Rhodes Chroma Polaris Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer w/ New Membrane

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via this listing

"It is in very good working and cosmetic condition.

Professionally serviced, including the needed membrane replacement.

There is typical wear and tear to vintage equipment this old. See pictures for an idea of condition."

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Frida´s Viennese Friday Spring Cleaning

video upload by Synthesizer Explorations

"Rhodes Chroma, Yamaha Genos"

CHROMA POLARIS vs PROPHET 600: Live Shoot-out of these Analog Synth Titans!

video upload by

"2 Voltage-controlled Oscillators per voice is expensive, especially in the vintage market! The two cheapest analog polysynths you can get from the 80's with 2 VCO's are the Sequential Circuits Prophet 600 and the rare Fender Chroma Polaris. In this livestream we'll compare the two and see which reigns supreme."

FENDER CHROMA POLARIS Synthesizer

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via Tone Tweakers eBay | Reverb

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See the site's privacy policy for more info.

Video previously posted here.

"Like nearly all the high end vintage analog synths we sell, this item has been METICULOUSLY disassembled, cleaned inside and out, FULLY serviced by professionals who’ve been servicing and selling vintage synths for more than the last 3 decades, and systematically tested multiple times over a long period to ensure it’s working exactly as it should. No BS. No ebay surprises. We’re perfectionists and don’t cut corners. Although this instrument came to us in relatively good shape, we want our items to be better than the rest and invested *many* hours of tech time plus parts costs to fully overhaul this unit so it would be clean, working like new again and as reliable as possible for its next owner. This was a serious investment of time, love, and money, and was definitely worth the effort and is of course reflected in the higher than usual price. If you’re looking for a great sounding example of this model that works just like it should without needing to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars in tech fees and waiting from weeks to years, this one should make you very happy."

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Fender Chroma Polaris - Meticulously Refurbished

video upload by tonetweakers

"We just finished meticulously refurbishing this Chroma Polaris. It's for sale on our website along with another that's in its original box. This is one of the few vintage polysynths with a built in ring modulator, oscillator sync and touch sensitive keyboard. It’s midi implementation was quite impressive for the time. It was relatively unpopular, thanks to its 1984 release date as it was an analog machine competing with new digital technology like the Yamaha dx7. Since so few high profile musicians used it, it didn’t get the recognition it deserved, but it’s a really powerful synth that should be of great interest to most synth players. We’ve got one in our studio!

Buy vintage gear that works like new at tonetweakers.com

We buy sell trade refurbish vintage synths and electronic musical instruments."

Tone Tweakers eBay | Reverb

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RHODES CHROMA - Handmade Miniature 1/6 scale.

video upload by Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira ROLT

Rhodes Chroma

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via this auction

"After your purchase, you'll get an upgraded Rhodes chroma, as well as restoration of the woodwork, paintwork and Brand new plastic-coated facades.

It'll be as good as new !!!

+New PSU

+CC+Midi Upgrade

In the last photo you can see the beginning of the restoration work on the case ;-)"

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CHROMA POLARIS vs AKAI AX60: Live Sound Demo and Comparison!

video upload by Vulture Culture

"Tonight we're checking out two "cold"-sounding vintage synths from the 1980's LIVE! We're comparing the Fender Chroma Polaris, a 6 voice VCO analog synth and the Akai AX60 and 6 voice VCO analog synth! We'll start with the oscillators, check out the filters, the LFO's, arpeggiators, sequencers and all the other features of these two synths.

A big reason these synthesizers sound so similar is they both use Curtis Electromusic Specialties aka CEM chips. These "synths-on-a-chip" components were used as far back as the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 and Oberheim OB-Xa. They're known, especially the later chips, for sounding "cold" as far as analog synths go.

Specifically the Akai AX60 uses 6 CEM3394 chips, which contain a VCO, VCF and VCA on one chip. The Chroma Polaris uses 6 CEM3374 Dual VCO chips and 6 CEM3372 Filter, Mix and VCA chips, which is the same chipset used by the legendary Oberheim Matrix 12.

The biggest difference in terms of sound is the Polaris has two VCO's per voice but the AX60 only has one - BUT the AX60 has a trick up its sleeve. It has PWM on ALL waveforms, which lets you fake a detuned sound, as well as sounding beautiful in it's own right.

I'm really excited to see which of these two synthesizers reign supreme tonight! Scum one, scum all and scum as you are!"

Museum Of Synthesizer Technology , Analog Heaven Featuring Bob Moog

video uploads by wutierson

Also see Museum Of Synthesizer Technology DVD B-Roll footage

Mr. Martin Newcomb's Museum of Synthesizer Technology mid-1990's.

Note the plaque in the opening reads: "This Museum Was Opened By DR R.A. Moog On 29th July 1994" [4th video in the playlist above]

There was also a book dedicated to the museum you can find in previous posts here.

CHROMA POLARIS: Live Demo of the Polyphonic Odyssey

video upload by Vulture Culture

"In this Live Deep Dive I'll show you how glorious this rare all-Analog Vintage Synthesizer is, by going over the filter (same components as the Matrix 12 and Xpander from Oberheim) and oscillators and showing you how to program your own sounds!"

Rhodes Chroma Expander SN 16330003

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via this auction

"The Expander is a Rhodes Chroma in module format. About 150 were made. This is #3.

It has been fully serviced and upgraded by Randel Osborne who has restored many Chromas and also builds the Enabler controller [see this video].

- installation of the switching power supply (by Luca Sasdelli)

- installation of the CPU Plus (CC+) control board (MIDI upgrade with breakout cable)

- replacement of electrolytic capacitors and addition of bypass capacitors in sample/hold section of all voice cards

- refinishing of all woodwork

- complete synth testing, adjustment, cleaning

Extreme rarity, top-level restoration and essential upgrades make this Expander a very special instrument and high-value investment. It's the rarest version of ARP's most powerful synth, in perfect working condition. Amazing by itself or interfaced with another Chroma."

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OMBIENT: Live!@EMEAPP (4/22/23)

video upload by EMEAPP

"This was a fun night. On April 22, 2023 we held our first video shoot in our live studio space with an audience in attendance with Ombient and Electric Diamond on the bill.

Ombient (Mike Hunter) was the opening performer on the bill and in the space of 30 minutes, he took the entire room on an electronic sonic journey complete with custom projections by PYXL8R. Armed with his custom Synthesizers.com modular system, Koma Elektronik Komplex Sequencer, Rhodes Chroma, Oberheim Matrix-6, ARP 2600 re-issue and a slew of effects, Ombient's performance was ultimately a swirling, constantly evolving set reminiscent of artists such as Tangerine Dream and Ashra.

A big thank you to Ombient (Mike Hunter), PXYL8R (Ken Palmer) Electric Diamon (Stuart Diamond, Don Slepian and Karen Bentley Pollick) and to all of our volunteers for helping to make this night a well-oiled and enjoyable experience for all.

You can find us at www.emeapp.org where we invite you to join us as a member."

Fender/Rhodes Chroma Polaris Analog Synthesizer SN 300088

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via this auction

"This unit is one of the first units made, because it has the Rhodes Chroma sliders, which are more durable and desirable. It is currently set to 220V but can be toggled back to 110V if desired.

It has been professionally calibrated, tested, & serviced, with a new membrane panel installed. It's quite a beautiful-sounding analog instrument, unlike anything made today.

It is MIDI ready for studio/DAW integration and plays nicely with modern setups despite its status as a modern classic. It is 100% functional, other than the red LED for Bank A is dead.

The Chroma Polaris was the 2nd synthesizer made by CBS/Fender/Rhodes after they took over ARP, following their classic Rhodes Chroma. It has a very ARP-like sound.

It has 2 envelopes, including a 5 stage ADSDR filter envelope, aftertouch support (via external controller), and true multitimbral capability, with sounds that can be layered up to 6 voices. It also has a simple real-time sequencer and 132 memory patches."

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EMEAPP SONIC TEST DRIVE: RHODES CHROMA POLARIS Feat. DON SLEPIAN

video upload by EMEAPP

"Here's a little Rhodes Chroma Polaris for ya from the EMEAPP synth collection. Join electronic musician and ace synthesist Don Slepian as he takes this vintage six voice beast from the mid-80s for a true sonic test drive as he demonstrates the wide sonic palette that this beast is capable of."

Sounds of the Chroma Expanders

video upload by The Pernickety Polymath

"Randel demonstrates some intriguing sounds from a pair of Rhodes Chroma Expanders."

Fender Chroma Polaris Rev 9 with expanded Sequencer Memory SN 300689

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via this auction

Pics of the inside below.

According to the listing:

"Rare Chroma Polaris multi-timbral analog synth in near mint condition. Rev 9 firmware with maxed out sequencer memory ( 4 X factory)

The Polaris is a highly under rated synth. It has a vintage analog sound along with the flexible MIDI implementation of a modern synth. This synth was ahead of its time obscured by the digital craze at the time.

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Rhodes Chroma Expander #16

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via this auction

"The Expander is a Rhodes Chroma in module format. Less than 200 Expanders were made.
This is #16.

It has been fully serviced and upgraded by Randel Osborne who has restored many Chromas and also builds the Enabler controller (video below). [posted here - V2.0 demo here]

- installation of the switching power supply (by Luca Sasdelli)
- installation of the CPU Plus (CC+) control board (MIDI upgrade with breakout cable)
- complete synth testing, adjustment, cleaning

Extreme rarity, top-level restoration and essential upgrades make this Expander a very special instrument and high-value investment. It’s the rarest version of ARP’s most powerful synth, in perfect working condition. Amazing by itself or paired with another Chroma."

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Rhodes Chroma with CC+ midi upgrade and Stereoping Controller

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via this auction

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Fender Chroma Polaris II SN 500516

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via this auction

"Awesome synth from the 80s. Was made by the guys from arp after they were bought out by fender. Everything works as it should, some pretty radical sounds can be conceived with this machine that’s for sure."

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Fender Rhodes Chroma Polaris SN 302332

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via this auction

"This Chroma Polaris is 100% functional and in A- cosmetic condition.

It has been professionally tested and serviced, and quite a beautiful-sounding analog instrument, unlike anything made today. Also, it is MIDI ready for studio/DAW integration and plays nicely with modern setups despite its status as a modern classic.

The Chroma Polaris was the 2nd synthesizer made by CBS/Fender/Rhodes after they took over ARP, following their classic Rhodes Chroma. It has a very ARP-like sound.

It has some interesting tricks up its sleeve: like 2 envelopes, including a 5 stage ADSDR filter envelope, aftertouch support (via external controller), and true multitimbral capability, with sounds that can be layered up to 6 voices. It also has a simple real-time sequencer and 132 memory patches."

CLICK FOR MORE »