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musical instrument details
1982 RHODES CHROMA ANALOG SYNTHESIZER ARP 8/16 VOICE VINTAGE SYNTH RARE KEYBOARD
Estimated price for orientation: 2 500 $
Category: Synthesizers
Class:
Description Condition: For parts or not working: An item that does not function as intended and is not fully operational. This includes items that are defective in ways that render them difficult to use, items that require service or repair, or items missing essential components. See the seller’s listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition
For sale is this vintage original Rhodes Chroma analog synthesizer. (Relisted due to non-paying high bidder, but for less than the previous sale!) This example, serial number 176, is being sold in as-is non-working condition for parts. It is entirely intact, appears as if someone started to service the power supply, and then gave up several minutes later. The cabinet isn't particularly nice, looks faded/washed? Serious oxidation to inputs/outputs and transformer. The voice boards (pictured) look intact and are all present. Global shipping and handling is available!Quite a rare analog synthesizer from the early 1980's (only 3,000 made). The Chroma was originally an ARP project. However Rhodes picked it up after ARP dissolved in 1981. Rhodes, best known for its Electric Pianos released the Chroma (and Chroma Polaris) as their premiere analog synthesizers. The Chroma had 16 voices with 1 oscillator per voice (or 8 voices with 2 osc/voice), a 64-note velocity sensitive weighted keyboard, and a very complicated but powerful synthesis design. Programming was further complexed by a limited implementation of just 2 rows of membrane push-buttons. With few sliders to grab, hands-on control is cut short. However the Chroma is a very stable and elegant synth with complete auto-tuning, split-keyboard mode and the ability to link to a computer! Although the Chroma came before there was MIDI, all was not lost. Rhodes used ARP's proprietary Digital Access Control which was used in some ARP instruments for inter-connecting them. Midi retro-fits can be purchased these days which convert MIDI to ARP's DAC system. Perhaps its most advanced feature for its time was the ability to interface with an Apple IIe computer for sequence and patch storage using dedicated Chroma software! That may not be very practical today, but historically it was a significant example of how synthesizers and personal-computers could work together. Also on-board you'll find two arpeggiators, a graphic equalizer, pitch/mod and 6 other sliders. A keyboardless expander module of the Chroma was also made available. It has been used by Jethro Tull, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul and Oscar Peterson.This unit does not include foot pedals, and does not include any additional accessories.
Description
| Condition: | For parts or not working: An item that does not function as intended and is not fully operational. This includes items that are defective in ways that render them difficult to use, items that require service or repair, or items missing essential components. See the seller’s listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition |
For sale is this vintage original Rhodes Chroma analog synthesizer. (Relisted due to non-paying high bidder, but for less than the previous sale!) This example, serial number 176, is being sold in as-is non-working condition for parts. It is entirely intact, appears as if someone started to service the power supply, and then gave up several minutes later. The cabinet isn't particularly nice, looks faded/washed? Serious oxidation to inputs/outputs and transformer. The voice boards (pictured) look intact and are all present. Global shipping and handling is available!Quite a rare analog synthesizer from the early 1980's (only 3,000 made). The Chroma was originally an ARP project. However Rhodes picked it up after ARP dissolved in 1981. Rhodes, best known for its Electric Pianos released the Chroma (and Chroma Polaris) as their premiere analog synthesizers. The Chroma had 16 voices with 1 oscillator per voice (or 8 voices with 2 osc/voice), a 64-note velocity sensitive weighted keyboard, and a very complicated but powerful synthesis design. Programming was further complexed by a limited implementation of just 2 rows of membrane push-buttons. With few sliders to grab, hands-on control is cut short. However the Chroma is a very stable and elegant synth with complete auto-tuning, split-keyboard mode and the ability to link to a computer! Although the Chroma came before there was MIDI, all was not lost. Rhodes used ARP's proprietary Digital Access Control which was used in some ARP instruments for inter-connecting them. Midi retro-fits can be purchased these days which convert MIDI to ARP's DAC system. Perhaps its most advanced feature for its time was the ability to interface with an Apple IIe computer for sequence and patch storage using dedicated Chroma software! That may not be very practical today, but historically it was a significant example of how synthesizers and personal-computers could work together. Also on-board you'll find two arpeggiators, a graphic equalizer, pitch/mod and 6 other sliders. A keyboardless expander module of the Chroma was also made available. It has been used by Jethro Tull, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul and Oscar Peterson.This unit does not include foot pedals, and does not include any additional accessories.