Skip Navigation.
Section 0

ChromaTalk Archives: November 2011

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.

eBayManuals

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.

eBay290630343683

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.

eBay170727305250

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:

eBay170729195150-170729195523

eBay180755740728-180755740728

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:

eBay120816856644a

eBay120816856644b

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