Monday 10 October 2011

KR-55 clock-in mod

The Korg KR-55 (or Rhythm 55) is a great sounding drum machine. Originally released in 1979, it followed on from the MiniPops series of preset rhythm machines and was in direct competition with Rolands CR range. While it is not programmable, it is pretty flexible with lots of variations and some excellent fill-ins. There are no individual outputs but at least it gives some control over the voices with seperate(ish) volume pots. You can hear the KR-55 on many late 70s, early 80s tracks - Mute Records guvnor Daniel Miller made great use of it's trigger output, driving his ARP sequencer and of course the excellent snare drum can be heard throughout Depeche Modes Speak & Spell album.
It's one major drawback is that it has no sync or clock input and this makes it a bugger to integrate into your set-up... Here is a way to add an external clock input to your KR-55 for less than a Pound, Dollar or Euro...
...here's a pair of KR-55s waiting for the external clock-in mod.
It's a fairly straightforward process, lifting one resistor and using a switched jack, but there's not a lot of room on the rear panel to mount the new jack socket...
care needs to be taken when fitting the jack socket so as not to foul the top pcb when the machine is re-assembled.
The KR-55 runs at 8ppqn so a clock divider is required if you want to sync it to midi or sync24. The clock output on the Kenton midi to cv converters is ideal for this (divide by 3).

Here is some further information on the Clock Input mod for those interested…
There are two large circuit boards inside the KR-55, the upper pcb is the voice board and the lower one is the logic board and this is where you need to work…
The upper voice board needs to be removed, there are five screws securing it, remove them and carefully lift the board over… You may also need to carefully unplug the connecting cables to give you more room. You can now unscrew the PCB pillars to remove the lower logic board...

Locate R48 on the logic board (it's just below IC3, see pic below)… this is where to access the internal clock. Lift (de-solder) the right-hand side of R48… connect a wire from the new mini jack "tip" to the lifted leg. Connect a wire from the mini jack "contact" to the pcb pad the leg was lifted from. Connect a wire from the mini jack "sleeve" to any 0v point (gnd).

Now, when a jack is inserted to the new socket, it disconnects the internal clock from R48 and inserts the external clock signal instead… Removing the jack restores the internal clock. You can, of course, use a separate switch to select between internal or external clock but I chose the switching mini jack as there really is very little space inside the rear panel.
The clock input should be 5v positive pulses. Do not use gate or trigger signals that are more than 5 volts without some form of attenuation.
When using an external clock you will need to press the Start button on the KR-55 before sending the clock signal - this puts it in "ready" mode.




Disclaimer: Only attempt this modification if you are confident to do so and understand what you are doing. I accept no responsibility if you damage your machine.


59 comments:

  1. Hi There,
    I am trying to add DIN sync to my Kr-55 but we are having trouble locating info online to complete it. Do you have any instructions for doing this? We have the schematics but they dont show where the clock is or where the tempo control pot is to trace back...
    Thanks in advance,
    slipmath@yahoo.com

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  2. Yes, I can give you some info on how to add the external clock input... I'll email you details.
    J

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    Replies
    1. ...and yet another one in Sweden :)

      tom at kmh-skolan dot se

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  3. hi, i need some info too for add external clock input and voices triggering.....
    please could you send me some info to
    aliensynthfriend@yahoo.es
    thanksssssssss
    ivan.

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  4. hi.. please send me info as well if you can -- don't have a machine or interface to do Trigger Ins yet, but slaving the KR-55 to another clock would be a nice start.

    Thanks!
    toddsines [AT] gmail [DOT] com

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  5. Hi, I'm looking for a schematic of this modification. I have a drawing for a much more complicated Sync24 modification, but I'd also really like to see this simple trigger input (and any other KR55 mods). If you happen to reading this, and you have some of this info, please email me: synthbay at gmail dot com.
    Thanks!!

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  6. Hey

    Im also interested in the simple clock input which resistor do I lift etc.. please mail me at grierjamie at hotmail dot com

    Good schematic for sync 24 here http://www.flickr.com/photos/31603983@N05/5118129592/sizes/o/in/photostream/

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  7. Hi. I too would dealy love to know how to do the clock-in mod (and individual outs, tuning and envelope mods etc. etc. but one thing at a time,eh?) if that's possible.
    Thanks.

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  8. Yes me too, it's very tempting, I'd love to know the specifics of the mod.
    It's a wonderful machine.
    lucamanga at tiscali dot it
    Thanks.

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  9. Hi,
    I can imagine you are getting tired of the same requests:)
    Can you please send me the details on how to sync this wonderful machine?
    Would be a great help!
    margueritarecordings at gmail dot com
    Thank you.

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  10. hello
    another one here who would love to try this. is there a trig mod (convert S to V) for this, too, you have?
    brotmanandshort at gmail dot com
    thanks!
    j

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  11. and yet another one please if you would be so wonderful!

    n at thenormanconquest dot net

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  12. Hello to all who have asked about the KR-55 clock input mod... I will post details here soon including schematics...
    A.S

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  13. Hi, another KR-55 owner here... I'd really love to try this too! :-)

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  14. I too would like info... skunk3 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  15. Hi, I'd also love to have the information about the KR 55 mods ... I think this could radically change my use of this BAR. Thanks in advance !
    my mail : romain (dot) mascagni (at) gmail (dot) com

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  16. hi there. yet another chasing details of this mod. woz_r (at) hotmail (dot) com. greatly appreciated

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  17. OK, I've added some info on the Clock Input mod for anyone that's interested…

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  18. I modified my KR55 a lot and I made a clock with midi trigger but I have some step errors ... Can you give me infos about your clock input ?
    My email is playboysbend - at - gmail.com

    This is one of my best rythmbox, really good sounds !

    Thanks a lot
    best

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  19. Hi everyone! Thanks for sharing this experience. I am indeed interrested into doing this mod, I think information here should be enough to complete it for my tech. There is one more mod I would really like to perform, I know some people have done it but can't find any other infos. What I want is to add some insert points right after the individual volume knobs, so that you get multi output, but only when you actually insert a cable on individual tracks, unless it stays grouped to master. This way you can take 1 or 2 instruments off the mix to make separate treatment, especially for BD and snare. Anyone tried this at home and want to share experience? Thanks!

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  20. Hello, I have a KR MINI (KORG), do you have any idea how can I add an external clock?? Another idea I have is to add a MIDI input to control the device externally, do you think this os possible?? Thanks!

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  21. Thanks for sharing this...will try my best to do accomplish this mod. The info already postee seem to be enough. Man....if you could do a youtube video of this...

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    Replies
    1. ...I might do a Youtube vid for the mod if there's enough interest... although it would make it too easy!

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  22. for those asking about individual outputs for the KR-55... it's pretty simple to tap an output from the instrument volume knobs. Obviously you'll get some grouped sounds but you'll have individual outputs for the key ones. It's a more complex task if you want the sounds cancelled from the main mixed output though. Personally I've not added individual outs as I prefer not to modify vintage machines too much...

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  23. Hey there, Love you blog posts about the Kr55 mods. Can you help with a suggestion? I am looking for a device to send tempo info to a modded Kr55 as well as a microkorg so I can get the arpeggiator on the microkorg to work in time with the Kr55. I am new to the field of electronic music (I am a singer/songwriter) So I feel pretty naive!

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    1. Dave, with the Microkorg you're going to need to involve MIDI. Unfortunately there's no simple way of syncing the two on their own... you need something with a master clock (DAW, midi sequencer etc) and a midi to sync clock converter for the KR-55. The Kenton midi to CV converters will do the job. I'm sure there are other devices also that will achieve the same thing. The Microkorg arpeggiator can be awkward to sync even with modern gear let alone pre-midi machines like the KR-55...

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    2. Thanks for the reply! Great to have a little help on this. Looking at their site, Kenton makes a lot of products any in particular that work best?

      As a follow up, would it be easier to use the trigger out from the KR 55 to trigger a midi device like the Microkorg? If so, is there a converter needed?

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    3. converting analogue triggers to midi clock is not straightforward unfortunately... there is information out there on the subject and there are guys that specialise in midi sync systems - have a look at the Innerclock website, some great stuff there.
      Easiest way to integrate the KR-55 into midi set-ups is via something like the Kenton Pro Solo - clock out into the modded KR-55 clock input...

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  24. Hi,

    Thanks for your work Alienated Synthesist -- I just picked up a 55b and am curious about the din sync 24 modification as well.

    Could you send me some information -- drawings, schematics, for the mod.

    mishakhokhlo (at) gmail (dot) com

    all the best,
    m

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    Replies
    1. The Dinsync (or sync 24) modification is more complex than this simple “clock in” mod. There are different ways to achieve it, with a clock divider circuit or a pre-programmed PIC handling the division. If there is enough interest I may put some details here but there are guys out there offering the mod so it may not be fair for me to publish it. Personally I prefer this simpler “clock in” mod as it is less intrusive and I don’t like to over modify vintage gear....

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    2. I totally understand your concerns -- I am actually interested in doing both trig in/clock in and also the din sync mod to be able to have the flexibility of both trig/clocking methods for my old korg/roland machines.

      I'm an amateur circuit bender and am not trying to put any old timers out of business, however I am also interested in increasing the functionality of my gear and am on a budget. When I find a piece of hardware and a MODs group that can really do some great mods to that machine that I could only dream of doing, then I'd gladly send it their way! This is more for personal practice, since this is just a single mod and one that is relatively ubiquitous.

      If you feel like having a correspondence, then please do drop me a line in my email!

      all the best,
      m

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    3. Thanks for your interest. When I get some time I will post details on a basic Din sync mod for the KR-55. A simple divide by 3 circuit with start/stop...

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  25. Hi a little tip and a little problem. First, thanks for posting this ,the KR55 has really beefed up my tracks! Now the tip, the korg SQ1 will spit out 16x1 sync which the modded KR55 seemed to work well with. The little problem is that the KR55 freaks out a little before settling in. Any help with an immediate sync would be appreciated!
    Thanks,
    Steve

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment... I haven’t tested with the SQ-1 yet, although I do have one here. I’m not sure if the clock out can be divided on the SQ-1 though, I know the polarity can be inverted and sequence resolution altered. The sync output is designed around the Volca standard and not entirely flexible so I’m not surprised if the KR-55 gets confused... will look into it...

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  26. Hello Alienated Synthesist and thank you for this page and all the things you've shared.
    Does the "Trig selector" of the KR 55 have any utility or reaction with a Trig in signal?
    Thank you. Best wishes for 2018.

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    Replies
    1. Original trigger out & select works just the same with internal or external clock. It’s still S-Trig signal of course...

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  27. Hey I followed your directions on the mod, but when I trigger it externally using my roland 707 RIM OUT it clocks it really slow, sounds almost like it's half speed? Any suggestions?

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    1. Hello Mak, It needs a clock signal of 8ppq (pulses per quarter note) - a trigger out from a 707 or similar is not a clock signal... you can obviously only have a maximum of 16 triggers per bar. You need a clock divider, either derived from midi clock or dinsync... both midi clock & dinsync run at 24ppq so you need to divide by 3 to get the 8ppq that the KR-55 expects. The Kenton midi to cv converters all have a dedicated clock output that can be divided to anything you like, probably loads of other similar devices too. Don’t feed it trigger signals more than 5v or you’ll likely damage it... the 707 trigger is certainly way too hot without some kind of attenuation!

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    2. Just to get back to this -- Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe KORG runs at their standard 48PPQ and not 8 PPQ as you suggested. I believe this to make sense since I had to double the scale on the 707 as a work around to get the necessary PPQ that the KORG runs at to keep it in time with my 707(Roland runs at 24ppq).

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    3. Actually, with more research I am getting conflicting information regarding what the KORG 55's clock runs at -- 8ppq or 48ppw, not sure what is accurate.

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    4. 8ppqn if you want to sync to midi or Roland Dinsync - both send 24ppqn hence the divide by 3 setting required if you’re using a clock divider. If you’re triggering it with 16ths, ie from a trigger output or rimshot etc then it will run at half speed - hence using 32nd scale from something like the 707. Later Korg drum machines used Dinsync at 48ppqn - KPR-77 and the DDM digital machines. The KR-55 was not designed with an external clock or trigger input... it’s up to us to work out a way to achieve it to suit our own requirements!

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    5. 8PPQN is correct -- I have a MIDI to CV converter that I built and programmed to run DINMIDI to CV clocking functions; it works, I have to divide by 3!

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    6. Great, happy to hear everything is working.

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  28. hey-- I got it to work by sending the kr-55 a bar of 16 rim trigs and using 2:1 scale. The 707 was synced to a CR-8000 and both the CR-8000 and the KR-55 were in sync! Though now I understand what you are saying about getting the KR-55 8ppq, it is just a temporary work around until I get a MIDI to CV converter. I also referenced a second blog that describes an attenuation mod, so it should be fine! Thanks again.

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    1. Great, glad to hear you attenuated the trigger pulse & got it working... I actually love all the little workarounds needed to get all the old gear talking to each other!

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  29. Thwnk you for sharing this tutorial. I just wonder of it really is important to lift (de-solder) the right hand side of R48. I came across another tutorial (Cavisynth website) where its shown how to make a protected mod for KR55 - a very similar procedure, but without de-soldering the R48 - only soldering the tip of the jack to left side of the R48 without interrupting the circuit.

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    1. Hello TZL, it’s possible of course to do the modification in different ways... either a trigger input or clock input. Diode protection is a good idea if you’re going to be using pulses of more than 5v or if you’re not sure of trigger levels. I prefer to interrupt the internal clock if using external pulses, hence lifting R48... just personal preference.

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    2. I did it without lifting the resistor, added the protection circuit with diodes and my KR-55B is is finally modded and can sync to other gear as well as act as a master clock if the jack is unplugged from the trigger output. Wonderful. Thanks again for sharing this!!!

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  30. About the DIN sync mod of The KR55 - do you know this one? The „KR-55 uSync kit“. ;-)
    http://www.artefacts.nl/Products.html

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  31. I’ve modded two KR55s with the clock in. The first one works great but the second one is have some clock issues when the clock in is not being used. Could you recommend anything to look for when dealing with drifty clock?

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    1. If you used the mini-jack switching sockets, sometimes the contact can be unreliable if it is worn or oxidised... I’ve seen problems relating to that... good to use a decent quality socket. Other than that I’ve not encountered any other issues...

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    2. Thanks, one more question. The tempo speeds on both my kr-55 vary greatly. One when the tempo knob is half way is at a reasonable bpm i think around 115 bpm. The other is at like 155bpm. A little bongled. any ideas?

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  32. You mention Daniel Miller triggering his sequencer with the trigger out. Well....

    I am a *complete* novice at electronic music. I've been playing with synths for a few years, making cool sounds, but I'm primarily a guitarist (and you probably know how dull we can be ;) ). Anyway, I have a KR-55 as I wanted something I could play along with that's controllable with a foot pedal. Now I'd like to start filling out the sound with some small (like Volca sized) synths that I can sync together or drive from a common step sequencer - and I think you see where I'm going here - what do I need out of that sequencer? Is one "trigger in" as good as another? (see, I really am a novice) Since I need the rhythm to be foot-controlled, I want the KR-55 to be the master - but I could play a sequence on another drum machine and mute the 55 if I wanted.

    But yeah, that's it. And sorry for the dumb question, but most synth forums assume such basic knowledge. I found your blog because I'm a tinkerer, build my own pedals, not afraid of soldering - but I just don't know how to drive a sequencer with the trigger out from the 55; and what specifications I'd need in a sequencer.

    Sorry for the rambling, and thanks.

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    1. For instance, would this work?

      "start the SQ1 while holding start/stop. Set the knob to CV duty, so active step and step jump are on. Power the unit off and on.

      This will make it start on the first trigger and not wait for the next to calculate a clock."

      SQ-1 isn't the most powerful sequencer, but it's a) $100, and b) works on Hz/V, and I've got an MS-20 Mini. I'd prefer a few smaller units to play out; but have some patches I really love at home and can always multitrack.

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  33. Just wanted to share my findings after doing this incase it helps anyone. I did as instructed in the above article but couldn't the the external trigger to get the KR55 to run. After reading another comment noting the instructions in this article (https://cavisynth.com/roland-kr-55-trigger-input-modification/) I tried connecting the TIP of the jack with the CONNECT of the jack and voila it started to work (this is essentially the same as just connecting the TIP of the jack to R48 w/o lifting it).

    I don't really get WHY it works that way (what is described in this article makes more sense to me) but that's how it worked for me (I have a KR55B, but I don't think that makes any difference).

    Also, after doing the mod it appears the the KR55s SWING functionality no longer works with the external clock. Removing the external clock brings back the swing.

    Anyways, thanks much for the article!

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    1. Yeah, there are several ways to accomplish the ‘clock in’ mod. Unfortunately the Onboard swing function only affects the internal clock... lots of ways to add swing to the external clock though, via a dedicated sync box or a daw. Glad you’ve got it working...

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  34. Hi! Do you know if Process is similar to Kr33? thanks!

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    1. Yes, it should be possible - the KR-33 is based on the same circuit, just limited functionality.

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