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Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-550

Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-550

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$69.00 Price Tier: Budget

3.5 (19)

2 Critic Reviews

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Boss DR-550

1 community setup

1 wishlisted

55 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

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

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (8)

$69.00 9 available Used

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Average Price: $69

Budget/Beginner

$150

$601+

Price Tier

In the Drum Machines category, Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-550 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Meet the Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-550, an ultra-compact and streamlined drum machine packed with features that make it a solid choice for beginners and pros alike. With its 48 distinct sounds, this device gives you a wide range of rhythmic options to experiment with. What sets it apart is its capability to create fills and shuffles with 32nd notes and triplets, giving your beats a unique edge. Offering five bass and six snare sounds, it allows for timbre selection, developing a rich variety of beats and patterns. It's more than just a practice tool for guitarists, the DR-550 is an equally excellent companion for bedroom producers and old-school DJs, making it a versatile and valuable addition to your music gear.

Key Features:

Ultra-compact design with 12-button effect interface
Total bank of 48 available sounds
Capable of creating fills and shuffles with 32nd notes and triplets
Offers five bass and six snare sounds with timbre selection
Ideal for guitarists, bedroom producers, and old-school DJs

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	DR-550 Dr. Rhythm
Finish	Black
Year	1989 - 1991
Made In	Japan
Categories	Drum Machines
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Output
Number of Pads	12 Pads
Polyphony	12 Voices

FAQs

How many sounds are available on the Boss DR-550 Dr. Rhythm drum machine?: The Boss DR-550 offers 48 different sounds, providing a wide range of drum and percussion options for various music styles.
Is the Boss DR-550 compatible with MIDI devices?: Yes, the Boss DR-550 features MIDI output, allowing it to be integrated and synchronized with other MIDI-compatible equipment in your setup.
How many pads does the Boss DR-550 have, and are they velocity-sensitive?: The Boss DR-550 is equipped with 12 pads, but they are not velocity-sensitive, meaning the volume of the sound does not change with the force of the hit.
What type of polyphony does the Boss DR-550 drum machine offer?: The Boss DR-550 provides 12-voice polyphony, enabling it to play up to 12 sounds simultaneously, which is useful for creating complex rhythms.
Can the Boss DR-550 be used for live performances?: Yes, the Boss DR-550 can be used for live performances, offering a compact and portable solution for drummers and electronic musicians needing reliable drum patterns.

Videos

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EZPICKKIN

Boss DR-550 Tutorial Dr. Rhythm

EZPICKKIN

Bad Gear - Boss DR-550 - A Human Feel Drum Machine???

AudioPilz

Boss DR-550 Drum Machine

Beyond Soup by Jaed Arzadon

BOSS DR-550 : Testing

atthakorn Pann Meesh

Reviews

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PROS

Emulates 80's/90's drum sounds authentically
Easy to set and operate for beginners and pros
Versatile, from metronome beats to complex rhythms
Durable, older models still operational and reliable
Offers good value, especially at lower price points

CONS

Not intuitive for all; hitting pads with drumsticks doesn't work
May lack modern features compared to newer drum machines

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-550.

Features and functionality

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The DR-550 MKII has a MIDI IN but lacks a MIDI OUT, which can limit integration with other MIDI devices.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Owners find the DR-550 MKII's punchy sounds suitable for punk and post-punk, despite programming challenges.
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The DR-660, an alternative to the DR-550, is praised for its acoustic and electronic kits, making it suitable for industrial and post-industrial genres.
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The Volca Kick is suggested as a complementary drum machine for industrial music, offering dark bass lines and industrial-suited kicks.
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User experience

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Many users prefer to sample the DR-550 MKII's sounds and use them in more user-friendly machines, indicating a steep learning curve.
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Some users find the DR-550’s interface extremely basic, suggesting it was designed to be as simple as possible while still being marketable.
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Replacing op-amp ICs is a common fix for DR-550s, though older units often suffer from mechanical problems and oxidation.
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Comparisons

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The Alesis SR-16 is preferred over most Boss drum machines for its realistic sound and durability, even surviving an amp falling on it.
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The DR-660, designed by Roger Linn, is recommended over the DR-550 for its superior sound and onboard reverb capabilities, enhancing genres like industrial and EBM.
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Setup and maintenance

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Troubleshooting audio output issues involves checking IC104 and IC105 signals and the DC biasing circuit, focusing on coupling capacitors and possible mechanical failures.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners have considered replacing all capacitors on both the motherboard and output board to resolve low and noisy output issues, with varying success.
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Build quality

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The DR-550 may have issues with audio output jacks, including dirt or bad solder connections, despite cleaning efforts.
Source

Critic Reviews

The Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-550 Drum Machine | Planet Botch

planetbotch.blogspot.com

The Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-550 is a nostalgic throwback to budget-friendly drum machines of the late '80s, offering a significant leap from its predecessor, the DR-220, with improved sound quality and a broader palette of 48 sounds. While it was a hit in its day for its value and versatility, its limitations are glaring today. The DR-550's mechanical feel, lack of velocity sensitivity, and clunky editing make it challenging to create realistic drum tracks. Despite these drawbacks, it was an impressive entry-level option at its original price but now serves more as a stepping stone in the evolution of Boss drum machines.

neutral

Full Review

Carry On Doctor! (SOS May 90)

muzines.co.uk

The Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-550 is celebrated for its exceptional 16-bit sampled drum sounds, offering unbeatable value under £200. While lacking advanced features like separate outputs and velocity-sensitive pads, it excels in sound quality, drawing samples from the esteemed Roland R8/R5 library. Its 48 internal sounds are diverse and realistic, suitable for various musical styles. The DR-550 introduces real-time pattern programming, a first for Boss, enhancing its appeal. Despite its basic build and limited programming features, it sets a new standard for budget drum machines. A worthy choice for musicians seeking top-notch sounds without breaking the bank.

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3.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 19 Ratings

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mikefiction

1264

over 2 years ago

It's a drum!

This drum machine has everything you need. It has a kick, a snare and even high hats. I tried hitting the pads with drumsticks to see if the sequencer would be easier to use but it didn't work. My grandma says I'm doing it wrong but what does she know? I might sample the sound of crushing this with an hydraulic press, you won't find those samples online!

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Electro-industrial

kobern

121

about 10 years ago

A good old rythm box

I have an older version than the one showcased in the picture, but mine is still working and is a great pick if you want that old school 80s 90s drum sound.