ARP RHODES CHROMA Analog Synthesizer - Sounds, Patches & Ambient Soundscapes | Synth Demo

Published on Jan 25, 2020 synth4ever

"ARP Rhodes Chroma analog synthesizer demo featuring various sounds, patches, presets and ambient soundscapes. This Rhodes Chroma synth demo covers a variety of sounds on the Chroma and features some effects from Strymon Big Sky. Filmed at Synth Palace (http://www.synthpalace.net) in Montreal, Canada.

The Rhodes Chroma is a vintage analog synth originally designed by ARP, and then completed by Rhodes in the early 1980s. Only 3000 Rhodes Chroma synths were manufactured, making it fairly rare today. Its sound can be described as big, brash, powerful and aggressive in tone, but also refined, harmonically rich and organic.

The ARP Rhodes Chroma uses VCOs and features 16 voice mode (1-osc per voice) and 8-voice mode (2-osc per voice). The synth engine architecture is very powerful and allows for complex sound creation, parameter routing and modulation. The Chroma uses an Electronically Reconfigurable System which allows the VCOs, VCFs and VCAs to be reconfigured, or "patched" like modular synthesizers, but without the patch cords.

For example, filters can be arranged in series for 4 pole or band-pass response, or in parallel for notch filtering. In addition, some configurations feature oscillator synchronization, filter frequency modulation or ring modulation.

The Rhodes Chroma has 16 LFOs (1 or 2 per voice) which are digitally generated -- shapes include: sine, cosine, offset sine, half sine, saw, square, lag square, 2 x triangles, random and 6 x patterns. The filter can be set to 24dB/oct low-, high-, band-pass or notch modes, or 12dB/oct low- or high-pass modes. It also has digitally generated ADSR envelopes.

The ARP Rhodes Chroma has a 64-note keyboard, which is velocity sensitive and weighted action, with optional polyphonic aftertouch capability (if installed). It can store 50 programs, is 2-part multi-timbral, and can also be expanded up to 32/16 voices of polyphony via the separate Chroma Expander unit (also quite rare).

In its standard configuration, editing the Rhodes Chroma in real-time is very difficult as it uses membrane panel buttons and a single data slider for changing parameters. However, today there are Behringer BCR2000 sysex templates available for download, as well as custom controllers available for purchase from manufacturers like StereoPing (https://www.stereoping.com/synth-prog...) and Red Shift Consulting's "ENABLER" (http://www.redshift-consulting.com/en...) which give you direct hands-on control via knob-per-function design.

I hope you enjoy this demo of the Rhodes Chroma by ARP. It is a colossal synth and versatile instrument, and sounds magnificent to this day. The raw power and tone from the Rhodes Chroma is something which must be heard in person, as some have suggested it is essentially a polyphonic ARP 2600. Needless to say, I was very impressed with this beautiful synth and its sounds. Hope you enjoy the demo."

Antonus 2600 Building Timelapse

Published on Jan 25, 2020 wutierson

"Timelapse of Antonus 2600 cabinet building process and final assembly. Many hours of work condensed in this video! The soundtrack is made using Antonus 2600 and Antonus Step Brother, multitrack and recorded in 6 takes.

Every Antonus 2600 have its cabinet made like the classic ARP 2600 using wood, Tolex and hardware using our hands. Every unit is made with people who works with care and love, like instruments was done in old times.
In Antonus we believe that this energy and intention is part of the the original instrument and we want to do in that way, maybe is not the easier or cheaper way but is the most sincere with the original spirit, more human feeling and less mass production / automated production."

The Super 6 Sounds Amazing #NAMM2020

Published on Jan 24, 2020 True Cuckoo

"SUPER 6 is a new synth from a relatively unknown company called UDO Audio. There's nothing about the form factor that can describe how unique the sound is. This is perhaps not the most innovative playing - but I simply can't get enough of this strangely gentle and immersive sound. Rarely do I find bass synth sounds such a welcoming place to stay. This is special.
Love it."

NAMM 2020 Empress Effects ZOIA Euroburo Modular

Published on Jan 20, 2020 True Cuckoo

"Empress Effects has made their modular ZOIA into a Eurorack module. A modular in the modular. It makes sense. It's full circle. Love."

MFB Synth Pro Sound Demo 2

Published on Jan 25, 2020 Maison Vague

Cool guitar patch one minute in.

"More sounds from the MFB Synth Pro 8-voice analog synthesizer.

Additional equipment used: Arturia Keylab Mk 2, Moog MF-108M 'Clusterflux' analog chorus, TC Electronic D-Two multi-fx, Apogee Ensemble audio interface, Ableton Live 10."

MFB Synth Pro posts

Patch of the Week 42: ARP 2600 – Approximating R2D2

Published on Jan 24, 2020 Korg

"The sounds for R2D2 for the original Star Wars were created using an ARP 2600 synthesizer, with some vocal input as well. How do we approximate the patch that was used?"

KORG Patch of the Week posts

Ducking Delay in VCV Rack (Tutorial)

Published on Jan 24, 2020 TheKlirrfaktor

"HowTo patch a ducking delay in VCV Rack.
Have fun!"

Vintage 1984 Roland "We Design The Future" Sweatshirt

via this auction

"Roland 1984 Retro Sweater - We Design the Future

Used state but good looking for its age.

Size M:

Height front: 60 cm, Height back: 66 cm, Neck-fist: 76 cm, Armhole contour: 66 cm"

This one was spotted and sent in via Jesús.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland CR-8000 CompuRhythm - Mint in Original Box

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Almost brand new sample of CR-8000 barely used, it its original box with the original dust cover. EU 220V model. No blemishes, scratchings, decolorations or malfunctions. All buttons work perfectly. Extremely rare to find a vintage drum machine is this state."

This one was spotted and sent in via Jesús.

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Performance Music Systems SYNTAR Turns 40

it’s been 40 years since the Performance Music Systems SYNTAR was introduced at the #namm show in #1980 by george mattson - bob #moog even got to try it out #keytar #namm2020 #eml #analog #synthesizer #ymo #rydeen #cover pic.twitter.com/mXVY8ypfP8

— sdf (@sdf_pubnix) January 19, 2020

via @sdf_pubnix

"it’s been 40 years since the Performance Music Systems SYNTAR was introduced at the #namm show in #1980 by george mattson - bob #moog even got to try it out #keytar #namm2020 #eml #analog #synthesizer #ymo #rydeen #cover"

Check out previous posts featuring the Syntar here.

The Syntar was the first self-contained synthesizer keytar. Before the Syntar, keytars were controllers. The Syntar was created by George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. There was a keyboardless version of the Syntar called the SWAN, or Syntar Without a Neck. A SWAN II was announced back in 2018, under development with Division 6.

Update: you can find a great article on the Syntar at Carbon111.com here, and an interview I did with George Mattson way back in 2006 here.