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Magazine Advertisements

From what I recall there was not a massive ad campaign for the Chroma, but the instrument was advertised regularly in 1982 and 1983, at least in Keyboard Magazine.

Herbie Hancock and Josef Zawinul Endorsements

From Keyboard, July and October 1983 respectively.

Herbie Hancock and Josef Zawinul endorsements for the Chroma

Herbie Hancock

"When I hear a sound in my head, I'll touch the keys in a way that I think will get that sound. What comes out of the Chroma is exactly what I expect to hear. It's great because most synthesizers that have gotten into the area of touch sensitivity won't do that. With the Chroma, I have full control over the sound because it's geared to how my fingers work. And if my fingers have to compensate for a synthesizer, it's just not good enough."

"The other thing I really love about the Chroma is that or the first time here's an analog polyphonic synthesizer that allows you to choose the signal path. And because you can change the signal path, you can do things with it that aren't available on any other synthesizer. It's almost like having a different synthesizer for each different path."

Herbie Hancock was also featured along with his Chroma on the February 1983 cover of Keyboard: see Re: Chroma Spotting (Herbie Hancock), ChromaTalk March 2006.

Josef Zawinul

"The Chroma. A tremendous instrument overall. Totally user-programmable. Split keyboard at any point of the manual. Incredible percussion features, like arpeggio with programmable speed. And my favorite--the inverted keyboard (mirror system). There's no other synthesizer today with this function."

"And after 74 concerts and travel through 3 continents, it's been absolutely problem-free."

Imagination Unleashed

From Keyboard, December 1982.

Chroma ad from December 1982 Keyboard magazine: Imagination Unleashed

Chroma. Programming depth far beyond anything you've ever experienced on a performance instrument. Control that puts every subtle dynamic expression right at your fingertips. Responsiveness that brings you back into the warm world of human-controlled music.

Chroma is a 16-channel, completely programmable polyphonic synthesizer with computer interface and dynamic keyboard. But the similarity to other synthesizers ends here. Because Chroma puts back the dimension of feel that was lost when synthesized music was born.

Lift Chroma from its custom-designed ATA Anvil case (included). Touch the keyboard. You'll find 14" wood piano keys. Center mounted for precise balance. And fully programmable for attack times, filters, waveshapes, pitch and just about anything else. All of which means Chroma can actually respond to your physical expressions. Giving you a depth of tonality and musical personality never before available on a synthesizer.

On Chroma, you start with 50 user programmable pre-sets--voice select switches that double as program controls when you switch into the programming mode. Another 1000 voice programs are included on cassette. And because Chroma is, in fact, a computer, software generates operating, program and tone controls. Giving you unprecedented flexibility. And allowing you to link Chroma to a microcomputer* or to our new Expander Module (basically, a keyboardless Chroma) to give you 32 channels of unadulterated sonic power.

Housekeeping is easy, too. Turn Chroma on and it automatically runs through its diagnostic routines. In a few seconds you're tuned up, your components are checked and you're ready for work.

So unleash your imagination today. See Chroma at select Rhodes dealers. Or for more information write us at 1300 E. Valencia Drive, Fullerton, CA 92631.

*Software currently available for interface to Apple II.

Finally, someone is prepared to do for the synthesizer ...

Keyboard, August 1982.

Chroma ad from August 1982 Keyboard magazine: Finally, someone is prepared to do for the synthesizer what Rhodes did for the piano

At Rhodes we've always felt there's a big difference between a keyboard that responds like a machine and one that plays like a musical instrument.

At last there's a synthesizer that comes up to our standards.

Chroma. The first in a new family of products that takes the best of two worlds and synthesizes them into the most advanced musical instruments of its kind. A 16-channel programmable polyphonic synthesizer that combines all you can ask for in the sonic spectrum with an acoustic-style keyboard response.

So, instead of pushing buttons that look like keys, you finally feel what you're playing.

Not only that, but Chroma's computer-compatible keyboard is digitally based. Making it the first performance synthesizer with programmable electronic architecture.

The compatibility factor we're most proud of though, is the one all Rhodes instruments have with people. Because the way we look at music, all the advanced electronics in the world don't mean a thing unless you've got that human touch that makes music what it is.

Feeling.