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musical instrument details
Fender Chroma Polaris Model 2123 Analog Synthesizer
Estimated price for orientation: 880 $
Category: Fender Chroma Ke
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Fender Number of Keys: 61 Type: Synthesizer Analog/Digital: Analog Features: Aftertouch, Modulation Wheel, Pitch Wheel, Sequencer Model: Chroma Polaris 2123 Inputs/Outputs: MIDI (DIN) In, MIDI (DIN) Out Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
If you're looking at this you probably know what it is, but in case not...Very cool analog synthesizer from around 1983. All analog sound processing combined with early use of microprocessor control in a synthesizer. Having a micro gives lots of presets, full blown MIDI interface and lots of other cool stuff. But being truly analog gives that sound that only analog synthesis gives. This was the last synthesizer bought out by CBS/Fender who had purchased analog synth pioneers ARP Instruments. There aren't a lot of these around anymore as they had a fatal flaw - the materials used in the fabrication of the membrane control panels would deteriorate and cause irreparable, inevitable failures in the circuitry - rendering the instrument unusable. As a result, I think a lot of these were scrapped/parted out. But a few years ago, one of the original engineers on the Polaris (who posts on a yahoo group for this instrument) had the panels re-fabricated with better, non-deteriorating materials and offered them for sale. My original had failed (as the originals pretty much all do eventually) and was collecting dust for a long time awaiting it's fate. But once I found out about the new panel availability I bought one and brought this back to life. You can tell if it has the new membrane panels as the font on the "SEQUENCER" section is the same size as the rest of the sections. On the old sketchy membrane panels, the font was smaller. Anyway, all buttons, sliders and LED's work fine now.A few details..
- 6 voices, 6 note polyphony, 2 VCO's per voice
- 2 envelope generators - ADSDR and ADR - can control a bunch of stuff
- velocity sensitive 61 key keyboard
- 132 presets, sequencer
- good MIDI implementation including CC control of many parameters
- can "split" the keyboard and put different sounds on each side of the split. 2 synths in one!Better than average cosmetics. Has full complement of memory. I put a socket on the output board for the output op amplifier - currently has an LF347 in (instead of crappy stock LM348) for more punch. Includes factory owners and service manual, a dual footswitch I cobbled together for the sustain and metronome functions, and a spare unused Curtis CEM3374 VCO chip. Factory presets currently loaded. Auto-tunes all 6 voices perfectly warm or cold. New batteries to keep the presets alive.Very cool instrument. Research it further if you're interested, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Fender |
| Number of Keys: | 61 | Type: | Synthesizer |
| Analog/Digital: | Analog | Features: | Aftertouch, Modulation Wheel, Pitch Wheel, Sequencer |
| Model: | Chroma Polaris 2123 | Inputs/Outputs: | MIDI (DIN) In, MIDI (DIN) Out |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: | Japan |
If you're looking at this you probably know what it is, but in case not...Very cool analog synthesizer from around 1983. All analog sound processing combined with early use of microprocessor control in a synthesizer. Having a micro gives lots of presets, full blown MIDI interface and lots of other cool stuff. But being truly analog gives that sound that only analog synthesis gives. This was the last synthesizer bought out by CBS/Fender who had purchased analog synth pioneers ARP Instruments. There aren't a lot of these around anymore as they had a fatal flaw - the materials used in the fabrication of the membrane control panels would deteriorate and cause irreparable, inevitable failures in the circuitry - rendering the instrument unusable. As a result, I think a lot of these were scrapped/parted out. But a few years ago, one of the original engineers on the Polaris (who posts on a yahoo group for this instrument) had the panels re-fabricated with better, non-deteriorating materials and offered them for sale. My original had failed (as the originals pretty much all do eventually) and was collecting dust for a long time awaiting it's fate. But once I found out about the new panel availability I bought one and brought this back to life. You can tell if it has the new membrane panels as the font on the "SEQUENCER" section is the same size as the rest of the sections. On the old sketchy membrane panels, the font was smaller. Anyway, all buttons, sliders and LED's work fine now.A few details..
- 6 voices, 6 note polyphony, 2 VCO's per voice
- 2 envelope generators - ADSDR and ADR - can control a bunch of stuff
- velocity sensitive 61 key keyboard
- 132 presets, sequencer
- good MIDI implementation including CC control of many parameters
- can "split" the keyboard and put different sounds on each side of the split. 2 synths in one!Better than average cosmetics. Has full complement of memory. I put a socket on the output board for the output op amplifier - currently has an LF347 in (instead of crappy stock LM348) for more punch. Includes factory owners and service manual, a dual footswitch I cobbled together for the sustain and metronome functions, and a spare unused Curtis CEM3374 VCO chip. Factory presets currently loaded. Auto-tunes all 6 voices perfectly warm or cold. New batteries to keep the presets alive.Very cool instrument. Research it further if you're interested, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
- 6 voices, 6 note polyphony, 2 VCO's per voice
- 2 envelope generators - ADSDR and ADR - can control a bunch of stuff
- velocity sensitive 61 key keyboard
- 132 presets, sequencer
- good MIDI implementation including CC control of many parameters
- can "split" the keyboard and put different sounds on each side of the split. 2 synths in one!Better than average cosmetics. Has full complement of memory. I put a socket on the output board for the output op amplifier - currently has an LF347 in (instead of crappy stock LM348) for more punch. Includes factory owners and service manual, a dual footswitch I cobbled together for the sustain and metronome functions, and a spare unused Curtis CEM3374 VCO chip. Factory presets currently loaded. Auto-tunes all 6 voices perfectly warm or cold. New batteries to keep the presets alive.Very cool instrument. Research it further if you're interested, and don't be afraid to ask questions.