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ChromaTalk Archives: June 2008

Patches from Åke Danielson

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:36:08 -0700

This month's update (a week late as I got back Friday from a vacation in New York City) is three banks of fifty patches from Åke Danielson [21010068].

I have started posting new patch contributions in sysex format only, compressed as zip. I may simplify the patch downloads page to eliminate other formats (like Galaxy) and compression formats (.tar.gz, .sit) with the exception of the audio files. Others are getting virtually no downloads any more. Any objections?

Re: Rhodes Chroma Expander for Sale on Ebay

Go to first message in thread, May 2008

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:17:32 -0700

On 31-May-08, at 11:09 AM, David Clarke wrote:

The Australian Expander is back on Ebay (with a lowered price).

Seems the price was lowered to AU$3999 but is now back up to $4999 [item #250254038816]. If it was sold for this amount, it would far surpass other recent sales in the US$3500 range, for instance 21030668 in 2005 [see post Chroma Inflation].

Chroma Voice Boards for sale

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:03:16 -0700

Hi - I'm selling up to four voice boards for the Chroma or Expander on eBay [item #260249790421].

They are the standard type. They work correctly intermittently.

David Gowin [21030611] · Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:55:30 -0400

Too bad they're being sold to US buyers only. Hey USA – there is something outside your borders – it's called the rest of the world!

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:01:57 -0700

4 Chroma voice bds on eBay

Hi - This should answer some questions.

I've split the lot into four items. Here are the urls -

[eBay items 260249790421, 260250163307, 260250163764, 260250164101]

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:22:22 -0700

5 more Chroma components on eBay

Hi all -

I'm selling more Chroma boards on eBay. Here are the urls -

  • EQ board [item 260253420042]
  • Computer board [item 260253421971]
  • Mother board [item 260253423802]
  • Voice board [item 260253424983]
  • Syntech MIDI Interface [item 260253426640]

Fwd: [AH] WTB : Rhodes Chroma

Dave Bradley [16330135] · Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:48:45 -0400

Forwarded from Analogue Heaven..

From: Lars Johansson
Date: Jun 11, 2008 3:34 AM
Subject: [AH] WTB : Rhodes Chroma
To: Analogue Heaven

in Europe please.

Lars Johansson [21030632] · Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:11:02 +0200

Yeah, silly me. I didn't send it to the obvious list !! Haha.

Revived 21030632 last night. Add it to the register [it's been in the registry since 2005]. Not mine though.

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:29:26 +0200

I bet WT couldn't live parting with the Chroma he fixed last night! :D

So yes, more Chromas to Sweden - please...

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:40:44 -0700

Yes, I'll ship to Europe.

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:42:05 -0700

Sweden is OK too.

Chroma 2103-0632 is up and running

Lars Johansson [21030632] · Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:57:49 +0200

after a succesful installation of the SPSU.

1 voice is silent with no output from oscillator to filter. Will need to measure a few things to confirm that it is getting any CV's.

I did the calibration on each voice using the manual method as described in the service manual but have a hard time getting some of the voices to null out the fundemental. I guess this Chroma is in need of a full recap to solve the problem.

First I need to confirm that I'm getting exactly 5.050 V from the SPSU. I didn't have my Fluke at hand when doing it so I only could adjust it to 5.05x.

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:04:20 +0200

WT skrev:

after a succesful installation of the SPSU. --- First I need to confirm that I'm getting exactly 5.050 V from the SPSU. I didn't have my Fluke at hand when doing it so I only could adjust it to 5.05x.

I made that adjustment with a crappy "79 kronors at Kjell-voltage meter" so I don't think it's _that_ critical. :)

Lars Johansson [21030632] · Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:06:22 +0200

Noise routed through the filter works like a charm so definately an oscillator problem.

MIDI editor...

James Coplin [16330036+] · Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:58:08 -0500

OK, I have tons of sysex for my Chroma all safely filed and sorted away in Sounddiver. Apple has dropped the product and the editing functions of Sounddiver leave much to be desired. So, I am contemplating starting to code an editor for the new MIDI interface. Are folks interested in this? I can't say when it would be done but I kind of need to know if there is interest as that will affect how "clean" I make my code etc. Is the new MIDI interface sysex format the same as the KromaKult one? Is there a complete sysex spec available for the interface (I would assume so)? I'm not sure if the interface supports single parameter dumps or if I need to redump entire programs. Anyhow, it will be written in .NET so it will PC only, sorry but I'm not willing to muck about with anything else. So, if there is demand, let me know and let me know if you have some expertise with the sysex spec and I'll get started and keep the group posted.

Dave Bradley [16330135] · Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:16:10 -0500

Heck yeah!

Ken Ypparila [21030229] · Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:23:23 -0700

Look at the manual at the chroma website. You can edit some parameters with controller commands or you can transfer sysex dumps of single programs and dissassemble them to their individual parameters.

David Clarke [21030085++] · Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:37:35 -0400

... Is the new MIDI interface sysex format the same as the KromaKult one?

Yes, it is.

I'm not sure if the interface supports single parameter dumps or if I need to redump entire programs...

The original Syntech/Chroma Cult/KMX interface would allow all programs - or an individual program - to be dumped.

The 'new interface' (the CC+) supports program-by-program dumping too - but it also allows parameter-by-parameter reading/writing for Program 0 via SysEx [see CPU Plus User's Guide: MIDI System Exclusive].

Expander on eBay

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:27:23 -0700

Item #250258976999, "But It Now" price of US$$3,859.00, sold from Tokyo, ends June 20. From the description: "100% working. A Kenton MIDI interface is retrofitted so no need of a Chroma keyboard to control it." I've asked the seller for the serial number.

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:56:16 -0700

This is Expander 16330116, now in the registry.

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:17:55 -0700

This Expander has been re-listed at the same price as item #250261572435, ends June 27.

Chroma on San Francisco Bay Area Craigslist

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:34:06 -0700

Posting ID 716742136. From the description: "very stable and elegant with complete auto-tuning, split-keyboard mode. footswitch, damper pedals, case included. new battery installed." $1500.

Two pictures in this post: one from the brochure and the following picture of the pedals:

WTB working I/O board

Rikard [21030448] · Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:04:43 +0200

Hi,

Would like to buy a working I/O board for my Chroma. I am located in Sweden.

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:15:50 -0700

HI -

I don't know if this helps. I have a spare prototype Chroma I/O board. It worked at one time; it may or may not work now. All of the chips are present on the board. It has a green moisture proof coating like the production boards. It's missing the large, red, two digit readout which plugs in easily. I don't know what it is worth, we can talk.

Help Repairing a Recently Acquired Chroma Please

Leonardo Ascarrunz [no serial number] · Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:41:32 -0600

Hi, I recently bought a dead chroma at a used guitar shop. I have some experience repairing electronics, so i thought i might give this synth a shot. Anyways, so far i have replaced the power supply unit with a switching supply and have gotten the computer to boot and transmit midi messages. All lights and buttons work, however there seems to be a serious issue with either all the voice boards, or the channel motherboard. At first no voices would tune and when i did a "split-31" no sound would come out of any output. After replacing z6,z7,z8,z9 and z4 i am able to get what sounds like high pitched noise by doing a "set split-31". checking the "Data latch" (z3) with an oscilloscope i get a very noisy periodic.

Any ideas on where to proceed from here would be a great help.

Werner Schöenenberger [21010114] · Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:37:31 +0200

Hi Leonardo,

unfortunately I do not have a good advice at this moment. I just remember that when I had to fix my Chroma, there were some issues with the latches on the mother board, which lead to the effect that the voice boards could not tune. I would expect that the issue is some how on the mother board and maybe a half dead component decides to bring your system into troubles. Try to measure the lines on both sides of the data latches (this components would be my focus). I also would recommend to "warm up" the Chroma for 30 minutes or more and figure out if the instrument behaves as in cold status.

Good luck.

Leonardo Ascarrunz [no serial number] · Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:26:34 -0600

Werner,

I think you may be right the latches on the motherboard are not putting anything out. I will replace these and see what happens.

Leonardo Ascarrunz [no serial number] · Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:57:30 -0600

I/O Board Schematic-PCB Discrepancy?

Hi, I am attempting to troubleshoot my newly acquired chroma. I have found that the DAC may be at fault. I am unable to zero the voltage between TP0 and TP1. The best i can do i negative 4.6 Volts!

I have noticed there is a discrepancy between the schematics and the board layout in the output buffer section of the DAC. On my I/O board the variable resistor pin #2 is connected to pin #4 of Z25. The schematic shows something different, where the resistor pin#1 is attached to resistor pin #2. So maybe this board was layed out incorrectly? However I also noticed that the layout printouts that accompany the schematic in the repair manual mirror what is on my I/O board. Is this a mistake? should i cut the trace and route the variable resistor to where the schematic shows it should be?

I have attached pictures to illustrate my point.

Werner Schöenenberger [21010114] · Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:15:38 +0200

Re: I/O Board Schematic-PCB Discrepancy?

Hi Leonardo,

I do not think that there is an issue on the layout, otherwise the Chroma would not have worked in the past - also a lot of other Chromas would suffer by this issue. So if you cannot adjust the DAC it might be an issue of Z25 - I would think this is more likely than a bad DAC (but you never know). I also would measure the voltage supply - maybe even after replacement of the PSU, you might have issues.

Leonardo Ascarrunz [no serial number] · Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:27:20 -0600

Re: I/O Board Schematic-PCB Discrepancy?

I think you are right. The circuit on the layout seems to be the correct one. I just replaced z25 and the problem will not got away. I am thinking maybe the feedback capacitor (c13) is broken?

Werner Schöenenberger [21010114] · Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:00:44 +0200

Re: I/O Board Schematic-PCB Discrepancy?

Well - that might be possible too - I think you have to measure the signals to find out the dead component. But anyway capacitors are always a point to investigate.

Chroma spotting

Dion · Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:14:31 -0700

Ok, I thought I'd just share this with you as I rarely see any chromas in music videos. Here is a live performance of the Missing Persons around 1983 where you can see it @ 2:13 and can also actually hear it being played. Enjoy:

Dion · Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:49:50 -0700

sorry, forgot to mention the Missing Persons' keyboardist Chuck Wild used the Chroma on a few more occasions as you can see here (on some videos the Chroma is really great on display):

Words/ Walking in LA

Bad Streets

Windows

Mental Hopscotch

I Like Boys

Destination Unknown

No Way Out

Tears

Here And Now

Noticeable Ones

US Drag

None Of Your Business

The other synths Chuck and Patrick O'Hearn used on that performance were Oberheim OB-X, SCI Prophet 5, PPG Wave 2.2 (bassline)

CC+ Display Module?

Andrew Dalebrook [21010180] · Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:18:26 +1200

Hi all

I (finally) got around to hooking up the internal MIDI connections in the Chroma. Once again, thanks David/Sandro.

But, I noticed several unused leads, namely from J3 on the cable/J7 on the CC+ board.

The leads named "Disp+" etc. obviously form some sort of display; can any details be shared? Or are there any expected timelines for the release of such hardware?

Thanks

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:44:29 -0700

... I noticed several unused leads, namely from J3 on the cable/J7 on the CC+ board.

The leads named "Disp+" etc. obviously form some sort of display; can any details be shared? Or are there any expected timelines for the release of such hardware?

This is probably related to the still-mysterious C2 module. David and Sandro haven't said anything about this since the CPU Plus was released in June 2006.

David Clarke [21030085++] · Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:43:17 -0400

Andy - these connections are to support an external display, as was discussed in the thread Questions on External Display for CC+ (June 2007).

(All CC+'s are built with the necessary hardware capabilities to allow such a display to be connected.)

There is no specific schedule associated with the project. It is driven both by user desire as well as our available time. As there hasn't been a lot of the former we haven't dedicated a lot of the latter.

BCR-2000 with Chroma

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:42:08 -0700

I've finally got around towards attempting using a BCR-2000 with the Chroma now that CC+ is installed and for some reason I'm having trouble getting them working together. The manual is throwing me off a bit and I was wondering if anyone else is using it with the Chroma and how they would recommend hooking it up Midi-wise in stand-alone fashion. I've got the Chroma in CC+ programming mode, with the Chroma's Midi out going to the BCR-2000 Midi in......would this be hooked up incorrectly? Thanks....the Midi stuff gets a bit confusing to me...

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:54:19 +0200

You need to hook up the OUT of the BCR-2000 to the IN of the Chroma. The info is going _from_ the programmer _to_ the synth.

If you run a sequencer it's

sequencer out -> BCR-2000 in / BCR-2000 out -> Chroma in

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:21:08 -0700

doh !

Thanks I'll try it out !

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:44:50 +0200

No problem, keep us updated with the progress!

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:37:17 -0700

still no luck.... I am getting a Midi signal reading on the BCR-2000 , but the Chroma isn't responding for some reason still...

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:16:30 +0200

But it responds from another midi source? Or?

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:18:44 +0200

One more thing - what reading? Not incoming - right? I didn't get that. THe Behringer should _send_ midi, not receive...

Recommended pad/synth choir banks

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:04:06 -0700

There are so many available Chroma patch banks to sift through, especially the [Chroma Cult] banks (42 ! ) , I was wondering if anyone could possibly point out some excellent banks mostly comprising of pads, synth choirs, and effects amounst all of these ? I love the Cool Blue type of stuff. Thanks!

Chroma item for sale on eBay

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:05:03 -0700

Hi -

I'm selling a brand new set of Chroma front panels in unreleased earth tone scheme. [Item #260256163035]

Good luck!

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:19:48 +0200

But, just to be sure... will it fit any standard Chroma? I remember seeing that the spacing between buttons aren't the same. Or does it come with all the necessary switches below too?

Plug and play so to speak...?

(damn, it's so beautiful!)

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:23:27 -0700

According to Andi Beit, owner of a red or "Halloween" Chroma, the buttons are "perfectly aligned with the membrane switches underneath." [See messages in thread Red Chroma, August 2001.]

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:23:37 -0700

They will fit a standard Chroma AND they come with brand new switches. There is a typo - labeling for Parameters 48 and 49 are reversed.

David Gowin [21030611] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:35:04 -0400

Already got my bid in. I remember the brochure photos and I actually loved the colour scheme!

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:45:24 +0200

According to Andi Beit, owner of a red or "Halloween" Chroma, the buttons are "perfectly aligned with the membrane switches underneath."

Exactly why I asked since the auction only shows the left panel. I love the "halloween look" but won't need a panel I cannot use...

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:02:59 +0200

They will fit a standard Chroma AND they come with brand new switches. There is a typo - labeling for Parameters 48 and 49 are reversed.

Ah, cool - thanks! I bet there will be some fighting over it then. :D

Dirty Stack Switches?

Leonardo Ascarrunz [no serial number] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:22:35 -0600

After replacing most chips on the motherboard and the entire DAC circuitry my newly acquired chroma is working!! The only remaining issue seems to be dirty stack switches. Does anyone know of a quick way of cleaning these without having to dissasemble them? Maybe spraying them with alcohol or ammonia?

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:35:45 -0700

You should use alcohol and a pipe cleaner or, maybe, a Q-tip. They are self cleaning contacts so they will get better with use. Note the shape of the contacts and rub them lengthwise with a wet pipe cleaner.

Chroma with Red and Yellow Buttons-No serial #

Leonardo Ascarrunz [no serial number] · Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:13:37 -0600

If anyone is interested here are the pictures to my newly acquired chroma with a freshly installed PSU. It has the Yellow and Red color scheme. However i cannot find a serial number anywhere. Does this mean someone took out the serial # or was this unit never given one? I'm also wondering why the first and last key of these units are "whiter" than the rest?

Werner Schöenenberger [21010114] · Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:17:19 +0200

Congrats. I would expect the serial number written on wood inside the housing (somewhere near the voice cards). The whiter keys might be another series of the keys (since these are the only ones of this shape)

Richard Willoughby [21030348] · Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:05:00 -0700

I love the color scheme on the "Halloween Chromas"......how many of these are out there?

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:16:48 -0700

We have four in the registry: Andy Beit's 21030620; Mark Smith's 2103-PT-002 and serial-numberless Expander; and now Leonardo's Chroma. Also, Greg Hutchings has a set of panels like the ones Mark currently has up for auction.

Ron Joseph [21030042+] · Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:34:00 +0000

I love the color scheme on the "Halloween Chromas"......how many of these are out there?

The last key is white like the original run of 50. The last key was probably an add on as it's not a standard keyshape. They were all white at some point but the rest of the keys slowly discolored leaving the oddball key at the top still white. It must be made from different materials. Both of my Chromas have the bright white key at top (21030042 & 21030052 )....Ron

GASing bad over Mark's panels, they'd look great w/ my Zebrawood Chroma...sigh.

Chroma on Ebay UK

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:00:03 +0200

Have this been mentioned here before - if so, I'm sorry for wasting bandwidth...

[Item 260254850095]

1200 GBP, no bids and just hours left. No serial mentioned but is in fully working order.

Picture from the auction:

Peter Forrest [21010096] · Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:18:02 +0100

Ben sold a very similar Chroma in the VEMIA auction last April, and it was very satisfactory indeed. I went to meet his driver to collect in person, and then delivered in person as well [see thread Re: Registry Approaches 500 Instruments] - I've had some bad experiences with carriers and Chromas.

I'm sure this will be in equally good working order.