| Notes | The ARP Chroma is a polyphonic, multitimbral, microprocessor controlled, subtractive synthesis analog synthesizer developed in 1979-1980 by ARP Instruments, Inc. just before the company's bankruptcy and collapse in 1981.
The design was purchased by CBS Musical Instruments and put into production by their Rhodes Division in 1982 as the Rhodes Chroma at a list price of US $5295. They also released a keyboard-less version of the Chroma called the Chroma Expander at a list price of US $3150.
The Chroma was one of the early microprocessor controlled analog synthesizers. It was designed before MIDI and featured a 25-pin D-sub connector computer interface used to slave the Expander to the Chroma. Also, an Apple IIe interface card and sequencing software was available.
The Rhodes Chroma and Expander were discontinued in 1984. Somewhere between 1400 and 3000 Chromas and Expanders were built.
Dual Footswitch (Sustain/latch):
Stereo phone jack; sustain on ring/latch on tip. Operates on standard PTL (LS) with 10K ohms pull up to +5V.
Sequence Footswitch:
Stereo phone jack; return on ring/signal on tip. Operates on standard PTL (LS) with 10K ohms pull up to +5V.
Variable Pedals (2):
Mono phone jack; ground on sleeve/signal on tip. 120k ohms pull up to +12V.
Outputs
Audio (0-3):
Stereo phone jack; signal on tip/return from mono and mix on ring. 100 ohms. Maximum swing ±10V.
Audio Mono (High Level):
Mono phone jacks; signal on tip/ground on sleeve. 100 ohms. Maximum swing ±10V.
Audio Mono (low Level):
Mono phone jacks; signal on tip/ground on sleeve. 60 ohms. Maximum swing ±1V.
Audio (Balanced):
2 standard XLR; ground on pin one, signal on pins two and three. 300 ohms, transformer, 12.3V (+24 db) RMS maximum.
Cassette Interface:
5-pin DIN connector. Operates motor drive transistor switch (opto isolated) with .8 amps maximum current. 30V DC maximum voltage.
Computer Interface:
25-pin mini-D. Operates on standard PTL (LS) "totem pole." 100 ohms series resistors.
Programming
50 user-programmable pre-sets (3K memory). 1 programming "safe buffer."
Keyboard
64-key wood (E to G) dynamic keyboard; velocity and pressure (optional) pressure sensitive.
Memory
7K (3K on battery back-up) RAM (16K ROM).
Dimensions
Length: 41.5"
Depth: 24"
height: 6 1/8"
Power Requirements
120-13V AC/200-250V AC AT 90 watts, 50-60Hz.
Weight
71 lbs.; 130 lbs. (in case) |
