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ChromaTalk Archives: April 2015

Chroma Refrigerator Magnet on eBay

Chris Ryan [21030691]

A fridge magnet! eBay item #161658566888, USD$6.95, two available. Only 29 days left to buy. How I wish my fridge door wasn’t wooden. Sigh.

eBay161658566888

Paul DeRocco [21030230]

Well, you could put it on your stove.

Or do you have a wood stove?

Chris Ryan [21030691]

Great idea! I’m adding it to my birthday gift registry.

David Hobson [21030506]

Thanks, Chris! Got it.

Rob Belcher [21030095+]

$45 shipping to the uk, wonder if the fridge comes with it!

Paul Tillotson [21030218]

Shouldn't we all be speculating on what modifications the mini toggle switches to the right of the keyboard are for? Is that a memory upgrade?

Chris Smalt [21010280+]

$45 shipping to the uk, wonder if the fridge comes with it!

International shipping about $6 - read the text about two screens down

Doug Wellington [21030300]

Apparently, he'll refund you the difference between what ebay charges and what it actually costs to ship. On the other hand, you could do what I did; buy your own Xyron Creative Station and a Magnet cartridge and make your own magnets... :D

David Gowin [21030611]

$31.25 Shipping to Canada.

This must be the type of Seller who has a low price but makes all the profit in shipping.

Too bad, kinda nice work there!

ChromaTalk and Yahoo!

Chris Ryan [21030691]

There have been some ongoing issues with the ChromaTalk list for users of Yahoo! email. I’m trying a setting in the Mailman software to try and circumvent this (if you’re curious, see Mailman and DMARC). Hopefully this won’t affect non-Yahoo! subscribers. We should now see list messages appearing to be sent from the list itself, rather than the original sender.

I’ve re-enabled the subscriptions of a number of people whose subscriptions were automatically suspended. If you want to be certain you’ll receive ChromaTalk emails in future, you may want to try subscribing with a non-Yahoo! email address.

Frank McGing [21010198]

I haven't been able to post to the list for a long time, so hopefully this fixes it.

If this message appears, then it's all working again!

David Hobson [21030506]

I see you, Frank McGing!

John Hagerty [21030616]

Got it (success) ...TNX, JH

Chroma exact measurements/dimensions (front and back) for dust cover...

Lawrence Eldridge [21010100]

Hi guys,

I've been ordering a few dust covers for synths in the studio and have been given a quote and asked if I'd like the a slanted height for some of them based on the design. The Chroma has a slight slant towards the front but unfortunately I don't have my unit to hand at the moment! Would someone be so kind as to measure the dimensions and post them on here?

Off the top of my head I can imagine 3 sets of measurements, the front, middle, and back.

David Clarke [21030085++]

... The Chroma has a slight slant towards the front but unfortunately I don't have my unit to hand at the moment! Would someone be so kind as to measure the dimensions and post them on here?

Close measurements for an Expander are here: Does someone have the dimensions of the expander case?.

Using that same drawing for a Chroma we have:

  • A = 11 1/2"
  • B = 6 1/16" (same as the equiv. measurement on the Chroma)
  • C = 23 3/4"
  • D = 2 7/8"
  • E = 12 11/16"

The 'width' of both the Chroma and the Expander are the same, at 41 9/16".

Lawrence Eldridge [21010100]

Ahh wonderful, thank you so much David - fingers crossed they get it all sewn up nicely.

David Hobson [21030506]

Hope this helps too... I made it, saw the reply so...

Chroma Measurements

David Hobson [21030506]

By the way, Lawrence; If you're making dust covers, how much would you charge for 2 if you could make extra?

Thanks.

Lawrence Eldridge [21010100]

Hi David,

Thank you so much for that diagram - that really helps a lot and I'll most likely send it to the company as they can definately get an idea - especially with the angles on there.

Ahh unfortunately I'm not making covers myself, but using a company called Digital Deck Covers. They have a few models already on their list (see Pro Audio Equipment) and initially got one for the Roland JX-3P and Mackie 32:8 (dust was causing a bit of a problem over time). Was really pleased with the material so decided to get the rest of the equipment covered when it's not in use... really handy as my job only allows me to use the studio on weekends, so best to protect them.

If you're interested definately check them out, they have a choice of material - I opted for Black Cotton/Canvas, which is tough bull denim, and feels good quality. They do all sorts, but just wanted to keep things minimal. On their website they have Request Estimate where you can define your own dimensions... which is what I'm hoping to do here. They've quoted me $47.99 for the custom Chroma cover.

Hope this helps!
Lawrence Eldridge

Ps: By the way, just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the videos you made on the unit [see Chroma videos, January]. I haven't managed to use the Chroma in a few years due to it being kept in storage/repair, but watching the series has been really inspring and helpful. Fingers crossed I get the Chroma back on the 30th of April so eager to using it.

David Hobson [21030506]

Thank you, Lawrence!

Good information there. I will check out that company for some dust covers.

And my diagram was childlike, but I'm glad it helped. :)

Thank you so much for the feedback on my Chroma videos! It encourages me to make more now that I have two BCR-2000's controlling one of my Chromas. I would really like to dig a bit deeper into the different patch settings.

Thanks for everything,
~David Hobson,

Chroma 21030544 For Sale

Chris Ryan [21030691]

I’ve heard from the current owner of 21030544, which is in the registry only as the result of the serial number bonanza from the warranty registration information received a few years back (see Registry Approaches 500 Instruments, March 2008). The Chroma was purchased as part of an estate sale by an antique business in Massachusetts; the previous owner died about a year ago. The business doesn't normally deal in instruments, so I’ve agreed to handle questions and such. Here are the details I have:

  • The batteries were corroded so he took them out. The battery holder was “all green. […] I then tried to put in the new batteries into the holder the best I could it is very fragile and put some tape around them to hold together.”
  • The battery corrosion is the only damage he has seen inside the instrument.
  • When powered on the lights go on for a “split second” and then go off; there’s then a humming noise, which I assume is probably just the power supply.
  • Cosmetically the instrument appears to be in very good shape; there’s some damage on the left side panel (see photos below).
  • The foam in the original case is “gone” but the Chroma was stored in a heavy canvas case (with a broken zipper), also included, so there’s no “foam rot” on the wood.
  • Comes with the dual footswitch, cassette interface cord, and dummy plug.
  • An original Programming Manual is included.
  • “[The previous owner’s] family said they can remember his band using this board about 4 years ago and then the band broke up."

I have a number of pictures, including all the boards. I’ll send the full package of photos directly to anyone interested, but here are a few highlights—first, the outside view:

21030544thumb

Damage on the left side:

21030544side

Power supply &c.:

21030544inside

More insides:

21030544inside2

Area around the batteries:

21030544batteries

Most of the voice boards look good. One seems to have a bit of corrosion on some of the pins on the second chip from the right:

21030544voiceboard

Overall, although I’m no expert on Chroma repair, it looks like an instrument that has been well-maintained and I suspect it won’t take much to get it working again.

Post questions here and/or send them directly to me, and I’ll get them answered. If you’re seriously interested in making an offer on this instrument, let me know via private email and I’ll send contact info.

Chris Ryan [21030691]

On 2015-04-26, at 3:28 PM, Chris Ryan wrote:

Post questions here and/or send them directly to me, and I’ll get them answered. If you’re seriously interested in making an offer on this instrument, let me know via private email and I’ll send contact info.

To be clear, there is no set asking price.

Luca Sasdelli [21010226]

Hi Chris and all,

I was looking at the posted images and I've noticed the "little corrosion" one, around Z27. I've repaired several DVBs and it seems that such as a corrosion is quite frequent around those data latches only. Can anyone confirm this? And what could be the reason: chip manufacturing or physical position on the boards?

Cheers
Luca

Alpha display (again...)

Luca Sasdelli [21010226]

Hello all,

I'm wondering if a 2x40 characters serial HD44780-compatible display is suitable with CC+ / UART / SparkFun controller. Any experiences/suggestions?

The reason is to try to include it somewhere in-dash (e.g. below the slider area on the left).

Thanks
Luca

David Clarke [21030085++]

Re: 2x40 characters HD44780

... I'm wondering if a 2x40 characters serial HD44780-compatible display is suitable with CC+ / UART / SparkFun controller. Any experiences/suggestions?

Luca - the data being displayed is configured for a 4x20 display. While it might be possible to have the data appear on a 2x40 display, the context of the data won't necessarily be correct.

For instance, if you look at the display here: [The Chroma CPU Plus (CC+): Alphanumeric Display: multi modulation sources] you'll see that the 3rd line of the display lists the 3 mod sources, with the 4th line of the display showing the 3 mod source amounts associated with those sources (e.g., Mod 1 Select = Env2B, Mod 1 Depth = 3). If this data ended up on one line versus two, then it woudln't be as clear what data corresponded to what else.

Luca Sasdelli [21010226]

Re: 2x40 characters HD44780

Ok, this is clear, thanks!

Just in case that some other users will ask for such as a feature, I guess it would be possible to have two different layouts to choose from.

E.g. current 4x20 layout:

Row0
Row1
Row2
Row3

Alternate 2x40 layout:

Row0        Row2
Row1        Row3

Cheers
Luca

Roel D. [21010092]

Re: 2x40 characters HD44780

Hi all,

If I'm not mistaken, the HD44780 is using a 80 character memory no matter what the layout of the display is. Which means: it will be compatible but the order of the lines will be:

Row 1 Row 2 Row 3 Row 4

In between Row 1 and 2 will be no space; the last character for Row 1 will be glued to the first character of Row 2. Same for Rows 3 and 4.

Again; I have arduino code that mimics the Sparkfun controller (or the other one, don't remember). This can be changed to add a space (and loose a character at the end of the row)... If someone wants this code, just ask!

Best,
Roel

min struct

Re: 2x40 characters HD44780

Hello Roel,

my dream would be to be able to use this screen : MCOT42005AX [PDF] as it is oled, there is no angle view (so mounting tilt angle is not critical), and as it's only 2mm thick, it could be taped on the Chroma front panel (no window hole). Is there any chance to interface this 20x4 character display with CC+'s UART via Arduino ? best regards, Olivier

bare display, green, yellow or white : OLED, 4X20, TAB, GREEN, MULTI I/F Part # MIDAS MCOT42005AV-EGM

with pcb (i hope display is easily detachable from PCB, for multiple form factor) IIC / I2C 2004 20x4 OLED Module Display - For Arduino / PIC / AVR / ARM

OLED = no angle view :

FMC6X57GLDDSSCB

FXNP71SGLDDSSC8

Jeffrey D. McEachin [21030073+]

Re: 2x40 characters HD44780

An OLED display would be fantastic. I have a red-on-black LCD, but sadly, red-on-dark-red is a more apt description for it. :P I'd much prefer the better looking OLED.

Apparently the Midas isn't quite HD44780 compatible, but someone has adapted an Arduino library to work with it : http://goo.gl/XblGfU . Perhaps someone could merge that with Roel's code to make it CC+ compatible?

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