Rhodes Chroma by Cherry Audio

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Rhodes Chroma by Cherry Audio A Legacy of Innovation A year and a half in the making! The long-awaited and often requested Rhodes Chroma by Cherry Audio is a virtual instrument tha t brings back the spirit and sounds of the iconic Rhodes Chroma polyphonic analog synthesizer from 1982 with the utmost accuracy. Due to its highly complex nature and sheer number of parameters, this has been among the most challenging virtual instruments Cherry Audio has ever created. We’ve painstakingly emulated every aspect with exacting precision while making the sound programming experience more intuitive with easy-to-use pop-up menus and informative real-time display directly built into the parameter buttons. Topping it off, switching the standard single instrument mode to double mode adds a Rhodes Chroma Expander - an entire additional Rhodes Chroma Synthesizer that can run in layer or split modes! The Story of Rhodes Chroma In 1979, the pioneers at ARP Instruments began researching and developing one of the most ambitious synthesizer designs of that time - the Rhodes Chroma. The Rhodes Chroma was a 16-voice polyphonic marvel, controlled by a microprocessor, with aftertouch and advanced signal routing and modulation. Unfortunately, ARP was entering bankruptcy in 1981. Fortunately, the Rhodes Chroma design was preserved by Rhodes, which produced it from 1982 to 1984, at the dawn of the new digital era. While it was a feat of engineering, the flat panel interface of the Rhodes Chroma wasn’t up to the task of accessing its immense sound and feature set. Despite its challenges, the Rhodes Chroma was a monumental final achievement for ARP’s visionary engineering team. Explore the heritage of the Rhodes Chroma synthesizer in our video documentary The Story of Rhodes Chroma, featuring exclusive interviews and insights through the firsthand accounts of those who stood at the forefront of its creation. The Rhodes Chroma is a rare and exceptional synthesizer, with only around 3,000 produced by Rhodes and as few as 150 keyboardless Expanders. It is highly regarded by synth luminaries and is still cherished for its unique sound. The Rhodes Chroma was famously used by musicians including Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Jethro Tull, and Oscar Peterson. It’s also the source of the signature “wah-wah” chords heard throughout Spandau Ballet’s smash 1983 hit, “True.” Rhodes introduced the Rhodes Chroma in 1982 at just over $5,000 and the Expander for $2,500. Today, either of these fetch between $8,000 and $16,000 on the used market! Cherry Audio's Dan Goldstein demonstrates the original 1982 Rhodes Chroma programming method with its notorious "tapper" and simple digital display. A Rhodes Chroma - Expanded! - for Everyone Rhodes Chroma by Cherry Audio is a stunning virtual instrument that meticulously revives the essence and sonic capabilities of the legendary original. This endeavor has been one of Cherry Audio’s most ambitious projects, presenting a formidable challenge due to the original’s complexity and the vast array of parameters it comprises. The result is an instrument that not only matches but elevates the original’s experience, offering an unmatched level of innovation and authenticity worthy of the original. Rhodes Chroma faithfully reproduces every nuance of the Rhodes Chroma with astonishing accuracy. Remarkably, it allows direct import of SysEx patch data from the original instrument, bridging four decades of sound design into a modern workflow. Cherry Audio has painstakingly recreated each component of the original Rhodes Chroma hardware, from its 16 oscillators, filters, VCAs, and LFOs to its 32 envelope generators. These highly modular elements can be selected from 16 distinct preconfigured signal paths, ranging from straightforward VCO-VCF-VCA setups to intricate configurations involving oscillator sync, filter FM, ring modulation, and variable or serially connected filters. Central to the Rhodes Chroma’s design is an improved user interface that dramatically simplifies programming. Intuitive pop-up elements and real-time displays integrated directly into parameter buttons make sound design an effortlessly rewarding experience. All of the original Rhodes Chroma’s unprecedented modulation capabilities have been precisely replicated to create a powerfully flexible modular synthesizer-like programming experience. Modulation paths are configured quickly and easily using comprehensive modulation pop-up menus. A glimpse at what was: a small portion of Chris Ryan's complex Parameter Chart that allowed users of the original Rhodes Chroma to translate the hardware's numeric values into synthesizer parameters. Cherry Audio's Rhodes Chroma interface dramatically simplifies programming by making all of this data considerably more accessible. The original Rhodes Chroma was renowned for its expressive capabilities, including velocity sensitivity and aftertouch, and keyboard assignments for six monophonic modes (including unison), four polyphonic modes (including poly unison), and six arpeggiator modes. Rhodes Chroma captures these features and enhances them significantly by including an emulation of the Expander, effectively doubling the possibilities with layers and splits and 16 polyphonic voices across all modes. Loaded with the original 250 factory presets and enriched by an additional 450 custom presets crafted by our sound design virtuosos, the Rhodes Chroma synthesizer offers an expansive library that caters to every musical genre and production style. Rhodes Chroma also includes seven studio-quality integrated effects, including distortion, phaser, flange/chorus, delay, and reverb, and a global EQ and limiter. Rhodes Chroma is more than just a virtual replica of the original synthesizer's complex structure and expressive depth. It goes beyond that and incorporates Cherry Audio's own characteristic innovation to finally make Rhodes Chroma's unique sonic qualities accessible to today's musicians and producers. To get users up and running with Rhodes Chroma, lead designer Mitchell Sigman has created an introductory tutorial video that walks users through the features of this iconic virtual synthesizer and offers tips on how to get the most from it quickly. Producers will find immediate inspiration in Rhodes Chroma's extensive preset library, created by talented sound artists led by veteran sound designer James Terris. And make sure to check out the Rhodes Chroma Classics Preset Pack (sold separately), featuring 100 more phenomenal presets that blend vintage tones with a contemporary feel. James Terris James is Director of Sound Design, responsible for preset programming and curation at Cherry Audio. He is a long-established sound designer and musician based in the San Francisco Bay Area who has worked with Dave Smith Instruments/Sequential, Pioneer DJ, Apple, and Han Zimmer’s Remote Control. Michael Oakley Michael Oakley is a Scottish producer and singer whose moody, melancholic synthwave/retrowave sound is a love letter to 1980s synthpop. His albums California (2017), Introspect (2019), and Odyssey (2021) have gained huge critical acclaim from The Huffington Post and NewRetroWave. Matia Simovich (INHALT) Matia (INHALT) Simovich has shared his unique sound design skills with various leading musical instrument manufacturers such as Sequential/Dave Smith Instruments, Akai Professional, Elektron, and more. He has collaborated with Peter Baumann (Tangerine Dream), and produced Body of Light’s Billboard charting LP “Time to Kill." James Dyson James is a freelance sound designer and musician based in the UK, and creates third-party preset packs as JD Soundsets. He draws inspiration and influence from Tangerine Dream and 80s film scores, and has designed sounds for Modal and IK Multimedia. Drew Schlesinger Drew Schlesinger began developing third-party sounds for Casio CZ synths in 1986, leading to a career designing presets for over 200 products from 30 companies including Roland, Korg, Kurzweil, Alesis, E-mu, Ensoniq, TC, Lexicon, Eventide, and others. After a 20-year hiatus in the corporate world, he has recently returned to music and sound design. Mark Wilcox Mark Wilcox is an avowed synth geek, writer, and artist who’s been programming synths since before he was old enough to drive. Mark has contributed sounds and product designs for synths and software/hardware from Sequential, Avid, Digidesign, and Groove Synthesis. His obsession with making sonic mischief has only grown with time and technology. “This synth exceeded all my expectations with the massiveness of its sounds. Thank you for another massive monster. Your instruments personally diversify many of my projects with the sound and uniqueness of each synth.” Majed Salih Musician, producerMedievil Music “Cherry Audio does it again with the Rhodes Chroma. Love the recreation, love the presets, too. Can’t wait to dig deeper into it.” Mike Dean Multi-GRAMMY award winning hip hop record producer, audio engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalistKanye West, Beyoncé, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Jay-Z, Madonna, Lana Del Rey, MWA “Cherry Audio's emulation is everything wonderful about this gorgeous synth but without its quirky original difficulties - I had goosebumps playing these lush and seductive sounds again. It's an absolute treat to have this lost synth Eldorado restored to life, with a whole smorgasbord of neat innovations, user-friendly tweaks and operating improvements included.” Howard Goodall EMMY, BRIT and BAFTA award-winning composer of choral music, stage musicals, film and TV scoresRowan Atkinson, Red Dwarf, Blackadder, Mr. Bean, The Thin Blue Line, The Vicar of Dibley, The Catherine Tate Show, and more “Cherry Audio has done it again! They have captured the incredible depth and richness of the Rhodes Chroma in a plug-in. A incredible achievement. Now, I have another everyday synthesizer.” Michael Whalen Michael Whalen 2X Emmy® Award Winning Composer and Recording Artist with more than one billion streams to his credit. “Like all Cherry Audio's instruments, their design philosophy inspires my creativity. This instrument is a welcome voice in my current project!” John Massari Composer, sound designerFilm and TV composer for Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Wizard of Speed & Time, Ray Bradbury Theater, Retro Puppet Master, and more. “The programming interface of the original was not without its challenges but Cherry’s presentation of the instrument’s topology and its ease of programming presents a massive quality of life improvement, making it a much more user friendly experience. The inclusion of the “rarer than hen’s teeth” Expander is without a doubt it’s “cherry” on top, a fantastic surprise.” Vince Pupillo Jr Sound designer, musicianAssociate Director of EMEAPP (Electronic Music Education Preservation Project) “It’s just how I remember it sounding when I first played it! It was more than a stroll down memory lane. I’m really looking forward to including the Rhodes Chroma in my future recordings and gigs.” Steve Weingart Pianist, keyboardist, composerSteve Lukather, Renee Jones, Simon Phillips, Dave Weckl, Kenny Rankin, Chaka Khan, Marilyn Scott, and many more “Saved from extinction, one of the most versatile inventive synthesizers ever. Use this with a touchscreen and you're transported back to 1982. Fabulous graphics, fabulous sounds. THIS IS MEGA!” Jezz Woodroffe Film composer/KeyboardistBlack Sabbath, Robert Plant Rhodes Chroma Features Exactingly faithful virtual analog emulation of the analog polyphonic synthesizer released by Rhodes in 1982, from its 16 polyphonic voices to its expressive velocity and polyphonic aftertouch capabilities 16 Oscillators, Filters, VCAs, and LFOs, and 32 Envelope Generators 16 distinct preconfigured signal paths, ranging from straightforward VCO-VCF-VCA setups to intricate configurations featuring oscillator sync, filter FM, ring modulation, and variable or serial filter paths Intuitive menus and real-time displays simplify the programming process, making it accessible to novices and seasoned professionals alike All of the original Rhodes Chroma’s unprecedented modulation capabilities have been precisely replicated to create a powerfully flexible modular synthesizer-like programming experience. Modulation paths are configured quickly and easily using Rhodes Chroma’s comprehensive modulation pop-up menus Includes the Rhodes Chroma Expander module, which adds an entire second Rhodes Chroma synthesizer to the mix, running in layer or split modes for expanded creative possibilities SysEx Import: Owners of MIDI-retrofitted Rhodes Chroma or Expander hardware can directly transfer banks and individual patches to Rhodes Chroma via SysEx dump. Additionally, users can easily import Rhodes Chroma SysEx files through drag-and-drop Seven studio-quality onboard effects, including distortion, phaser, flange/chorus, delay, and reverb, as well as a global EQ and limiter 700 extraordinary presets in over a dozen categories: includes the original 250 Rhodes Chroma factory presets and an additional 450 custom presets crafted by a stellar team of sound designers Standalone virtual instrument and plug-in versions Complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI Learn and mapping Cherry Audio’s popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize via drag Complete documentation available directly online from the instrument or in downloadable PDF format User-adjustable oversampling control Also available: Rhodes Chroma Classics Preset Pack (sold separately), featuring 100 more phenomenal presets that blend vintage tones with a contemporary feel. System Requirements Rhodes Chroma by Cherry Audio is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats. macOS Requirements: macOS 10.13 or above. 64-bit required. Intel or Apple Silicon processor. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core or Apple Silicon CPU with 8GB of RAM recommended. Windows Requirements: Windows 7 or above. 64-bit required. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended. Hard disk space: 74 MB NOTE: Internet connection required for product activation Rhodes® is a registered trademark of Rhodes Music Ltd. There is no association, affiliation or endorsement of Cherry Audio or its products by Rhodes Music. Registration InformationPurchase Code: https://store.cherryaudio.com/redeem Show more