ARP Chroma
Encyclopedia
The ARP Chroma is a model of polyphonic synthesizer
developed in 1981 by ARP Instruments, Inc.
just before that company's bankruptcy and collapse. The design was eventually released by Fender as the Rhodes
Chroma, and was one of the early microprocessor-based Analog synthesizers. It was not the first commercial synth with a touch-sensitive keyboard
, using 64 weighted wooden keys; some units also included a polyphonic pressure sensor
under the keys. The synthesizer had 16 channels normally used in pairs for 8-note polyphony. It was controlled via a panel consisting of multi-purpose touch switches for selecting sounds or parameters of sound with a single slider for adjusting parameters. This approach was later copied by many more successful synths, such as the Yamaha DX-7. The main microprocessor was a 68B09, and it had a computer interface consisting of a 25-pin D-sub connector – this was before the invention of MIDI). An Apple IIe
interface card with sequencing software was released later on. Eventually, a third party came out with a Chroma-to-MIDI converter box. Fender also released a keyboardless version called the Chroma Expander, which could be slaved to the Chroma via its computer interface.
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
developed in 1981 by ARP Instruments, Inc.
ARP Instruments, Inc.
ARP Instruments, Inc. was an American manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, founded by Alan Robert Pearlman in 1969. Best known for its line of synthesizers that emerged in the early 1970s, ARP closed its doors in 1981 due to financial difficulties...
just before that company's bankruptcy and collapse. The design was eventually released by Fender as the Rhodes
Rhodes piano
The Rhodes piano is an electro-mechanical piano, invented by Harold Rhodes during the fifties and later manufactured in a number of models, first in collaboration with Fender and after 1965 by CBS....
Chroma, and was one of the early microprocessor-based Analog synthesizers. It was not the first commercial synth with a touch-sensitive keyboard
Musical keyboard
A musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the...
, using 64 weighted wooden keys; some units also included a polyphonic pressure sensor
Pressure sensor
A pressure sensor measures pressure, typically of gases or liquids. Pressure is an expression of the force required to stop a fluid from expanding, and is usually stated in terms of force per unit area. A pressure sensor usually acts as a transducer; it generates a signal as a function of the...
under the keys. The synthesizer had 16 channels normally used in pairs for 8-note polyphony. It was controlled via a panel consisting of multi-purpose touch switches for selecting sounds or parameters of sound with a single slider for adjusting parameters. This approach was later copied by many more successful synths, such as the Yamaha DX-7. The main microprocessor was a 68B09, and it had a computer interface consisting of a 25-pin D-sub connector – this was before the invention of MIDI). An Apple IIe
Apple IIe
The Apple IIe is the third model in the Apple II series of personal computers produced by Apple Computer. The e in the name stands for enhanced, referring to the fact that several popular features were now built-in that were only available as upgrades and add-ons in earlier models...
interface card with sequencing software was released later on. Eventually, a third party came out with a Chroma-to-MIDI converter box. Fender also released a keyboardless version called the Chroma Expander, which could be slaved to the Chroma via its computer interface.