BlahBlahCafe - Jean-Michel Jarre forum

In my quest a few years ago of purchasing various Jarre rhythm boxes. I picked up an immaculate KR-55 (in box with vinyl cover) for those metallic analog rhythm patterns Jarre used on Magnetic Fields 1, 2 & 4 (Samba & Rock 2)

I year or so later I purchased from the USA a KR-55B. Thinking that this would have all the same rhythms as the KR-55 and MORE. So I could sell my KR-55 ...

But, NO

The samba on the KR-55B just isn't Magnetic Fields 1 or 4. Korg have altered it

Later research on the web confirmed that the KR-55B was release in late 1981 / early 1982, therefore, too late to make the recording of Magnetic Fields. So this confirms for the record that :-

The KR-55 (the biege coloured one) was used on the Magnetic Fields album and not the KR-55B (the black one)

Although the 'B' version has twice the amount of rhythms (some being slight variations of each other), the original KR-55 rhythms are 100% Jarre.

Once I've painstakingly copied the KR-55B rhythm patterns to Midi, it will be up for sale. Unless someone already has a Midi file already they could send me

Actually that has been known for quite a while now
Have a look here for instance: http://www.jarrography.free.fr/details_ ... d_equip=14

Anyway thanks for your report It was also used for the Concerts In China, as a part of Frédéric Rousseau's setup. You can spot it on the video.

Cheers.
I'm new to this forum, so know doubt I'd add stuff that other people have pointed out previously over the years, sorry for that.

I'm guessing that in Magnetic Fields, the KR-55 was channeled throught a Small Stone to give it a slightly randon tone variation ? (as was done with the MP7 on Oxygene)

Also, the KR-55's trademark metallic cowbell appears to be in the 'electro-drums' that come in mid-way through the track Industrial Revolution Overture. Am I right or wrong ?

That's all I have to say on the KR-55 ... for now

no, the percussive sounds on Industrial revolution overture are from Roland D50

edit; and hello from me

Yep, the industrial sounding 'Klink - Klang' opening loop is from the D50 (I have that).

But, I'm talking about the extra 'thips', 'blips', 'thuds' and metalic cowbell that comes in just before the D50 Gritttar synth lead.

Unless I'm totally wrong, but the D50 doesn't have a individual percussion sound set (say, like the Korg M1)

Hello Simon and welcome.

Nice collection of synths

Cryptic Era wrote:Cheers.
I'm new to this forum, so know doubt I'd add stuff that other people have pointed out previously over the years, sorry for that.

I'm guessing that in Magnetic Fields, the KR-55 was channeled throught a Small Stone to give it a slightly randon tone variation ? (as was done with the MP7 on Oxygene)

Also, the KR-55's trademark metallic cowbell appears to be in the 'electro-drums' that come in mid-way through the track Industrial Revolution Overture. Am I right or wrong ?

That's all I have to say on the KR-55 ... for now

That's ok. It would be unfair to expect that newcomers of the forum would know something that has been discussed maybe a couple of years back
Just ask and point out some tehcnical stuff... we might learn something new.

Interesting stuff mate, I had know idea what was used , so thanks for posting and welcome.

I love my little KR-55. I actually got it off Ebay about 4 years ago for £33 !

The seller typed 'Kork' instead of 'Korg' so I was the only bidder - Result !!!

Cryptic Era wrote:But, I'm talking about the extra 'thips', 'blips', 'thuds' and metalic cowbell that comes in just before the D50 Gritttar synth lead.

The sounds you are pointing to are sampled using the MPC1000.
No KR55 is featured on the Revolutions album for sure.

GeeJee wrote:The sounds you are pointing to are sampled using the MPC1000.

I think you meant the Akai MPC60 instead

But most of the drums are from the Dynacord ADD1.
See this vid for a demo:

Cryptic Era wrote: Once I've painstakingly copied the KR-55B rhythm patterns to Midi, it will be up for sale. Unless someone already has a Midi file already they could send me

do you always need the midifile contain rhytm ?
I can make one midifile with three tracks : magn1, magn2, magn 4

olivier_0001 wrote:

Cryptic Era wrote: Once I've painstakingly copied the KR-55B rhythm patterns to Midi, it will be up for sale. Unless someone already has a Midi file already they could send me

do you always need the midifile contain rhytm ?
I can make one midifile with three tracks : magn1, magn2, magn 4

I think you misunderstood Cryptic Era there...