Korg’s retrospective timeline places the KR-33 in 1979; British dealers advertised it by March 1981.Sources (5)
The machine in the record
James Petralli / a White Denim setup.
A cited White Denim setup photograph identifies a Korg KR-33 beneath a BOSS RE-20 in James Petralli’s equipment. It is a studio sighting, not a release credit, yet its ordinary placement among working tools gives the preset box an unusually human context.
Read James Petralli’s Korg KR-33 setup ↗More records in the archive
The machine keeps turning up.
Reported association
James Petralli / White Denim / Studio setup photograph
A December 2023 White Denim Instagram setup photograph is reported to show James Petralli using a Korg KR-33 beneath a Boss RE-20.
Read James Petralli Korg KR-33 setup photograph ↗A rhythm box for rock, disco and pop
Korg’s KR-33 Rhythm33 offered a ready-made rhythm section for the musician who wanted to start playing rather than begin with a blank grid. Its panel arranges 48 patterns across three banks, with rock, disco, pop, waltz, bossa nova and 5/4 among the choices.
Patterns meant to be combined
The owner’s manual shows the KR-33’s particular trick: buttons can be combined, while special meter selections reshape the result. The printed rhythm charts make the repertoire tangible—twelve rock figures, six discos, swinging patterns and a few unexpected turns including Enka and habanera. It is a preset machine, but not a one-button caricature.Source (1)
Built to join other equipment
Korg supplied high- and low-level outputs for organs, mixers and guitar amplifiers, plus an S-1 footswitch for remote start and stop. A bass-drum-derived trigger could drive a Korg MS-series synthesizer, placing the modest rhythm unit in a wider electronic setup.Source (1)
On the British shop floor
Music Laboratory advertised the KR-33 for £178.15 including VAT in March 1981; a later Music Ground offer listed £149 in 1983. These are dated dealer offers, not a single universal price or a factory launch figure. Period buyer guides treated it as a reduced KR-55, but the instrument’s generous fixed-pattern panel remained a useful, affordable rhythm partner.
In the market
- 1983-09-17: GBP 149 — Music Ground UK mail-order advertised price. KR33 rhythm unit; specific accessories unstated Source ↗
- 1981-03: GBP 178.15 — Music Laboratory UK advertised retail offer, Sound International March 1981, printed p.149 / PDF p.56. KR33; accessories not specified in advertisement Source ↗
In the studio and on stage
- James Petralli / White Denim — Studio setup. A cited White Denim setup photograph identifies a Korg KR-33 beneath a Boss RE-20 in James Petralli’s equipment. Source ↗
- James Petralli / White Denim — Studio setup photograph. A December 2023 White Denim Instagram setup photograph is reported to show James Petralli using a Korg KR-33 beneath a Boss RE-20. Source ↗
Sources
- KR-33 Owner’s Manual
- Music Ground mail-order specials, Sounds 17 September 1983, p.60
- Machines up to £200, International Musician & Recording World, pp.172–173
- Korg Magazine 2013 — 50th anniversary issue, timeline pp. 4–5
- Music Laboratory advertisement, Sound International incorporating Beat Instrumental, March 1981, printed p. 149 (PDF p. 56)
The visual archive
Further visual evidence.
Sources for images shown earlier (1)
Additional visual sources (2)
Original publications and related image sources.
- Music Ground KR55B £239 offer ↗
1983-09-17 · Music Ground / Sounds · Printed p.60; PDF page 60, lower left Music Ground advertisement - Music Laboratory rhythm-unit price panel, March 1981 ↗
1981-03 · Music Laboratory / Sound International · Printed p.149, PDF p.56; cover PDF p.1