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Today, Cherry Audio has announced the releases of KR-55C, a drum machine plugin that brings together features based on the two classic Korg drum machines, the “Rhythm 55” KR-55A, and its successor the KR-55B from the late 70s and early 80s.

They say that KR-55C blends the ‘vintage charm’ of the originals with contemporary flexibility and advanced sound design capabilities.

The official intro video:

Released in 1979, the Korg KR-55A was a preset rhythm drum machine equipped with a selection of 48 rhythms that ranged from standard pop and rock beats to more global styles; released in1982, the KR-55B featured extra memory and twice the number of patterns.

The KR-55s found favour with artists working in the ’80s across both synth-pop and post-punk: you can hear the KR-55A on Joe Jackson’s 1982 hit Steppin’ Out, along with a number of early Depeche Mode tracks, and Fad Gadget, Soft Cell, and Jean-Michel Jarre.

Cherry Audio’s take on the KR-55 uses analogue modelling to closely emulate the original machines’ sounds, and features recreations of all rhythms from both models, adding up to a total of 240 factory patterns, fills and intros, with 200 additional patterns and kits designed by Cherry Audio.

KR-55C’s UI features a step sequencer in place of the original’s pattern selector, which can sequence 16- or 24-step patterns, that can be chained using the plugin’s Song Mode or drag-and-dropped to your DAW timeline as MIDI clips.

All of KR-55C’s sounds can be individually edited with EQ, tone, tune and decay settings for each, while the mixer panel lets you adjust level, pan, solo and mute settings for each sound. The plugin is equipped with a variety of effects that includes overdrive, echo, reverb, flanger and chorus, along with a global bus compressor and limiter.

What they have to say about it:

“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.”

An in-depth overview from synthesist Tim Shoebridge:

KR-55C is available now for $49, for both MacOS & Windows.

Last year, French manufacturer Arturia released the third iteration of its MIDI controller keyboard, KeyLab, in 49- and 61-key versions, bolstering the range with a new keybed, redesigned interface and touch-sensitive controls.

The French manufacturer’s flagship MIDI keyboard gets an 88-key model with an “authentic piano feel” thanks to its Fatar TP/110 keybed.

Today, Arturia has unveiled an 88-key version of the KeyLab mk3 that boasts similar upgrades, along with a “premium” Fatar TP/110 hammer-action keybed with weighted keys and channel aftertouch that you won’t find on the 49- and 61-key models.

Like its smaller siblings, the KeyLab 88 mk3 is equipped with 9 potentiometers and faders that are touch-sensitive, so you’re able to tap a control and check its associated information on the KeyLab’s display without altering the value.

The official KeyLab 88 mk3 overview:

These are joined by 12 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads, two mode wheels and an array of dedicated DAW controls including save, undo, redo and transport controls. KeyLab 88 also features the similar full-colour 3.5″ screen as the other mk3 versions, surrounded by eight buttons and a dial for navigation.

KeyLab 88’s Scale Mode will automatically adjust notes to a chosen scale, and its new arpeggiator can be used to create generative patterns that randomize parameters such as ratchet, octave shift and division time. There’s also a Chord Play mode for playing preset or custom chords with a single key.

KeyLab 88 mk3 is equipped with pre-mapped templates for many of the major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro and FL Studio, and arrives with a generous software bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Pro, and a number of software instruments and effects. You’ll also get a subscription to sample library Loopcloud and tuition platform Melodics.

Check out the embedded video above. Composer and pianist Belle Chen delivers a mesmerising performance at Hôtel d’Heidelbach in Paris, unleashing the creative power of KeyLab 88 mk3’s all-new Fatar TP/110 hammer-action keybed.

KeyLab 88 mk3 is priced at $1299 and is available in both black and white. Find out more on Arturia website.

Dutch composer & synthesist Danny Wolfers (Legowelt) & Dim Garden have released a new album, The Art Of DX7.

Wolfers describes The Art Of DX7 album as a collection of “Synthesizer folks songs, full with nostalgia and yearning.” The album was made on a vintage Yamaha DX7.

In addition to the album, Wolfers has released a free library of the sounds that he used on the album. If you have a DX7 or a synthesizer that can read the DX7’s patches, you can download the sounds used on the album in .syx format.

You can also use them with Dexed, which can be used to preview and play the sounds, both as a standalone application and as a VST for your DAW.

You can preview The Art Of DX7 below:

The Art Of DX7 is available now via Bandcamp. The patches are available as a free download (.syx).