Boss DR-55

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$400.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (10)

1 Critic Review

5 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Boss DR-55

1 community setup

16 wishlisted

47 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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4.0 (9)

$400.00 4 available Used

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Average Price: $400

Standard/Professional

$150

$601+

Price Tier

In the Drum Machines category, Boss DR-55 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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The Boss DR-55 is a classic drum machine that holds a special place in the history of electronic music. Originally released in 1980, this device was the first of its kind from Boss, marking the dawn of affordable rhythm machines for budding musicians and producers. Known for its simple interface and distinctive sound, the DR-55 is a favorite among both vintage gear enthusiasts and modern creators seeking that authentic retro vibe.

The DR-55's analog circuitry is renowned for its warm, punchy drum sounds that have graced countless recordings across genres. With four built-in sounds—kick, snare, hi-hat, and cymbal—this drum machine delivers a straightforward yet versatile palette. Users can program up to 16 steps per pattern, allowing for creative and dynamic rhythm compositions. The machine's compact form factor and battery operation make it an ideal companion for live setups or studio sessions on the go.

Navigating the DR-55 is a breeze with its intuitive step-write programming method, giving musicians the ability to craft unique beats without the complexity of modern drum machines. The accent control feature adds an expressive touch, allowing users to emphasize particular beats for added dynamics.

Whether you're a collector, a synthwave artist, or someone exploring the roots of electronic music, the Boss DR-55 offers a nostalgic yet powerful drum machine experience.

Key Features:

Analog circuitry for authentic vintage sounds
Four built-in drum sounds: kick, snare, hi-hat, and cymbal
Step-write programming for easy beat creation
Accent control for dynamic expression
Compact design with battery operation for portability
Ability to program up to 16 steps per pattern

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	DR-55 Dr. Rhythm
Finish	Black
Year	1980s
Made In	Japan
Categories	Drum Machines
Analog / Digital	Analog
Polyphony	4 Voices

FAQs

What type of sounds does the Boss DR-55 produce?: The Boss DR-55 produces classic analog drum sounds including bass drum, snare, hi-hat, and rimshot, making it ideal for vintage electronic music styles.
Is the Boss DR-55 suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Boss DR-55 is suitable for live performances, offering hands-on control and a simple interface that allows musicians to easily program and modify beats on the fly.
How many voices of polyphony does the Boss DR-55 have?: The Boss DR-55 has 4 voices of polyphony, allowing it to play four different drum sounds simultaneously.
Can the Boss DR-55 be integrated with modern music production setups?: While the Boss DR-55 is an analog drum machine from the 1980s, it can be integrated with modern setups using MIDI converters or by sampling its sounds for use in digital audio workstations.
What power supply does the Boss DR-55 require?: The Boss DR-55 requires a 9V battery or a compatible 9V DC power adapter for operation.

Videos

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RetroSound

BOSS DR-55 "Dr.Rhythm" Analog Drum Machine (1979)

RetroSound

Analogue Masterclass Episode 5 -Boss DR 55

jon ryman

Boss DR 55 Dr. Rhythm Analog Drum Machine Demo (HD)

Sound Provider / Leonard de Leonard

BOSS DR-55 "Truth" pattern

SynthMania

Boss Dr.Rhythm Rundown : DR-55, DR-110, DR-220A, DR-220E, DR-550, DR-660

gwEm’s gwEmbassy

Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-55 - Drum Machine Sound-Demo (no talking)

Bonedo Synthesizers

BOSS DR-55 | Synth Quest Episode 1

madFame

Boss DR-55 Dr. Rhythm: The Unassuming Legend of Dark 80s Drums

Nostalgic Explorer

Boss DR-55: Circuit Bending a Classic Drum Machine

Stephen McLeod

Reviews

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PROS

Classic, bright, deep, punchy sound
Simple programming, even for beginners
Useful for learning timing with footswitch compatibility
Can be synced with other clocks as master or slave
Offers unique, glitchy pattern switching
Ideal for both live sets and home practice
Modifiable for enhanced functionality
Provides a sinister, austere sound palette
Legendary status among vintage gear

CONS

Some find the bass drum sound annoying
Limited sound variety compared to newer models
Not fully programmable, limiting creativity
Can arrive in poor condition due to lack of pre-sale checks

Critic Reviews

Meet Depeche Mode’s first live drummer: the Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-55

musictech.com

The Boss DR-55 is a charming relic from the early days of programmable drum machines, celebrated for its sturdy build and nostalgic appeal. While it lacks the versatility and user-friendliness of later Roland models, this vintage piece excels as a historical artifact rather than a modern studio workhorse. With limited voices and basic programming capabilities, it offers a quaint simplicity that harks back to the analog era. However, its lack of contemporary synchronization options makes it less practical for today's musicians. Ideal for vintage enthusiasts and collectors, but not for those seeking cutting-edge features.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 10 Ratings

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1 star

hat_and_cross

over 2 years ago

Great!

It's my primary drummer, no complaints. Simple, straight to the point, and legendary drum machine.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Post-punk Experimental

jimmarchi1

41029

over 9 years ago

hahahaha

I bought this for peanuts when no one wanted them because they're not really programmable and really just used it for home practice. It actually sounds kinda cool like a Roland CR and I find myself sampling loops from her quite a bit to be the backbone of dance tracks. There's a fuzzy warmth to the kick that I really kinda love. I don't think these are terribly affordable these days, but they should be. Boss made enough of them!

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Alternative rock

max_mars

245

over 9 years ago

Boss DR-55

This was the 1st drum machine I purchased new- way back, in the day. It has been a real workhorse, and I use it primarily for triggering Korg SQ-1 sequencers with my Paia 4700 modular setup. The only mod I have done is to change the knobs for easier sighting.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Blues

jimmarchi1

41029

9 years ago over 9 years ago

awww, man, this was my first drum machine, still have it... I think I bought intending to use it as a glorified metronome for practicing guitar and working on song ideas, but as I got more into synths I started to embrace its wonkiness....

jordansynth

182

about 10 years ago

Very portable, stripped down CR-78!

Essentially the foundation of the CR-78; the kick, rim, snare and hats are the same but are also the only voices of the DR-55 (the 78 has way more). For how small the unit is and how great it sounds, I believe it is an extremely useful drum machine to have around (especially if modded with sync-in).