Opcode Chroma Patch Librarian Manual
This is the documentation for the Chroma librarian from Opcode. The functionality is very similar to that later seen in the Chroma module for Galaxy. This software ran as a standalone application, and on much earlier system software.
Opcode Patch Librarian Version 4: Supplement for Fender Chroma with the Syntech MIDI Interface
November 17, 1987
Copyright ©1987 by Opcode Systems
Published by Opcode Systems [address removed]. All rights Reserved. Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
About the Supplement
This document tells you everything you need to know about the Opcode Patch Librarian program which pertains specifically to the Fender Chroma synthesizer equipped with the Syntech MIDI Interface. The information is presented in the same order as it is in the tutorial part of the main Patch Librarian manual. There is no specific section for the Load/Send menu.
File Types
When you start up the Chroma Librarian, after indicating your MIDI port setup, an empty bank window will open unless you have two or more Patch Librarians combined, in which case a window like this window will appear:
File Type Window
At this point, select Fender Chroma if you do see this window.
Each Chroma bank file contains 50 patches, corresponding to the 50 programs in the internal memory of the Chroma. A Chroma library file can contain any number of patches. These patches may be moved within the bank window, and from one window to another.
Setting up the Macintosh and the Chroma
There are only a few things to check before transferring sounds between your Macintosh and the Chroma.
MIDI Channel
The Chroma has a "Basic MIDI Channel". Each window you open in Patch Librarian also has MIDI Channel. Your responsibility is to make sure these match. Since the Chroma's MIDI channel setting is important to its operation in your overall system, it is probably best not to change it: just be aware of what it is. Whenever you open a window in Patch Librarian, check its MIDI channel to make sure it is set to the same thing as the Chroma. To do this, make sure the desired window is the "active window" (there should be horizontal lines in the title bar), and then pick the desired channel out of the MIDI Menu. (It is usually more convenient to Command-number to select the MIDI Channel if it is channel 10 or less).
Interestingly enough, the MIDI channel is not used for system exclusive communication with a Chroma, so most o the commands will work if the MIDI channels are set wrong. There are two things that won't work, however: Send On Select and the Record/Play menu items use standard MIDI Channel Messages, and so the channel must be set correctly.
Be Unprotected
You will not be able to send patches to your Chroma if the Memory Lock switch on the back is on — be sure it is off.
Chroma Files
After you have set up your synthesizer, and OK'd the "be sure to do this" dialog window, a bank window (shown above) will open on the screen. It has 50 patches, which correspond to the 50 programs in the Chroma's internal memory. The patches are numbered the same way on the screen as they are on the synthesizer (1 thru 50).
Chroma Bank
The new bank window is initially empty. It is probably a good idea to use emptiness as your initial patch, since programs in the Chroma may be truly "empty". However, if you would prefer, you may select or create a good-sounding "initial patch", and load it into a window as described below, giving it a name. Then you can use the Set Empty Patch command in the Edit menu to make it the initial patch.
Transferring Data To and From Your Chroma
Chroma Load/Send Menu
Get Single Patch from Chroma Command-G
Patch Librarian lets you automatically load not just one, but several consecutive individual patches from the Chroma with this command. That is, they are generally loaded into consecutive locations in the bank window, but they may come from any locations in the Chroma. After you choose Get Single Patch from Chroma, the following window appears:
Get Patch Dialog Box
It tells you which program is selected, and the patch name currently stored there. To load a Chroma program into that location, first set the Chroma to the patch you want to load. Then hit SET SPLIT 20 to send the patch. After you send it, the next program (1 is next after 50) is selected so you can send another program into it. You can change which program is selected without sending patches by using the Next and Prev buttons.
Send Patch to Chroma Command-S
Whenever you choose Send Patch to Chroma from the Load/Send menu, or when you select a patch with Send On Select checked, the patch will be sent into the edit buffer of your Chroma. (You cannot choose Send Patch to Chroma if you are in a library, but you can use Send On Select.)
Get Bank from Chroma
In order to transfer the contents of your synthesizer's internal memory into the bank window, select Get Bank from Chroma from the Load/Send menu on the Macintosh. If something goes wrong (if not both cables were connected, for instance), you can click the mouse to cancel the command. The patch names will not change, of course, and you should listen to the sounds and name them immediately!
Send Bank to Chroma
To send the currently active bank to the synthesizer, simply choose Send Bank To Chroma. Memory protect must be off on the Chroma for this command to work. The Load/Send menu title will flash black, and then go back to normal after a few seconds. You will not hear a difference on the Chroma because the edit buffer will not have been changed until you select a program. 