An Enabler for Your Rhodes Chroma

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via this auction

The Enabler from Redshift went into production in 2014. A 2.0 version in development in 2018 was featured in this video. Not sure what version this listing is for.

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Chroma Enabler 2.0

Published on Apr 5, 2018 Randel Osborne

"This is the first time the prototype Enabler 2.0 interfaced with the Chroma."

Upcoming version 2 of the Rhodes Chroma Enabler from Redshift Consulting.

Previous version:

REDSHIFT CONSULTING Synth Projects

REDSHIFT CONSULTING just wrapped up  fixing a couple of Chroma voice boards for me.  You can see them pictured below. They also make the Rhodes Chroma Enabler and Enabler 2.0. You can find some posts here on MATRIXSYNTH featuring REDSHIFT CONSULTING and the Rhodes Chroma Enabler. REDSHIFT where often featured early on in the "On The Bench" posts.

Along with specializing on the Rhodes Chroma, they have worked on the following:

5.1 VOLUME BOX 2.0
AKAI S700
ELKA SYNTHEX
EMU EMAX
MOOG POLYMOOG 280A
MOOG TAURUS II
OBERHEIM OB-SX
OBERHEIM OB-X 1
ROLAND SH-101
ROLAND TR-606
RHODES CHROMA CARDS

You can find details on what they did for each here.

They are available for other projects as well. You can reach out to them at redshift-consulting.com

"Redshift Consulting has a long history of sussessful projects that live at the intersection of the Arts and Sciences. We're happy to take on technical and artistic challenges large and small."

Rhodes Chroma Demonstration

Published on Oct 1, 2017 Randel Osborne

"This is a demonstration of a restored Rhodes Chroma that I currently have for sale."

I thought this might have been the one just posted below, but the markings and woodgrain look different, so putting this up in a separate post. There's no additional info in the description regarding where this one is for sale. Posting it for the demo.

Rhodes Chroma SN 21030391

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via this auction

via the seller: "This is the second Rhodes Chroma restored for me by Chroma guru Randel Osborne. The first one was sold in July.
Refer to Randel's extensive synth restoration work at : otb.redshift-consulting.com/Welcome.html
and his amazing Enabler controller for the Chroma: enabler.redshift-consulting.com

This Chroma is in excellent physical condition for its age and 100% functional.
Randel's restoration included:
- installation of the modern switching power supply by Luca Sasdelli
- installation of the CPU Plus (CC+) control board (midi upgrade)
- recapping of the voice cards and calibration
- complete synth dissembly, cleaning and testing

Additional included items:
- midi breakout cable
- Chromatrol overlay for the Behringer BCR2000 (see the rhodeschroma.com website for details)
- brand new custom case by Calzone (Anvil) worth $600

The Chroma will be shipped fully insured in the included case."

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Rhodes Chroma, Completely Restored, with CC+ Midi SN 21030521

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via this auction

"This beauty was completely restored for me by Chroma guru Randel Osborne in 2015.
Please refer to his extensive restoration work at: otb.redshift-consulting.com/Welcome.html
and his incredible Enabler controller for the Chroma (video [posted here]): enabler.redshift-consulting.com

It's in excellent cosmetic condition and 100% functional.
Randel's restoration included:
- installation of the switching power supply by Luca Sasdelli
- installation of the CPU Plus (CC+) control board (midi upgrade)
- recapping of the voice cards and calibration
- complete synth disassembly, cleaning and testing

The Chroma will be shipped in a newly foamed Anvil case with a custom compartment for accessories (see photos)."

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Rhodes Chroma Enabler Going Into Production

"NEA is teaming up with Randel Osborne to produce his Enabler for the Rhodes Chroma. We are now taking orders for a production run. The Enabler is $3700 and each order will require a non-refundable $1000 deposit. Please contact us at www.NewEnglandAnalog.com to place an order or if you have any questions. For more information on the Enabler, go to http://enabler.redshift-consulting.com/"

via Eric Crawley on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Rhodes Chroma Enabler Bar Napkin Synth Art

via David Lovelace on Facebook

"My good friend Randel Osborne ordered up a super-deluxe full-color (read: a lot more than five bucks!) Anything Napkin featuring his awesome Enabler knob-box! AnythingNapkin.com"

The Chroma Enabler

"The ENABLER is a custom made 96-knob dedicated MIDI controller for the CC+ equipped Rhodes Chroma. It is designed to provide a logical, intuitive improvement to the user interface of the original instrument. Features include the following:

1. • Inspired by the industrial design of the Chroma
2. • All exposed woodwork is solid cherry
3. • 2x16 amber LCD display shows parameter name and value when a knob is adjusted
4. • LED indicator lights to indicate the selected patch type
5. • Powered by external 9-12v DC supply"


More pics and info at http://enabler.redshift-consulting.com/

DIY Chroma Knob Box Update

via Randel on the Rhodes Chroma mailiing list:"I've been through many revisions of the front panel graphics of the knob box that I am building for myself, and present the latest at: link [pictured]

I've taken some liberties with the nomenclature ( Filter instead of Cutoff, eg.), and the sequence of parameters from left to right in an attempt to make the interface more intuitive.

Upon the movement of a knob, the 2x16 LCD display will show the name of that parameter on the top line, and the value of the parameter on the bottom.

I have an 8 knob prototype built, and the immediate accessibility it provides dramatically changes the experience of playing the instrument - it's a whole new world!

I plan to have a 96-knob version complete in March, which I will photograph and videotape. If it functions as expected, I will explore the possibility of making a production run for interested parties.

-Randel"

BTW, if you own a Rhodes Chroma and aren't yet on the Chroma list, I highly recommend you join. You can find info on how on the excellent Rhodes Chroma website. Be sure to check out the site for more. The site and the list are constantly bringing new live to this incredible synth.

Sci-Fi Guys

OK, first off I am stretching this one a little on synth content so consider yourself warned. Dave, creator of one of our favorite and only synth toons, The Packrat, sent me and a few others a link to an old toon he did called Sci-Fi Guys. I wanted to put up a post on it, so of course I asked if any of the toons featured any synths. Duh. Turns out they did for audio. The following are Dave's words on the toon followed by the synths. Note Randal of redshiftdigitalaudio and the On The Bench posts also worked on this.

"For about a year and a half, my old Sci-Fi Guys toons haven't been available online at all, after Camp Chaos shut down it's 'Other Shows' section. At a rate of about one per week, since May, I've uploaded them all to Newgrounds. The eleventh and final episode (the Christmas one) will get shoved up there in November sometime.

The title song for Sci-Fi Guys is called 'Ryu' off my Parallax CD 'visit the entropics.'

There are other very synthesized sound cues and transitions in the films also, taken directly from the album.

This music was sequenced by me at home, all on a rickety Korg 01/W, but the exported general MIDI files were painstakingly re-mapped & produced by Randel at redshiftdigitalaudio (the tech guy behind the "On the Bench" posts linked from your blog from time to time). A few overdubs, samples and leads were added later. Synths I definitely know that were used: Waldorf Pulse & Microwave, Clavia Nord rack, Korg MS2000R & Wavestation, a couple of Oberheim Matrix-6R's, Roland JD-800 & three JD-990's, and Yamaha VL1-m.

--D"

(Not) on the bench

Yamaha CP-70m electric grand piano, Polymoog and ? Title link takes you to more shots via Randel including more synths.


Previous On The Bench Posts

On The Bench - Rhodes Chroma

via http://redshift-consulting.com

Previous On The Bench posts:

Oberheim OB-Sx On The Bench
On The Bench (Jupiter-8)

Update: check out the comments of the post for the story behind this one.

Oberheim OB-Sx On The Bench

Click here for to more info and shots sent my way via Randel.

I don't want to know what this was used for. Drills and synths...

Previous On The Bench post

On The Bench

You can find On The Bench at redshift-consulting.com. You will find a number of images and info on bringing back old synths to live. Currently the Sequential Circuits Pro One, Kurzwel 250rmx, and Roland Jupiter 8 are listed. According to Randel, "I hope to add more projects as they are completed. Currently on the bench are an Oberheim OB-Sx, Polymoog, and Rhodes Chroma."