ARP Chroma

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Chroma by Fender/Rhodes-ARP
Synthesis type:		Analog Subtractive
Polyphony:		16
Timbrality:		2
Keyboard:		64-key weighted
External control:		Apple II interface
Produced:		1982

The ARP Chroma was eventually released by Fender as the Rhodes Chroma & was one of the early microprocessor-based Analog synthesizers. It was 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 MIDI was invented.) 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.

The Chroma was rather expensive, and Fender wasn't as good at selling high-tech keyboards as it was guitars and amps, so it didn't sell as well as it might have (but there were other factors, such as the introduction of the Yamaha DX7). However, it developed a dedicated following. See http://www.rhodeschroma.com/.