland R-8Match61Flexibility68Portability60Ease of Use60Tonal Neutrality55
- Zoom RT-123Match61Flexibility30Portability85Ease of Use82Tonal Neutrality48
- Roland TR-727Match61Flexibility68Portability62Ease of Use70Tonal Neutrality42
- Akai XE8Match61Flexibility68Portability62Ease of Use65Tonal Neutrality48
- Flexibility75Portability50Ease of Use72Tonal Neutrality42
- Flexibility76Portability55Ease of Use68Tonal Neutrality42
- Boss DR-55 Dr. RhythmMatch60Flexibility15Portability95Ease of Use85Tonal Neutrality45
- Roland TR-606 DrumatixMatch59Flexibility45Portability85Ease of Use75Tonal Neutrality32
- Yamaha RX7Match59Flexibility65Portability55Ease of Use68Tonal Neutrality48
- Akai XR10Match59Flexibility58Portability62Ease of Use70Tonal Neutrality45
- Roland R-70Match59Flexibility68Portability58Ease of Use62Tonal Neutrality48
- Alesis DM5Match59Flexibility62Portability62Ease of Use68Tonal Neutrality45
- Oberheim DMXMatch58Flexibility70Portability55Ease of Use70Tonal Neutrality35
- E-mu Systems SP-12Match58Flexibility80Portability60Ease of Use55Tonal Neutrality38
- Roland TR-626Match58Flexibility35Portability75Ease of Use75Tonal Neutrality48
- Yamaha RX17Match58Flexibility35Portability72Ease of Use78Tonal Neutrality45
- Boss DR-220A Dr. RhythmMatch58Flexibility28Portability80Ease of Use82Tonal Neutrality42
- Yamaha RX21Match57Flexibility30Portability78Ease of Use80Tonal Neutrality40
- Boss DR-3 Dr. RhythmMatch57Flexibility28Portability78Ease of Use80Tonal Neutrality42
- Casio RZ-1Match56Flexibility68Portability62Ease of Use65Tonal Neutrality28
- E-mu Systems SP-1200Match55Flexibility78Portability58Ease of Use50Tonal Neutrality32
- Jomox XBase 09Match54Flexibility72Portability55Ease of Use58Tonal Neutrality30
- MFB 522Match54Flexibility68Portability62Ease of Use55Tonal Neutrality30
- Korg DDD-1Match52Flexibility58Portability58Ease of Use55Tonal Neutrality35
- Flexibility78Portability45Ease of Use48Tonal Neutrality38
- Simmons SDS-7Match51Flexibility72Portability52Ease of Use45Tonal Neutrality35
- Simmons SDS-VMatch50Flexibility60Portability40Ease of Use65Tonal Neutrality35
- E-mu DrumulatorMatch49Flexibility55Portability55Ease of Use58Tonal Neutrality28
- Flexibility25Portability68Ease of Use72Tonal Neutrality32
- Korg KPR-77Match49Flexibility22Portability70Ease of Use75Tonal Neutrality30
- Korg Minipops 7Match48Flexibility10Portability68Ease of Use90Tonal Neutrality25
- Dynacord ADD-OneMatch48Flexibility55Portability52Ease of Use48Tonal Neutrality38
- Roland TR-55Match46Flexibility8Portability62Ease of Use90Tonal Neutrality25
- Roland CR-78 CompuRhythmMatch44Flexibility25Portability60Ease of Use60Tonal Neutrality32
- Simmons SDS-1Match34Flexibility15Portability45Ease of Use55Tonal Neutrality20
Maintenance & Supplies
As an Amazon Associate, Analog Specs earns from qualifying purchases.