ChromaTalk Archives: November 2011
- Re: Alternate Displays to use with CC+ Alphanumeric Display Capability? (3 messages)
- Chroma key contact replacement parts
- JLcooper Chromaface for sale
- Manuals on eBay (3)
- Rev. 14 ROM Set on eBay (3)
- "Programming Service Manual" on eBay
- Chroma broke (2)
- Chroma CPU board faulty..? (5)
- More Manuals and Computer Interface Software Disks on eBay (13)
- chroma on ebay UK (7)
- WTB Chroma voice boards (5)
Re: Alternate Displays to use with CC+ Alphanumeric Display Capability?
Go to first message in thread, October 2011
August B. Raring [21010148] · Tue, 1 Nov 2011 18:54:39 +0100
Hi David,
I already have installed the parallax display and for me there is no need for an alternate one.
Matt Thomas [21010021] · Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:01:48 +0000
Are there photos online or a youtube link showing the display in use?
August B. Raring [21010148] · Tue, 1 Nov 2011 22:09:27 +0100
No, there aren't, but I will try to upload a photo here.
Go to next message in thread, December 2011
Chroma key contact replacement parts
John Shipley [21030689] · Thu, 3 Nov 2011 14:14:29 -0700
Hey, I am looking for any listings of where I can find replacement key contact parts for a couple of keys that I broke. Also is there a "how-to" manual on how to replace them. Thanks for your help.
JLcooper Chromaface for sale
Daniel Benoit [21030109] · Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:13:37 -0500
Hi
As the result of upgrading to the CC+ I have a Jlcooper Chromaface interface + PSU+cable for sale. Since I never used this interface, it is sold as is. I have checked the internal CPU's signals with a oscillocope, it's showing clocking activity.
I'm asking $35.00. Located I'm Montreal.
PM if interrested
Manuals on eBay
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 8 Nov 2011 23:05:44 -0800
Programming Manual: item #180749567117, USD$49.95, ends November 10. "In good condition."
Service Manual: item #170722773748, ends November 10. "In good condition." "PRELIM" is written on the front, so it might be the 1982 version with ARP schematics.
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:52:35 -0800
Programming Manual: item #180749567117, USD$49.95, ends November 10. "In good condition."
Sold for USD$31.00.
Service Manual: item #170722773748, ends November 10. "In good condition." "PRELIM" is written on the front, so it might be the 1982 version with ARP schematics.
Re-listed as item #170727269530.
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:11:46 -0800
Re-listed as item #170727269530.
Sold for USD$35.00.
Rev. 14 ROM Set on eBay
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Wed, 9 Nov 2011 17:44:36 -0800
Item #290630343683, starting bid USD$29.99, no bids yet, ends November 11.
Paul DeRocco [21030230] · Wed, 9 Nov 2011 22:09:43 -0800
In a sane world, a bunch of freshly programmed EPROMs would be worth more than an authentic original set, because the latter would probably be on the verge of dropping bits from age anyway.
David Clarke [21030085++] · Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:52:44 -0500
There should be 8 chips for a full set. While there are 8 there, one of them seems to be marked KBD/SCN (implying it might be for the keyboard scanner and not a main firmware image chip.) (The missing label appears to be for Z33).
"Programming Service Manual" on eBay
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:09:24 -0800
Item #170727305250, USD$39.95, ends November 18. Looks like the Programming Manual; perhaps the Service Manual is also included; I've asked the seller. At any rate, it looks like a photocopy, so doesn't have much value given that it's available on the site.
Chroma broke
Tero Koski · Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:09:54 +0200
Hello
Two weeks ago my Chroma broke. I powered it up and few minutes after outputs began to make a great noise/buzz. After powering it down and back again the same noise/buzz was there, but Chroma did not boot or any lights were lit.
I have been reading this mailing list for a year, so I think that this is the power supply issue. I have order a new one from Luca [21010226]. But if something else is broken inside Chroma, I need assistance from more experienced Chroma users.
Is there some tips how to proceed in this kind of situation? How to know, if CPU is busted etc.
Thank you. This mailing list and Rhodes Chroma website was one of the reasons to buy a Chroma. In case of emergency at least there are some possibilities to get help.
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:19:54 -0800
On 13/11/2011, at 11:09 AM, Tero Koski wrote:
Is there some tips how to proceed in this kind of situation? How to know, if CPU is busted etc.
I'll defer to the more technically capable on the list for specifics, but a good place to start is Martin Straw's Hardware Fault Diagnosis & Repair.
Chroma CPU board faulty..?
Rob Pugh · Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:31:04 +0000
Hi everyone,
I have recently inherited a Chroma, which is in excellent cosmetic condition, but does not function properly..!
When turned on, some of the lights turn on, but the order and number of lights change every time you switch on and off again. There seems to be no correlation. About 1 in 50 attempts the Chroma fires up, and responds to activity, but there is no sound output at all.
I have had the power supply rebuilt, so all of the voltages are up to scratch. I was hoping this would fix the problem but it hasn't!
If anyone has any info/ideas about this I would be very grateful
Cheers
Rob
Doug Terrebonne [21030114] · Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:59:58 -0800
Hi, first thing to check is the condition of the batteries on the CPU board. Is there signs of leakage or corrosion?
Rob Pugh · Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:11:26 +0000
Hi Doug,
Thanks for your reply.
The battery holder was totaly disintergrated with acid, I have now removed this and put a new one in its place. I fear it has done some damage though.. There are a few tracks which have gone a darker shade of green and a small track near where the battery terminals connect to the board which looks a little worst for wears!
Doug Terrebonne [21030114] · Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:24:22 -0800
Oh OK yeah been down that road myaelf. Spent many hours trying to fix all the bad traces and components on a battery leak damaged board. My advice is to get a new CC+ CPU board and forget about the old one.
Rob Pugh · Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:45:08 +0000
Doug,
I have been in contact with the chaps who are making these new boards, the problem is that they are not making any more boards until next year now..
Im based in Cardiff, Wales, do you know anyone who could sell me a board in the uk?
Or even somebody who has upgrade to the cc+ board, but still has a working original cpu board?
Again cheers for your help
The instrument was put up for sale; see chroma on ebay UK below.
More Manuals and Computer Interface Software Disks on eBay
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:23:40 -0800
Performance Manual, item #170729195150, USD$29.95.
Performance Manual (spiral bound--perhaps a photocopy), item #170729195523, USD$29.95.
Programming Manual, item #180755740728, USD$39.95.
Computer Interface Software, item #180755740728, USD$49.95. From the description: "A set of 4 Rhodes Chroma Programming 5 1/2 Floppy Disks. These have to be considered ultra-rare especially in this new old stock condition. There appear to be two separate revisions here, Revision 4 (1982) and Revision 5 (1984)."
All end November 21.
Pictures from the auctions:
Paul DeRocco [21030230] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:08:58 -0800
Computer Interface Software, item #180755740728, USD$49.95. From the description: "a set of 4 Rhodes Chroma Programming 5 1/2 Floppy Disks. These have to be considered ultra-rare especially in this new old stock condition. There appear to be two separate revisions here, Revision 4 (1982) and Revision 5 (1984)."
Almost as rare as a computer that will run them.
Rob Witt · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:19:56 -0500
Paul -
;-)
Recall the cpm office mini back in Cummings Park?
Doug Terrebonne [21030114] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:53:59 -0800
Apple ][s aren't exactly rare. I just wish he had the interface card otherwise the siftware isn't of much use. Anyone have the Apple ][ Chroma card?
Dave Blees [21030552] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:27:17 -0800
I must have an Apple ][ card buried in some junk stash around here. If anybody really wants it, let me know and I'll do some digging. Who knows, I may have a couple of those original floppies as well...
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:32:13 -0800
I would also like to re-acquire the Apple ][ card at some point. Mine was stolen, along with my computer, in the mid-1980s. Checking eBay, it looks like working Apple II series computers can be had for reasonable prices these days.
Paul DeRocco [21030230] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:41:43 -0800
Recall the cpm office mini back in Cummings Park?
You mean the MP/M system, don't you? It had four memory cards that held the apps, and that the system would dynamically switch among, so that each app thought it was running CP/M. A kluge by any standards, but still probably a cleaner design than the Apple II that Tony [Williams] developed the Chroma sequencer on.
Paul DeRocco [21030230] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:43:40 -0800
I would also like to re-acquire the Apple ][ card at some point. Mine was stolen, along with my computer, in the mid-1980s. Checking eBay, it looks like working Apple II series computers can be had for reasonable prices these days.
Nowadays, someone could write an Apple II emulator that ran on a PC, and it would run vastly faster than the original.
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:52:08 -0800
How would one hook it up so that the Fender Music System would run, though?
Paul DeRocco [21030230] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:59:40 -0800
One would have to write an emulator for the plugin card, too, which talks to some sort of parallel output device, perhaps based on some little Atmel AVR chip that connects via USB.
But it's so much cleaner just to use a modern sequencer with the CC+, or even with a Syntech converter.
Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:03:36 -0800
Sure. But I didn't lose my floppies in the robbery, and it would be interesting to retrieve the patches and sequences, if the disks haven't deteriorated after a quarter century.
Dave Bradley [16330135] · Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:38:29 -0600
It's possible that I still have my Apple interface card somewhere. I still have the seq. manuals, but unlikely that I have the software disks.
Chris Smalt [21010280+] · Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:34:03 +0100
otherwise the siftware isn't of much use.
Siftware - I like that word.
Go to next message in thread, December 2011
chroma on ebay UK
Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:09:44 +0100
[eBay item #120816856644]
Pictures from the auction:
David Clarke [21030085++] · Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:06:44 -0500
Based on the seller name and the description, I have to assume that this is the unit discussed earlier on the list [Chroma CPU board faulty..?].
Rob Pugh · Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:40:56 +0000
David,
Correct, this is mine/my friends, yes..
Any questions?
Luca Sasdelli [21010226] · Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:53:16 +0100
Hi Rob,
the "pick-up only" seems a big limitation to me; any chances to arrange it for shipping? :)
Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:03:35 +0100
german [sic] Ebay sold
725 euros [see Price History], but with only 3 voice boards in place.
Rob Pugh · Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:05:54 +0000
Re: german [sic] Ebay sold
It actually had 3 boards missing, so 5 in total
Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:11:45 +0100
Re: german [sic] Ebay sold
OK, my bad... a bit speedy there, especially with that crappy subject. I meant "chroma sold on EBay". That I use the german Ebay as my home ground is of no importance. The Chroma is in the UK. Now I'm off to bed I think. :)
WTB Chroma voice boards
Philippe [21010227] · Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:11:19 +0100
Dear all,
Would anyone of you have a few spare voice boards that he would think of selling ? If yes you can email me off list and tell me how much you want for them.
Great thanks & Best Regards,
Philippe
Frank Hettlich [21030041+] · Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:24:39 +0100
My guess is that you bought Rob´s Chroma...
Philippe [21010227] · Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:30:28 +0100
No, I wish I had though.
Frank Hettlich [21030041+] · Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:37:34 +0100
I think that time is mainly over cannibalizing Chromas. If a seller is willing to ship he certainly will get good money even for a partly broken one. Removing voice boards might not be the best idea - better leave them as faulty ones.
Good luck with your search!
Philippe [21010227] · Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:39:31 +0100
Thanks
Go to next message in thread, December 2011