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ChromaTalk Archives: October 2013

Fwd: New items that match: rhodes chroma -polaris

Michael McInnis [21030027] · Thu, 03 Oct 2013 07:03:23 -0400

This eBay ad is quite clearly a scam. I have reported it.

Regards,

MM

Michael McInnis

Appropriate double-sided tape for fixing pressure sensor retrofit?

Matt V [21030757] · Mon, 7 Oct 2013 18:17:27 -0500

The tape is no longer holding the pressure strip to the frame and I need to re-adhere it it. Chris [21030194+] (the poly sensor kit maker) mentioned having some double sided tape specific to this purpose, but I've had trouble getting a hold of him.

Does anyone have a recommendation for appropriate tape? The local hardware store has something that sounds like it will do the job (it's double sided foam tape, about 1/8" thick), but I wanted to check what others had possibly used.

thanks,

Matt

Paul DeRocco [21030230] · Mon, 7 Oct 2013 21:11:49 -0400

I'd feel queasy about using foam tape, because the board would flex under pressure. I haven't dealt with it yet, but I'd be inclined to experiment with non-tape adhesives, like silicone sealer, or maybe even rubber cement.

Brian McCully [21030361] · Mon, 7 Oct 2013 22:36:11 -0700

Matt,

I've dealt with this issue a number of times. Usually the strip detaches from one end, but the last one I had also sagged/detached in the middle after Chris re-attached it.

I recommend sending the crossbar and assembly to Chris and have him re-attach it with whatever he's found as the best method. That way there's no chance of misinterpretation of what's the best materials. There's a 3 ft long triangular USMail shipping box that can hold the whole crossbar/PS assembly, wrapped in bubble wrap. I think it's a Next Day type box. Chris can advise you.

Make sure that he also screws (fastens) the MUX board in place on the crossbar, or there quite possibly will be detachment problems in the center as well. There are a couple of holes in the MUX to use to secure it, so that if you put some (~1/8") foam (or whatever fits that isn't conductive) backing between the MUX and crossbar, and then use some thin long screws - it should hold up.

regards, - Brian

Matt V [21030757] · Tue, 8 Oct 2013 10:03:16 -0500

Hi Brian,

That's very helpful--I agree it would be preferably to just send the whole installation to Chris, but he said that there was some tape he uses that he could just send me to do it myself so I was hoping I could just find out what that was. I hadn't thought of screwing in the MUX board.

Re: Paul D - Although it makes sense, Chris advised against using any sort of glue as it might seep through the PCB somehow and damage the circuit.

Matt

Chris Borman [21030194+] · Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:24:41 -0400

Matt, double sided foam tape on its way. I've been busy with moving. I don't recommend glue or screws

Regards,
Chris

Matt V [21030757] · Tue, 8 Oct 2013 17:58:33 -0500

Hi Chris,

That's great, thanks. Glad to hear the heads-up about the screws as well.

Matt

Brian McCully [21030361] · Tue, 8 Oct 2013 16:09:45 -0700

Screws to support the MUX, of course not through the strip...

Chris Borman [21030194+] · Tue, 8 Oct 2013 19:25:14 -0400

yep.

editor

John Leimseider [21030434++] · Thu, 10 Oct 2013 02:17:02 +0000

I've been trying to use the editor unsuccessfully... I have an iPad 2 with the iRig MIDI. It sends MIDI when I use Mix2

John Leimseider [21030434++] · Thu, 10 Oct 2013 02:20:32 +0000

It doesn't send any MIDI with the Chroma template, although the template appears to be working. The MIDI out light does nothing. Does anyone have an idea of what is wrong? Pilot error? Certain other Layouts don't work, but several do... I'm confused. Thanks! JL

Dryden Chambers · Wed, 9 Oct 2013 22:48:52 -0400

You installed Touch Osc on the iPad I presume JL ?

I dont dare ask the best synth tech in the world if his midi cables are connected correctly : )

I have the Alesis iO & iPad 2 (iOS 6) and it works with that.

Here are some notes I had...

That was it! It's alive!

I had tried Cust mode at point and it didn't seem to do anything, but perhaps I had another parameter mis-set at the time. Matrix's instructions for setup were very informative and got me most of the way there, but for the records/archives/future FAQ, here are the things that tripped me up when setting it up:

  • OSCulator was not sending midi out of my interface, even though I had it selected to do so. I had to go into Audio Midi setup on my Mac, enable IAC, and then select it as an input source within OSCulator. It then properly passed the information out of my interface, an old first gen USB MOTU Midi Express XT. Although this is listed in the OSCulator manual, I didn't see it in any of the general setup instructions on Matrix's site so if you have this problem turning IAC on may fix it.
  • The Chroma must be set to Extended Program mode... set split 36, parameter 6 set to on
  • The Chroma must be set to Custom MCM mode... set split 18 set to Cust

That was pretty much it, the rest was just basic missteps with me learning how to get the iPad/TouchOsc/Osculator stuff working properly.

Now that I have it working, It should be pretty solid unless I go start changing parameters. Thanks everyone, and especially to Matrix [21030220] for making this available for free!

John Leimseider [21030434++] · Thu, 10 Oct 2013 02:41:40 +0000

I'm trying to use the other editor, without a computer... I don't understand why jog-0n, mix2 iPad and viz pad work and live control, logic pad, and the Chroma template don't send anything.

Dryden Chambers · Wed, 9 Oct 2013 23:04:40 -0400

I dont use a computer with mine, but I believe you will need a computer for the install if I remember right, someone correct me if I am wrong.

This is Leon's free editor correct ?, I think Matrix's version requires a computer inline, Leon;s does not in the end.

John Leimseider [21030434++] · Thu, 10 Oct 2013 02:56:48 +0000

I did use my PC to load the template. The little green indicator on the top right does flash when I change parameters, but the iRig doesn't send. I asked IK multimedia and they of course said it's the software.

Michael McInnis [21030027] · Thu, 10 Oct 2013 07:17:49 -0400

In the TouchOsc settings, does the iRig show up on the CoreMIDI settings page as an I/O device? Usually the MIDI device would show there in addition to the Network session listing.

Also, the template seems to only work on MIDI channel 1, so make sure the Chroma is set to channel 1.

It also would be worth rebooting the iPad2, as this can often fix many issues.

If the iRig is still not shown in the CoreMIDI device list, this is what I suspect:

The iRig device was on the market before iOS supported CoreMIDI devices. In these dark days, an app would have to provide driver support specifically for each MIDI device. I am not sure if the iRig is actually CoreMIDI and it might not be, in which case only those apps written to support it specifically will work.

Regards,

MM

Michael McInnis

Michael McInnis [21030027] · Thu, 10 Oct 2013 10:13:56 -0400

So, the iRig MIDI is supposed to be çoreMIDI compliant...not sure what to suggest.

I have used both the Alesis & Griffin MIDI interfaces successfully.

John Leimseider [21030434++] · Thu, 10 Oct 2013 14:21:20 +0000

Thanks for the help anyway... I guess the next thing to do is to try a different interface.

Hello, update and question.

David Hobson [21030506] · Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:46:15 -0400

Hello happy Chroma users!

I registered my Chroma (#21030506)in 2000, and have since updated and refurbished it. I installed the PSU by Luca, the CC+ and have had voice card 5's: Z13,Z11,Z12,Z19,Z20&CD4051 ICs replaced and sockets installed...On top of that I had new Curly Maple installed. All of the work was done by Sam Masuko at Three Wave Music.

He did a great job. Very cool store! I took like 86 photos...I will upload many of those photos to Flickr and make them easy to search for by using the tag "Three Wave Music", lots of cool stuff...Sam likes the idea. Oh, and I noticed my LED was not displaying a line, so he opened it up when I came to pay, and fixed it in like 5 minutes...free.

Great guy.

Now I am using the Behringer BCR2000 to interface with it, and am quite happy to have real knobs.

This one I am going to keep (Lord willing), but I have a second Chroma that I am going to have refurbished as well, by Sam, and sell...I think.

So everything is happy right now, and my wife likes it as well...Incentive!

Now, I have a question: My "faceplate?" the metal with "Chroma" logo on it...above the keys and below the membrane. That faceplate has the paint wearing off in certain spots along the edge where the membrane meets it. What is the very best thing I could do to touch up the paint? I am looking for a solution I could do by hand with a brush...but I am sure one or two of you have done this, so what paint would you recommend? And should I sand anything? Clean with alcohol? I just need advice.

Anyway,
Great machine, great group.

Thanks for reading,
David Hobson.

Michael McInnis [21030027] · Tue, 15 Oct 2013 16:10:10 -0400

Three Wave Music = synth heaven

If you are ever in the greater NYC area it is worth the trip to NJ to check out.

Regards,

MM

Michael McInnis

Chroma 21030244: 600th Chroma in Registry

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 15 Oct 2013 19:57:32 -0700

William Santana writes to say that he recently acquired Chroma 21030244 from its original owner. We now have six hundred Chromas and Expanders in the registry. My guess would be that this represents a significant majority of the instruments still in use.

See also: Registry Approaches 500 Instruments, March-April 2008; Registry Reaches 500 Instruments, May 2008; and How many Chromas were manufactured? in the FAQ.

Paint for touch up? Questions...

David Hobson [21030506] · Thu, 17 Oct 2013 11:25:51 -0400

Hello,

My "faceplate?" the metal with "Chroma" logo on it...above the keys and below the membrane.. That faceplate has the paint wearing off in certain spots along the edge where the membrane meets it. What is the very best thing I could do to touch up the paint? I am looking for a solution I could do by hand with a brush...but I am sure one or two of you have done this, so what paint would you recommend? And should I sand anything? Clean with alcohol? I just need advice.

Thank you in advance.

Selling

Jerry Leonard [21030100++] · Sat, 19 Oct 2013 16:29:31 -0700

Hello everyone. I've been following the list for years in the hopes that someday I would find the time and expertise to refurbish the Chromas I've acquired throughout the years. I have 3 Chromas and an Expander [unknown serial number] and lots of parts.

The reality is I don't have the electronic knowledge to troubleshoot and fix Chromas, so I've decided to get rid of my 3 Chromas but keep the Expander.

The 3 Chromas are in different states of repair.

Chroma 1 [21030100]. Completely refurbished, perfect cosmetic condition, new power supply. It has sat idle for about three years. When I powered it up, 4 voice cards erred, 2-3-4-6. I opened it up and "reset" the cards in the prongs and now it powers up, 3 voice cards err, 1-2-6. It produces sound just fine. I think this is a minor problem, since all cards were working three years ago before it took its nap.

I'm selling this unit for $2500. See the pictures. I want to say at this point - as we all know - these are finicky keyboards and I will not make any guarantees. I can provide a video to the buyer that proves the present state of this particular keyboard.

I will send two other emails to the list describing Chromas 2 and 3. Thank you.

Jerry Leonard [21030100++] · Sat, 19 Oct 2013 16:59:32 -0700

Chroma #2

This Chroma [21030402] is in the case and has been "foamed". It will need to be cleaned up. It has all of the electronic parts and the dual foot pedal. It has the old power supply. I'm sure when you hook everything together it will not boot up without some err codes ( but then, maybe it might). I've never tried it. Ribbon cables need to be connected, and as previously mentioned, it needs major cleaning.

As is, shipped in the foam it came with. $1500. Thank you.

Jerry Leonard [21030100++] · Sat, 19 Oct 2013 17:07:08 -0700

Chroma #3

This Chroma [21030399] has no voice cards, I/O board, or computer board. It has the EQ board and other boards of which I don't know what you call them. The picture shows one key missing but I found it and all keys are there.

Basically what you're getting here is the shell with the keys, power supply and EQ board. If this doesn't sell, I'm going to strip the parts and discard the shell. Hate to do it, but it is too big and has got to go.

$500.

Thank you.

James Coplin [16330036] · Sat, 19 Oct 2013 19:28:59 -0500

Re: Chroma #3

I would be interested in the front panel as mine is messed up. Let me know.

Michael McInnis [21030027] · Sat, 19 Oct 2013 20:41:39 -0400

Where are the synths located?

Paul DeRocco [21030230] · Sat, 19 Oct 2013 22:24:55 -0400

Re: Chroma #3

I'd be interested in this whole thing, as it would be a good base for another Digital Chroma [See NAMM anyone?, January 2013]. The only electronics I care about are the keyswitch boards, the membrane panels and the levers. Where is it?

David Clarke [21030085++] · Sun, 20 Oct 2013 09:28:46 -0300

... Chroma 1. ...new power supply...

Jerry - looking at the photo of the power supply in Chroma #1, this appears to be setup discussed in Don Tillman's Nuclear Powered Chroma.

If so - I'd guess that the small board circuled in purple ("A") is the 5V regulator and reset circuit. If that's the case, can you advise what the board circled in yellow ("B") is for?

Jerry Leonard [21030100++] · Sun, 20 Oct 2013 07:29:30 -0700

David. The best way to explain it is to go to the ChromaTalk Archives December 5, 2001. It's a power - fail circuit. The schematic and explanation is there [direct link to Jerry's December 2001 post with diagram]. That's what the board is. BTW, thanks for sharing all of your knowledge through all these years. Very much appreciated.

John Simmons [21030454] · Sat, 19 Oct 2013 16:11:14 +0100

Hi jerry, i'm not sure if you got my message but i would like to buy one of your chroma's. Preferably chroma 1 but chroma 2 or 3 as projects if you have already sold? ive had a chroma for a few years now but would like to get another!

All the best
John

Randel Osborne [21030467] · Mon, 21 Oct 2013 08:55:21 -0400

Jerry-

We all are interested in your location, so we can drive to it with a thick stack of cash and/or beer/wine!

Thanks.

-Randel

Luca Sasdelli [21010226] · Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:09:01 +0200

A "thick stack of beer" sounds awesome.

Cheers
Luca

Dryden Chambers · Tue, 22 Oct 2013 09:47:25 -0400

That sounds like Guinness to me : )

Frank McGing [21010198] · Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:37:39 +0100

Cool! Slice of beer, anyone?

Frank

EES MIDI retrofit for sale

Tobias Menguser [21010303] · Mon, 21 Oct 2013 22:22:14 +0200

Hi all,

Some months ago I bought my Chroma, and with the unit I received a EES MIDI retrofit interface, see photo.

The seller told me that it's really rare, handles Note On/Off & Pitchbend, but can't handle SysEx data.

Anybody interested?

Best,
Tobias

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 22 Oct 2013 08:25:30 -0700

See EES MIDI Retrofit at the site.

Zawinul: Chroma and Polaris spotting

Dryden Chambers · Tue, 22 Oct 2013 22:12:16 -0400

Joe Zawinul 1985

Brian McCully [21030361] · Tue, 22 Oct 2013 20:05:01 -0700

I witnessed an evening of this solo tour at the 'Living Room' in Rhode Island (USA). First time I ever saw the Expander. Thanks for the reminder - it was a great show. Man ->machine ->Zawinul ! The vocoder and drum machine(s) were hopping.

All of any of the Weather Report shows I saw were typically top notch. The 'Weather Update' show in Boston was maybe a little bit 'loose' although Steve Khan was great as always. (If you can find it - look for Steve Khan's LP of Zawinul compositions)

Last time in Seattle 10 +/- years ago, Zawinul had all Korg gear. And Victor Bailey!

Dryden Chambers · Wed, 23 Oct 2013 11:16:23 -0400

I asked Joe what his favorite synths of all time were and without hesitation he said The Rhodes Chroma, The Prophet T8, and Korg Prophecy. When I asked him about his OB 4 and 8 voice he giggled. : > p

RIP

John Leimseider [21030434++] · Wed, 23 Oct 2013 21:15:06 +0000

I repaired two Chroma Expanders and a T8 for him...

Haunted Chroma

Randel Osborne [21030467] · Thu, 31 Oct 2013 08:51:42 -0400

'Tis the season for haunted analog synths - or at least orange ones:

I made the stand earlier this year. It's welded 1" square tubular steel from Lowe's, and powder coated. I have a red one for the Voyager.

-Randel

Michael McInnis [21030027] · Thu, 31 Oct 2013 08:57:11 -0400

That is certainly a Halloween treat!

Regards,

MM

Michael McInnis

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