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Rhodes Chroma Polaris

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RE: [chromapolaris] Chroma Polaris vs. Xpander??

2007-04-23 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: dgadwa
> 
> Just got my mitts on a Chroma Polaris.  I also have an 
> Oberheim Xpander. Understanding that they both use the 
> CEM3374 Dual VCO, the CEM3372 Signal Processor and the 
> CEM3372 Filter/Mix/VCA, I am wondering how much they will 
> sound alike. 
> 
> I was kind of hoping that there would be enough other 
> variables that one is going to sound "ARPish" and the other a 
> bit more "Oberheimy" by some other means. Obviously, I'd 
> expect simple patches to sound pretty similar between the 
> two, but overall, what would you say??

I've never used the Xpander, but the Polaris has an ADSDR envelope shape
which allows a family of sounds you can't easily get with most other synths.
Also, selective pitch bend is pretty unique, although Ensoniq later copied
it. There are a few other goodies, like the linear Hertz detune. These
features will probably have more to do with the overall sound than the kind
of filter chips used.

-- 

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...

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