Publisher: UVI
Website: www.uvi.net/en/vintage-synth/kroma
Format: SOUNDBANK
Quality: 16 bit 44.1 kHz stereo
Description: Rhodes Chroma is a 1982 16-voice analog synthesizer with a bold and blocky design. One of the first microprocessor-based analog synthesizers, it was also the last keyboard developed by ARP, 2600 and Odyssey before being sold by CBS in 1981.
Chroma could be used as a 1/16 voice or 2/8 voice synthesizer and was programmed mostly with a large set of membrane buttons (80s in every sense). While the programming was awkward, the design was quite complex with a rich sound, never harsh – perfect for bass, strings, funky piano sounds, and clicks.
Following Chroma was Polaris, a 6-voice analog synthesizer released in 1984. While Polaris is somewhat simplistic, it has more memory and extensive MIDI implementation with full parameter control and can play multiple patches at the same time. Like Chroma, Polaris has a rich analog sound capable of reproducing incredible bass, brass, strings and more – even some Synthex / Rendez-vous’esque sounds thanks to its sync parameter.
Installation :
A library with the ufs extension can be copied where it is convenient, in the Falcon settings (preferences soundbank) add the path to the library.
Copy the license file from the R2R folder with the R2RUVI extension to C: ProgramData UVI R2R
a UVI Falcon sampler is required to work with the bank
Growing up in the ’70’s, my best friend’s late brother was the head of research and development at ARP…….. he gave his brother an ARP Pro Soloist, and brought his own 2600 when he’d come home on weekends. He’d taught Edgar Winter, Pete Townsend, Joe Zawinul, many others how to use their 2600/2500 beasts. I’ve never forgotten his explanations on napkins of how velocity sensitive keyboards and hex guitar pickups (for MIDI) worked 🙂
I’d never heard of the Chroma or Polaris, though….. intrigued, gotta hear this.
Thanks for the esoterica!