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ChromaTalk Archives: January 2008

Polaris EPROM Code

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 1 Jan 2008 09:57:35 -0800

New on the Chroma site this month is Polaris EPROM code binary files and installation instructions for Rev 9 firmware. Thanks to David Clarke [21030085++, 300831++] for this information.

Happy 2008 to everyone.

chroma in swedish online store

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:57:58 +0100

Not sure, but it may very well be one of the ones mentioned by me here earlier;

http://www.jamshop.se/synth-analog-vintage.html

30000 SEK which is in the region of 2000+ pounds or 4000+ dollars. They even refer to the chromasite for more info. I'll mail to check the serial - cheers!

Picture:

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:00:30 +0100

Update - it's lately of finnish origin, he'll check it out tomorrow and also reported that he sold a Chroma years ago to the US but to a trickster who never payed. He has the serial noted somewhere and would check for that too while at it... :)

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:10:48 +0100

The one for sale in Stockholm is already in the registry. There belonging to Douglas Carr. Now fitted with the Kenton midi he mentions on the site...

21030484

Bay Area Chroma Owners?

Michael Welch [21030384] · Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:31:01 -0800

Chroma Community,

My Chroma returned from Peter Miller's bench in late December, having been wonderfully brought back (except for one voice card - I'll attend to that later). I had much fun refinishing its wooden cabinet, reclaiming it from foam rot, and it now takes up a prominent space in my home studio.

Tonight, I officially fell under the spell of its charm...What a beautiful instrument - it is resonant and responsive unlike any synth I've every played.

I do have a request of the community. I have purchased a Syntech midi interface that was offered recently on eBay. It is not currently functional, at least with my Chroma. The owner has graciously agreed to accept it as a return. However, before I accept his offer, I'd like to determine if it is my Chroma that is the issue, or if the fault is with the interface. The previous owner was not able to test it as he no longer has his instrument.

Are there any Bay Area Chroma owners that would allow me to test this Syntech midi device?

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:05:59 +0100

Michael Welch skrev:

My Chroma returned from Peter Miller's bench in late December, having been wonderfully brought back (except for one voice card - I'll attend to that later). I had much fun refinishing its wooden cabinet, reclaiming it from foam rot, and it now takes up a prominent space in my home studio.

Congrat's!

Tonight, I officially fell under the spell of its charm...What a beautiful instrument - it is resonant and responsive unlike any synth I've every played.

It's wonderful, size and responsiveness gives it a central place in my studio too. I messed around with my stands yesterday to fit everything I wanted in the same place. You can guess I got scared when i suddenly dropped 18 kilo sampler from the shelf above the Chroma. Only a small nick in the woodwork below the keys. *puh*

Are there any Bay Area Chroma owners that would allow me to test this Syntech midi device?

Good idea... otherwise, go for the CC+ which should solve all issues since the board on the inside is new too. I simply love my Chroma girl these days...

Chroma Sound Sample 'Fade Away' Patch Design

Michael Welch [21030384] · Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:28:53 -0800

Chroma Community,

Now that I've dug into the Chroma, I'm learning the programming of the instrument. I really like the patch used on the sound sample Olli posted at bluesynths called 'Fade Away:'

http://www.bluesynths.com/modules.php?name=Sounds&rop=getfile&id=110&no=1239809b

Would any member of this group care to venture a description of how to build such a patch? ;-)

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:53:32 +0100

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the bluesynth patches downloadable? Or we'll just check with Olli!

Michael Welch [21030384] · Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:05:39 -0800

While the demo MP3 is downloadable, what I'm seeking is a directional sense of how the patch was constructed from a sound design perspective. It sounds like two voices in unison augmented by external effects.

Olli - if you're a member of this board, could you comment on how you built this patch? It is a beautiful example of what can be done on a Chroma.

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Sat, 05 Jan 2008 09:43:18 +0100

Yes, I see what you mean. A detailed description by Olli then? I thought they were downloadable and was mixing it up with the cool blue patches.

To me it sounds like a detuned string-sound with a lot of reverb. Not the hardest to copy, but sure, I wouldn't mind Olli sharing either. ;)

Olli [21010284] · Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:36:31 +0100

hi all, thanks for the compliment. it's always nice to get some feedback.

well, iirc, jesper is right, the sound is pretty simple (i didn't backup my patches after the mainboard update). its actually just a double saw patch with some mod on "pulse width" which is one of the nice features of the chroma as it allows to subtly change the sound of the VCO... and then, of course, there is plenty of reverb and 2 or three tracks with the same sound playing different notes.

Olli [21010284] · Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:37:25 +0100

its NOT unison... lol

Chroma and Syntech Interface on eBay

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:01:56 -0800

Two items from the same seller in California:

Chroma, item #300188069982, "Buy It Now" for US$2299, ends January 15. From the description: "I purchased the synth from the original owner less than a month ago and found that it is a bit to spacious for me to keep around. The unit is in perfect working order and excellent physical shape. There are a few scratches and nix here and there but nothing major at all. It will come in anvil case (which needs to be refoamed), with power cable and all original documentation and even a cassette with original programs."

Picture:

Syntech MIDI Interface, item #300188072574, "Buy It Now" for US$399, ends January 15. Original branded Syntech. From the description: "The unit is in perfect functional condition and will come with original documentation."

Picture:

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sat, 05 Jan 2008 22:28:37 -0800

Chroma, item #300188069982

Heard back from the seller; this is Chroma #21030907, new to the registry.

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:39:38 -0800

Sold for the asking price of US$2299.

Knob box

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:10:21 -0800

Anyone have plans on perhaps building some knob boxes for sale? I would be willing to pay $400 or so for one for sure......I'd think others would be interested as well. It'd be exactly the thing to nudge me into ordering the CC+ a little sooner. ;)

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:43:51 +0100

I can get you a Doepfer Drehbank [see also previous threads setting up midi control] with customised settings at that price! ;)

BTW, my Chroma has been turned off during the autumn due to studio re-build. Now it's virtually on the margins of tuning tolerances. Sometimes every card is OK, sometimes just three or four. The temperature is 10 degrees (Celcius that is) lower now in the studio compared to august so I guess that has something to do with it too since it seems to get better once the girl is hot enough. I'm not keen on fiddling with it if not necessary, but according to you non-techs on the list - how hard is it just to get it back within tuning tolerances? I say "non-techs" 'cause I consider myself one too. I've done basic fixes in a number of my synths and a few mods too, but I sure is no pro...

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:47:02 -0800

See also some of the prior threads on the topic, such as "Chroma Knob and alternatives;" "setting up midi control;" and "controllers survey - who likes what?"

You can also do a Google search of the site from the home page.

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:59:46 -0800

Has anyone heard of any more info about the Chromanoff interface that was mentioned awhile back?

Go to next message in thread, February 2008

Another Syntech Interface on eBay

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:18:30 -0800

Item #330202161879, starting bid US$75, no bids yet, ends January 12. Sold from California. From the description: "This particular unit is mounted in a non-standard housing; otherwise, tested in perfect working condition. Guaranteed working; seven day money back coverage."

Interesting that it's not in its original box; perhaps someone made some dupes at some point.

Picture:

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:07:29 -0800

Does the Syntech midi interface always draw its power from the Chroma? Just wondering if that power draw could screw things up in my keyboard. I've got the Chromaface right now which I'm powering with an adaptor.

David Clarke [21030085++] · Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:44:20 -0500

The Syntech does always draw its power from the Chroma. It's not a terribly large draw - so a well functioning Chroma supply would have no problem in powering it.

(As an aside, while the Chromaface is normally powered by an external adapter, many have been internally mod'ed to also take their power from the Chroma, thus avoiding the need for the external power cube.)

While the Chromaface does offer basic functionality, the Syntech interface is a more capable interface.

Endorsement of Greg Montalbano / Analog Synthesizer Service

Michael Welch [21030384] · Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:31:53 -0800

Chroma List,

Having recently gone through a complete renovation of a Rhodes Chroma, I cannot endorse strongly enough Greg Montalbano for the repair of Chromas. Greg has a very deep understanding of the instrument, and takes tremendous pride in his work. In addition, he lacks a store-front shop, and to leverage his service, one does not need to wade through a village of surly support personnel. Greg recently repaired a Syntech midi interface and a non-functioning voice card. His work was quick, professional, and was priced very fairly. I highly recommend working with him on any vintage analog,

Matrix [21030220] · Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:37:27 -0800

Where is he located? Just curious. I have an OB-Xa that needs some work.

Doug Terrebonne [21030114] · Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:13:06 -0800

Greg's in Oakland, CA. He is also THE guy for Sequential repairs (why people still use Wine Country is a mystery to me)...

Matrix [21030220] · Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:05:30 -0800

Thanks. I got his contact info thanks to Michael Welch. I also realized I had his website on me. Here it is for others: http://analogsynthservice.com

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:33:21 -0800

Just a reminder that the first place to look for this kind of information is ... the Rhodes Chroma site! :)

Service Centres: Analog Synthesizer Service

How Many Chromas?

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:01:37 -0800

An update on this old topic [see FAQ: How many Chromas were manufactured?]. I have put together an index of all the instruments in the registry, more than 225 in total.

Across model numbers, there are now seven overlaps between Chromas in the registry, and fourteen between Chromas and Expanders (and this out of a known population of only about twenty-five Expanders). This would seem to prove that the models all had their own number series. Given that the 2101 series reaches to 305; 2102 to 10; 2103 as high as 936; 2104 to 12; along with about 10 model 1631 and 135 1633 Expanders, it would seem that, assuming that there were no gaps, approximately 1400 instruments were produced in all. (There are also a few instruments with out of range or absent serial numbers, but the number doesn't seem to be significant.) This is not close to the 3000 that Philip Dodds claimed in the Mark Vail Keyboard interview.

Riccardo Grotto [21010249+] · Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:31:25 -0800

Hello everybody,

this will mean that "our" synths are rare and for this reason more valuable (in reputation and money) than they currently seem to be. My experience is this: after many years of collecting old vintage analogs, I decided to sell my collection (many reasons, most of them totally insane).

In six months with little advertising I sold something like more than 30 machines. I did not sold them at stratospheric prices, but they were surely not cheap. For instance $5150 for a Cs80 and $5900 for a prophet 10 (prices in dollars at today's exchange ratio). The Chromas I wanted to sell were quoted far less, but they received no interest.

Price itself was not the major problem. The fact is that this machine has a bad reputation of failures and difficult programming (it's like a DX7) and it does not have the same quotation in terms of "sound" as a Prophet 5. No matters if my synths are all equipped with the new CC+ which is a great improvement in all the problematic issues (programmability first with the total MIDI implementation).

I wonder why this happens. IMHO, four are the polyphonic machines which one must have (or at least play once): memorymoog, CS80, OBX, Chroma. Bad reputation probably also comes from journalists Why does this happened?

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:42:52 +0100

Hello everybody, this will mean that "our" synths are rare and for this reason more valuable (in reputation and money) than they currently seem to be.

Very true.

For instance $5150 for a Cs80 and $5900 for a prophet 10 (prices in dollars at today's exchange ratio). The Chromas I wanted to sell were quoted far less, but they received no interest.

It's a thing about "legendary status" I think. CS80 has "Vangelis" written all over it and Prophet 10 sounds like two times Prophet 5 in everyone's ears.

Price itself was not the major problem. The fact is that this machine has a bad reputation of failures and difficult programming (it's like a DX7) and it does not have the same quotation in terms of "sound" as a Prophet 5. No matters if my synths are all equipped with the new CC+ which is a great improvement in all the problematic issues (programmability first with the total MIDI implementation). I wonder why this happens. IMHO, four are the polyphonic machines which one must have (or at least play once): memorymoog, CS80, OBX, Chroma. Bad reputation probably also comes from journalists Why does this happened?

I remember first time I saw a Chroma. It looked weird and boring and hard to understand. The CC+ solved much of issues that's given it a bad reputation, but it's still a very new concept but I think that if we give it a few years there will be as much talk about CC+ as there is about oscillator board types in Minis and filter "blocks" in ARPs etc.

The site and this list (with it's archive) is also a huge reference but as long as there are Chroma carcasses on Ebay I think the prices will stay low...

My two swedish ören...

Wanting correct measurments for Chroma flightcase including pedal compartment.

TB [21030106] · Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:45:59 +0100

Hello!

Have been searching the rhodeschroma site with two measurments as a result:

  1. Performance Manual: Specifications - case(?): 44.25" x 28" x 11.75" (114 x 71 x 30cm)
  2. Brochure: Specifications synth: Length: 41.5" - Depth: 24" - Height: 6.125"

Could someone please confirm that this is correct? Would also need measurments for the pedal compartment.

Your information is greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

"Hopefully soon to be a Chroma owner".

Chroma #21030348 for sale

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:06:04 -0800

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that I'm selling my Chroma on Ebay right now for $2300. Pick up only in Kenosha, Wisconsin. (About an hour north of Chicago) . The Chroma was serviced less than a year ago and functions perfectly. Comes with JL Cooper Midi, manuals, cassetes, and 2 extra voice cards.

[Item #110219280721]

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:40:00 -0800

I sat down in front of the Chroma for a half-hour.....changed my mind and ended my E-bay listing. Sorry for the spam folks!

Mal Meehan [21010182++] · Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:57:05 +0000

Well done Richard

A wise decision... the more I play my Chroma's the more I don't play my other poly synths - it sounds that good.

Too many Chroma's changing hands these days.

Jeff Bova [21030407++] · Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:01:02 -0800

Richard,

I don't blame you one bit! I can hear your Chroma giving a big sigh of relief!

All the best,

Jeff Bova

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:16:45 -0800

Funny, I just came up with a sound that sounds like a cross between a female sigh/moan and a wounded animal. I came up with it after messing with a choir patch. :)

and It just occured to me that my tax refund will be coming soon..........so I'll be stashing some aside to upgrade the Chroma this year finally. I guess I'm in it for the long haul. :)

I've been regretting selling my Polaris a few months ago....it sounded sooo good. But half the buttons were already out and I knew it was just a matter of time.....I shoul've taken it to Good Guys...they could have fixed 'er...

Go to next message in thread, February 2008

i have an extra cpu board thingy

Michael Salmon [21030155] · Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:47:37 -0800

hi everyone,

i got the cc+ installed awhile ago and don't know what to do with the original controller/cpu board thing. anyone know a use or want it for anything? if you just mail me a small box (15"x5"x10" should do) with postage i'll mail it back.

Kevin Kelley [21030491+] · Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:21:16 -0800

Please send me your address and I will gladly send you a box and some $$$ for return.

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:31:20 -0800

We had a brief discussion about this last summer [see CPU Board on eBay, August 2007]: seems to me it would be a good idea to keep the original board as a backup and for collector's value.

Go to next message in thread, February 2008