ARP RHODES CHROMA - MEXICO CHA CHA MAMBO - VON BRAINAURA MUSICC

Published on Aug 6, 2014 musivox

"PHANTASTICS FILMSCORE RELAXING CHILL OUT AMBIENT MUSIC ! FROM ARP RHODES CHROMA SOUND IMPRESSIONS WITH DIFFERENT LIFE ON 4 x STEREO TAPE RECORDED INTUITIEV FREE FROM THE IMAGINATION 2010 ARP RHODES CHROMA WITH CC+SYSEX MIDI AND 200 PATCHES IS ONE OF THE BEST ANALOG SYNTHESIZER .MORE MUSIC HERE FROM ME TO FIND ...."BRAINAURA MUSIC"! .....ALL MY MUSIC WHEN THEY HEAR TO BRAINAURA.-MUSIC ! THANK YOU! PLEASE GOOD COMMENTS!.....................

HALLO-SIE HÖREN HIER FILMMUSIK RELAXING CHILLOUT MIT ARP RHODES CHROMA UND SCHÖNEN VERSCHIEDENEN SOUND-IMPRESSIONEN,LIFE AUF 4 x STEREO TAPE INTUITIEV AUFGENOMMEN FREI AUS DER PHANTASIE ,2010 ES IST NUR EIN BESTIMMTER KLANGAUSCHNITT VON IHM-ABER ER KANN VIEL VIEL MEHR....DER ARP RHODES CHROMA HAT EIN CC+ SYSEX-MIDI MIT 200 SOUNDPLÄTZEN-WEITERE MUSIK VON MIR HIER BEI BRAINAURA-MUSIC;:VIELEN DANK FÜR IHR ZUHÖREN. ! BITTE KOMMENTARE GUTE !"

Mackie Control C4 template for Rhodes Chroma

via Michael Rosner

"We just released a template for the Rhodes Chroma CC+!

If you have this synth, you know it sounds great but super challenging to program...

This is the solution!

You have Rhodes Chroma C4 template screenshots plus audio demo here. [Update: It looks like the link is down. Fortunately, the templates do appear to be available on the Rhodes Chroma site here]

Cheers,

Michael
PS: You also have more than 20 synth templates to choose from:
- Arturia CS80 V2
- Arturia Minimoog V2
- Arturia Prophet V2 (Prophet 5 only)
- JL Cooper CS10 Emulator
- JoMox SunSyn
- Kenton Pro-Solo mkII
- Mackie HUI Equalizer Emulator
- Modartt Pianoteq V3.5
- Moog Memorymoog LAMM
- Oberheim Xpander / Matrix-12
- Octave Voyetra Eight REV4
- Rhodes Chroma CC+
- Roland Jupiter-6 Europa
- Roland MKS-50 / Juno-1 / Juno-2
- Roland MKS-70 V1.08
- Roland MKS-80
- SCI Prophet VS
- Waldorf Blofeld
- Waldorf Wave V1.804
- Yamaha DX11 / TX81Z
- Yamaha FS1R"

Synthchaser #118 - Rhodes Chroma Repair & Restoration Part 3 - MIDI, Programmer & Demo Sounds

Published on Apr 15, 2019 Synth Chaser

"In the last part of this series, we repaired the power supply & recapped this lovely Rhodes Chroma. Today I show you some of the upgrades I made to the Rhodes Chroma, and we have a listen to some of the many sounds the Chroma is capable of.

My usual disclaimer: none of the sample sounds played are intended to be musical, I am not demonstrating my musical ability (or total lack thereof), just showing some of the sounds the Chroma can make.

Parts, repairs, and synthesizers are available on my website."

Synthchaser Rhodes Chroma Repair

Rhodes Chroma Polaris

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

Super nice pics via this auction

"If you are looking at this, wise viewer, you already know what awaits; one of the most incredible polyphonic analog synthesizers ever created since the dawn of man and music. It would, in fact, not be too bold to state that this Rhodes Chroma Polaris completely embodies the timeless, incredibly sought-after sound of the 80s and beyond. From lush pads to stabbing leads, ringing pulse-modulated keys and shimmering textures, the Chroma Polaris was the absolute cutting edge of analog synthesizer technology at the time of its release in 1984. Any musician, with the means at their disposal, would be considered naught but addlebrained fools, to neglect bringing every resource to bear in acquiring this incredible machine with all due haste.

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Rhodes Chroma Tapper

Update from Chris in the comments section:
"If you do a search for "tapper" or "thunker" from the home page of rhodeschroma.com, you'll find a number of mentions of this feature of the Chroma. It can also be turned off. In the interview I did with Phil Dodds and Tony Williams, I asked how the "thunker" came about: http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=doddswilliams#thunker"



When I recently played a Rhodes Chroma for the first time I was astonished by the feel of the keyboard and the sound it produced. I had no idea what to expect, would this be a somewhat thinned down polysynth or would it have the brawn of the mighty poly analogs like the Oberheim OBXa, SCI Prophet 5, or Roland Jupiter 8. Well let's say it pretty much holds its own against these classics and actually outdoes them in some ways. The sound is absolutely full, thick analog, and the flexibility of routing and modulation options out does the above. But... this is not the point of this post. When I was playing with the Chroma I noticed a sort of thick clunk when pressing its membrane switches and for some parameters I heard this when moving its one editing slider. It through me off and I actually thought it was broken! I was actually a little relieved as at that point I figured there was no way I'd be tempted to buy this particular unit. But then it occurred to me that this might actually be by design. I played with a bit more and sure enough it was clear that this was on purpose. After using it a bit I began to appreciate the thudded tap - it added a certain weight and tactile response to editing the synth which would be missing without it. I find it fascinating that they took the time out to implement this and I'm left wondering if there are any other synths with it. At this point there is none that I know of. Title link takes you to more on this unique feature on the Rhodes Chroma site. BTW, I'm still blown away by the resources and support available on the Rhodes Chroma site. If there was ever a synth resource award, Chris Ryan would be on the top of my list. Links via Chris Ryan on AH.

Two links on the tapper:
http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=emm#shapingthesystem (picture)
http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=diagnostics#tapper

Rhodes Chroma Service Policy Guide

via Chris on the Rhodes Chroma list: "New on the site this month is Fender's Service Policy Guide for the Chroma. Thanks to Steve Grom of Fender for this information."

Here's an excerpt:
"1.1 Warranty Period
Rhodes Chroma synthesizers are warranted to the original purchaser only against defects in materials or workmanship for one full year from date of purchase.

1.2 Limitations
The warranty becomes void if the serial number is defaced or removed, or the product has been damaged by alteration, misuse, accident or neglect. Any warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS implied by law is limited to the duration of this express limited warranty. Some states do not allow limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to State."

Be sure to check the full policy here and then check out the rest of the Rhodes Chroma site. It is probably the best site dedicated to an individual synth out there with "over 250 pages of historical and technical information compiled, written and edited by Chris Ryan." The Chroma Polaris is covered as well.

Rhodes Chroma & ARP 2600 Demo of Sounds

YouTube Published on May 22, 2012 by ricel1992

"Just wanted to make this quick demo of some ARP 2600 sounds for a buyer. If you are looking for a synth that sounds old school and literally can cross into that Close Encounters territory you can't do better than a 2600. The reverb on these synths is absolutely beautiful and sounds great with a guitar through it.

The 2600 is being controlled externally by my Rhodes Chroma through an encore expressionist"

Rhodes Chroma

Published on May 22, 2012 by ricel1992

"Quick sound demo of my Rhodes Chroma that came in the other week. I like how it's predecessor (the 2600) looks on top of it [I think he means successor - the Chroma was ARP's final synth and meant to be their ultimate flagship synth. The project was taken over by Rhodes when ARP went under]. This thing really does sound gorgeous and is amazing at atmospheric type stuff. It also can make some great brass and bass sounds. This one has aftertouch and midi so it is extremely flexible. I don't know why everyone complains about programming this thing so much. Sure it's not like a 2600 with the sliders and patch points right in front of you but it is not like you have to conjure up some magic to program it. It is deep and extremely inspirational."

Rhodes Chroma poly synth, with CC+ cpu upgrade SN 21030544

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

via this auction

"The Rhodes Chroma is one of the most unique and interesting sounding polysynths ever built. For lots of information on this synth, please google 'rhodes chroma' and the Rhodes Chroma website will be in the top few links. This Chroma has been restored electrically, all voices tune properly and sound great. I replaced the original CPU with a CC+ board and the original (flawed) power supply with an SPSU. These upgrades make it fully controllable by MIDI and very reliable."

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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 Site Updates

Via Chris Ryan on the Rhodes Chroma list:

"A bit of a diversion this month: I've received a number of requests for information about the Chroma site, its history, design, and implementation. I have expanded the "About This Site" page into a section that includes information on the origins and growth of the site; data on visitors, referrers, and page popularity; an overview of visual and interactive design considerations; and a discussion of Web standards (XHTML/CSS) issues and the PHP framework I put together for the site. I have also broken out contributors onto a separate page.

The site enters its ninth year in February, and over the years there have been over a million page views, with about a third occurring in 2006. There were over 38,000 visitors last year, the best year ever and about five times the number of visitors in 2000. Thanks everyone for your continued participation and contributions.

Happy 2007 to all!

Chris"

Title link takes you there. The new links are currently under the Site News section on the left. If you haven't been there before, I encourage you to take a look. It is hands down the best resource site for any given synthesizer. The list is fairly active as Chris Ryan is continuously providing new resources and new life to both the site, list and the Rhodes Chroma itself.

Previous Rhodes Chroma posts

“The Masterpiece” Vintage Rhodes Chroma

via this auction

SN 21030828

"This beloved, historically significant keyboard has been carefully upgraded in 1986 at the CBS Fender Rhodes factory where they replaced the power supply and new eproms, and again in 2009 by Steve "Doc" Hickerson, a factory authorized Chroma technician who put in a brand new, completely redesigned power supply and brought the keyboard to like new spec. Doc has worked on Chroma's since they were introduced. He has a reputation for experienced, knowledgable, excellent work and has been trusted by a list of famous performers, to include Eric Clapton.

This is my 2nd Chroma. I purchased the first in June of 1983 at Music Sound World in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I was writing music for the soundtrack of “The Masterpiece” (Called Toymaker’s Dream back then).

In 1984 CBS/Fender sent me a brand new (improved edition) Chroma, with the latest version of their upgrades and fixes. This is the one is the one being sold here.

Back then, the Rhodes Chroma was a REVELATION! It put million dollar sound technology at the touch of our fingers for a mere $5600. Amazing.

By today's standards it's still well specified. It was the only open architecture, multi-voiced, portable synth commercially available with a weighted keyboard and a programmable Expander (not included) that allowed for layering performances and sequencing those performances on a computer (before MIDI). I ran this one on an Apple IIE for awhile with MasterTracks 8 channel software and it performed perfectly.

We finished the soundtrack for “The Masterpiece” and I recorded a solo album with it 1985.

The rapid fire changes in keyboards caused by the introduction of MIDI made the Chroma an instrument better left to my home studio. That’s exactly where it has remained operating as the master keyboard in my suite through a Chromaface MIDI interface, for years (also being sold on eBay). The sheer weight of the Chroma (142 lbs. in the anvil flight case) made it impractical for the road. When it wasn't in use it was cased and carefully taken care of."

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CC+ Firmware Update for Rhodes Chroma

via David Clarke on the Rhodes Chroma list:

"Thank you all for your ongoing participation in the Chroma CPU Plus (CC+) project.

Firmware Release 217 (http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=cpuplusfirmware#217) has just been made available.

Based on user requests, the newly released version of firmware adds the following items:

* Native support for the SparkFun serial LCD controller
* Autotune failure information display [Set Split 40]
* User-defined MIDI velocity mapping
* Auto-send of patch parameters with a Program Change

Two elements are also changed in this release:

* Correction for the ‘reset’ issue noted here:
http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=2012&month=01#cpuplusfirmwarehiccup

* Update the MIDI Continuous Controller “Prog” Mode to allow automatic LCD decoding of patches from BCR2000, Enabler, iPad, etc.

Details and other notes are below:

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Rhodes Chroma - one song - one synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by The Synth King

You can find a playlist of single synth demos by The Synth King here.

"Here is another video with the RHODES CHROMA and a song exclusively produced with sounds from this single instrument. I use Steinberg Cubase 10.5 as DAW. FXs are Waves H-delay and Valhalla vintage verb.

Drums & persussion were also designed with the Chroma, then sampled, processed and imported into Steinberg Grovve Agent. Mastering has been done with Waves L2, thats it. Enjoy the music !!"

via this auction

"8 note polyphonic synthesizer. One of only 2000 manufactured in the early 1980's, if you are interested in this one you will most probably know much more about them than me however you can read all about them if you click . The link will take you to a 27 year old article in Sound on Sound which refers to the value of a used Chroma at £1,500, those were the days, to put things into perspective a German owner recently advertised a faulty one on eBay at £15,000 so our valuation of £7,000 for a fully working model seems exceptionally fair. No offers please.

The Rhodes Chroma was never fitted with Midi during manufacture but it was possible to fit a Midi modification. When this one came in it had a fault which was caused by the Midi mod which no longer worked, during the service of the Chroma Adrian removed the faulty Midi kit and made other repairs so it is now 100% however the non-functioning midi sockets are still fitted to the unit."

Rhodes Chroma Registry Hits 200 Chromas

Via Chris Ryan on the Rhodes Chroma List:
"With the addition of Mal Meehan's Chroma 21030075, we now have 200 instruments in the registry. Whether there were 1500 or 3000 Chromas manufactured and sold, this is surely a significant portion of those still in use. I think this is one of the more interesting parts of the site, as it documents the history of the individual synthesizers. If you haven't sent me info on your Chroma, please consider forwarding even just the serial number and a brief blurb."

BTW, if you haven't checked out the Rhodes Chroma site, you owe yourself a visit. It is hands down the best resource site I've seen for any given synth. If you have a Chroma, please take the time out to visit and register - you can do so anonymously. The point is not to keep tabs on who owns one, but rather on how many are still out there. Think about it. 200 people took the time out to register on this site. That's pretty amazing. If you do take the time to register feel free to post an anonymous, or not, comment here. I'm curious if I manage to help the cause. : )

Synthesizer von Gestern - Rhodes Chroma Tracks

You can listen to two Rhodes Chroma tracks on the Rhodes Chroma site. You will also find the full track listing with notes for Volume 1. This is a follow-up to these posts.

via Chris Ryan in the comments of this post. Chris actually hosts the excellent Rhodes Chroma site.

Rhodes Chroma SN 21030247

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

via this auction

Tons of pics of the inside and voice boards below.

"Rhodes Chroma S/N Y 21030247
In beautiful condition, has had all voice cards recapped and calibrated, CC+ & Midi breakout box, new Switching PSU plus lots of spares as follows
3 x spare voice cards (2 recapped and populated, one sacrificial)
Spare Channel mother board
Spare key contact assembly (refurbished)
Spare Mod Leaver assembly
Refurbished dual foot switch
Spare front and top wood trims (2 pieces total)
Standard foot switch
Chroma Volume Pedal
4 x NOS CEM 3350
Chroma Performance manual x 2
Chroma Programming Manual x 2
Chroma Interface Manual
Chroma Sequencer Manual
Chroma Program Printouts Folder
Card Schematics that my tech gave me detailing what’s been done and parts required.
Original Road case (in the process of re foaming to original specs)
Behringer BCR Controller with synth graphics overlay (not pictured but mint)"

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Rhodes Chroma Expander Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"That is right. You can believe your eyes. This is a fully functional Rhodes Chroma Expander. I have never seen one for sale on eBay or anywhere else over the last few years. I would dare say that this may be one of the few chances you will ever have to own one.

This Rhodes Chroma Expander, serial #0110, has been completely painstakingly restored internally over the last 3 1/2 years at Three Wave Music. Prior to that, additional restoration work was done by David Wilson at the Synth Museum in New Hampshire. You will want to refinish the wood to bring it back to its former glory as the outside is not where you will want it to be. There are also a couple of small spots where the front panel membrane is slightly lifted but it does not interfere in any way with performance of the unit. Three Wave Music secured it and made sure it was stable.

It is interesting to watch the interest in Arp 2600s. This is literally 6 of those synths [it actually isn't - totally different architecture and implementation - see etheory's comments below]; it is polyphonic, AND PROGRAMMABLE [correct]. It eats 2600's for breakfast. This one also has an upgraded power supply, and onboard MIDI with the CC+ upgrade. if you look at the invoice, you'll see there was a multitude of work done to bring it back to spec. $1700 of restoration at Three Wave Music alone. Operational manuals for the synth and CC+ are readily available on the Rhodes Chroma website."

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Rhodes Chroma Pressure Sensor Retrofit Kit

"Yet another addition to the repertoire of accessories for the Rhodes Chroma Synthesizer thunk up by members of the mailing list! Polyphonic Keyboard Pressure or After Touch along with key velocity offers the ultimate in keyboard synthesizer modulation, nuance and expressiveness. I never understood why so few synthesizers have it, but now you can have it in your Rhodes Chroma!"

You'll find full details on the excellent Rhodes Chroma site here.

Rhodes Chroma Edit Panel for Cubase SX3

Title link takes you to the mapping in xml format. Via Åke on the Rhodes Chroma list. If you have the CC+ update for the Rhodes Chroma, this allows you to edit paramaters dynamically via Cubase SX.

Update: This is currently on the Rhodes Chroma site along with other editors.

Rhodes Chroma Poly-aftertouch

Title link takes you to a new addition to the Rhodes Chroma site - the original documentation from Fender on the Rhodes Chroma Poly-aftertouch. BTW, if you haven't checked out the Rhodes Chroma site, do it. It's probably the most comprehensive and active sites dedicated to a given synth.

"The Pressure Sensor is a fully programmable, polyphonic, after-touch, pressure sensor. With it, the performer can effect one or more notes, independently of each other, in a number of programmable ways. The degree of the effect is controlled by the amount of finger pressure applied to one or more keys after they have been struck. The Pressure Sensor can be used to bend the pitch, add vibrato, control sweep speeds, accelerate attack times, accelerate decay times, modulate wave shape width, add or subtract brilliance, and/or control loudness. Any one effect or a combination of several effects may be used in a program. The Pressure Sensor is truly polyphonic; only the note sounding from each pressed key will be affected. Also, the effect can be latched if the key or keys are released rapidly. For example, if a note is bent sharp and the sustain pedal is depressed and the key is quickly release; the sustaining note will stay at the bent pitch."

Unfortunately most Chromas do not have polyphonic aftertouch. Even without, it is one of the most expressive synthesisers ever made.