Rhodes Chroma Polaris

Hi Everyone,

I recently acquired a Polaris with the left side membrane dead as a Dodo, so I am unable to auto-tune it. I thought I could access the front panel options via Sound Quest (I downloaded the demo), but the front panel emulator only affects the sliders - none of the buttons work. Is there something I'm missing? Has anyone here got Sound Quest (or some other program) to activate the auto-tune remotely?

Thanks,

Trevor

Hi -

If you can use Midi Ox, here goes... at least in theory.

You need Midi Ox to recognize the Polaris.  Hook up the synth to one MIDI port and unhook the rest.  You may have to set the Polaris to Local mode or not.  I don't know how it's set now.

"The Polaris MIDI supports Poly, Mono, Poly/Omni and Mono/Omni modes. The
system always powers up in >>> Poly/Omni mode <<<; the mode can be changed from
the panel as well as through the MIDI interface.

When either Omni Mode is in effect, information received on all 16 MIDI
channels is routed into the Main instrument."

So, you may not have to fiddle with Midi Ox recognizing it.

To Tune all the voices, you need to simulate "Lower Function -> Tune All".  From the manual, send this SYSEX request to the Polaris - just the numbers:

11110110         Tune Request

This works by simulating the LOWER FUNCTION, TUNE ALL switch presses.
It will not work if the control panel is already in the middle of a
multi-switch sequence.

If you get them tuned, they should be tuned when you turn it back on.  According to the manual, changes are non-volatile except those that are factory set that way.

Tracy



--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 7/9/18, oojimentis@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 Subject: [chromapolaris] Auto Tune via MIDI
 To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
 Date: Monday, July 9, 2018, 12:06 PM
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       Hi Everyone,
 I recently acquired a
 Polaris with the left side membrane dead as a Dodo, so I am
 unable to auto-tune it.  I thought I could access the front
 panel options via Sound Quest (I downloaded the demo), but
 the front panel emulator only affects the sliders - none of
 the buttons work. Is there something I'm missing? Has
 anyone here got Sound Quest (or some other program) to
 activate the auto-tune remotely?
 Thanks,Trevor
 
     
      
 
     
     
 
 
 
 #yiv5019642980 #yiv5019642980 --

BTW -

You may - over time - want to purchase a new membrane face plate from Paul De Rocco.  He has them on eBay.  If you are a Polaris fan, then the $ is worth it.  The job is moderate to do, but if a (inbre"a"d, lame brain, can't solder his butt out of a paper bag - I've sort of been told this in another group here in not so many words) can do it and do it well, then most people can.  If you get one, let us know.  I have a small secret about doing it that I've told everyone here that hasn't seem to spread virally.

Worth the $ - you betcha...  when that puppy sings, it sings.  About $200+.  Takes care of plenty of issues you think are not the membrane panel as well.  Considering refurbed Polaris are going for $1200 and up, it's a good investment.

Tracy Barber




--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 7/9/18, oojimentis@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 Subject: [chromapolaris] Auto Tune via MIDI
 To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
 Date: Monday, July 9, 2018, 12:06 PM
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       Hi Everyone,
 I recently acquired a
 Polaris with the left side membrane dead as a Dodo, so I am
 unable to auto-tune it.  I thought I could access the front
 panel options via Sound Quest (I downloaded the demo), but
 the front panel emulator only affects the sliders - none of
 the buttons work. Is there something I'm missing? Has
 anyone here got Sound Quest (or some other program) to
 activate the auto-tune remotely?
 Thanks,Trevor

That’s good to know.I bought my Polaris with a damaged membrane and about the only function that didn’t work was the tuning.I’ve since replaced the membranes which you really should do.Paul T


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone


On Monday, July 9, 2018, 11:55 AM, oojimentis@yahoo.com [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

    

Hi Tracy,
Thank You!!
That worked, just had to convert the binary to hex (F6) and send it. Tune light flashed a few times and now it's in tune and sounds fantastic!
Thanks again,Trevor.  #yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731 -- #yiv9642556731ygrp-mkp {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:10px 0;padding:0 10px;}#yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731ygrp-mkp hr {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;}#yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731ygrp-mkp #yiv9642556731hd {color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;margin:10px 0;}#yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731ygrp-mkp #yiv9642556731ads {margin-bottom:10px;}#yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731ygrp-mkp .yiv9642556731ad {padding:0 0;}#yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731ygrp-mkp .yiv9642556731ad p {margin:0;}#yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731ygrp-mkp .yiv9642556731ad a {color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;}#yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731ygrp-sponsor #yiv9642556731ygrp-lc {font-family:Arial;}#yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731ygrp-sponsor #yiv9642556731ygrp-lc #yiv9642556731hd {margin:10px 0px;font-weight:700;font-size:78%;line-height:122%;}#yiv9642556731 #yiv9642556731ygrp-sponsor #yiv9642556731ygrp-lc .yiv9642556731ad {margin-bottom:10px;padding:0 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Awesome...

I knew my MIDI would come in handy some day.  :)

Tracy


--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 7/9/18, oojimentis@...m [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [chromapolaris] Auto Tune via MIDI
 To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
 Date: Monday, July 9, 2018, 2:55 PM
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       Hi Tracy,
 Thank You!!
 That worked, just had to convert the
 binary to hex (F6) and send it. Tune light flashed a few
 times and now it's in tune and sounds
 fantastic!
 Thanks
 again,Trevor.

Ditto on replacing the membrane.  It IS worth the effort.  A lot of the controller thingies and functions can be jump started like that, but nothing like a new front for it.

Tracy


--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 7/9/18, Paul Krull paul.krull@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [chromapolaris] Auto Tune via MIDI
 To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
 Date: Monday, July 9, 2018, 6:48 PM
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       
 That’s good to know.I bought my Polaris with a
 damaged membrane and about the only function that didn’t
 work was the tuning.I’ve since replaced the
 membranes which you really should do.Paul T
 
 
 Sent from
 Yahoo Mail for iPhone
 
 On
 Monday, July 9, 2018, 11:55 AM, oojimentis@...m
 [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
 wrote:
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       Hi Tracy,
 Thank You!!
 That worked, just had to convert the
 binary to hex (F6) and send it. Tune light flashed a few
 times and now it's in tune and sounds
 fantastic!
 Thanks
 again,Trevor.

Hi Trevor,

find an Atari 1040 ST with black-and-white-monitor, download the program "POLARIST.PRG" from

http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=polarisataribankloader

and load it per floppy disk to the Atari, connect Midi between Atari and Polaris (I think the Polaris should be in Omni Mode or listen to Midi channel 1)

and you should be able to remotely control any function of the polaris.

Okay, that is very old style and not so easy to perform  - but with this the Polaris is again full accessible anytime.

Best
Albrecht Storz

> Gesendet: Mittwoch, 11. Juli 2018 um 03:38 Uhr
> Von: "oojimentis@... [chromapolaris]" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
> An: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
> Betreff: Re: [chromapolaris] Auto Tune via MIDI
>
> Unfortunately, I can't go for a new panel just at the moment :-( 
> 
>   I was really hoping that Sound Quest would work for all the front panel operations like the upper and lower buttons. I have the VCA/Envelope issue where notes cut off abruptly and can't work out from the midi documentation how I would activate the calibration remotely. Has anyone managed a work around for this?
>  
> 
>  Regards,
>  Trevor.
>  
> 
>   
> 
>

> Unfortunately, I can't go for a new panel just at the moment :-(
>
> 
I was really hoping that Sound Quest would work for all the front panel 
> operations like the upper and lower buttons...

All panel controls are available to be adjusted remotely.

Details are in the MIDI Implementation Manual (xref: http://www.rhodeschroma.com/content/polaris/midimanual.pdf)

You can send messages to the 'Panel' to cause Switch Presses and Slider Moves.

For instance, if you wanted to press button 1 (the 'stop' button) you might issue:

F0 08 01 53 31 36 30 30 30 43 30 32 F7 

Where:

 0xF0             /* Start of Sysex */
 0x08             /* Fender Manuf. ID */
 0x01             /* Channel Number */
 0x53             /* "S" for Send Message */

                  /* Stream number = Panel = 0x16 */
 0x31             /* ASCII 0x31 = the number "1" */
 0x36             /* ASCII 0x36 = the number "6" */

                  /* Instrument Number = 0, always exists */
 0x30
 0x30

                  /* Switch Press = 0x0C */
 0x30             /* ASCII 0x30 = the number "0" */
 0x43             /* ASCII 0x43 = the letter "C" */

                  /* Switch number = Stop = 0x01 */
 0x30             /* ASCII 0x30 = the number "0" */
 0x31             /* ASCII 0x31 = the number "1" */

 0xF7             /* End Sysex */

Note - if you don't know what MIDI Channel the Polaris is currently listening to (and if you don't have panel control to allow you to set it/change it), then you can try each of the channels to see which one is active (e.g., change the channel number above from 01 to 02, to 03, etc. to find which channel is being responded to).

The same general steps above could be used for any panel buttons.

The same approach (from the manual) can also be used for the sliders.

David Clarke

Doesn't the Polaris start in Omni Poly?

Tracy

--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 7/11/18, 'David Clarke' ac151@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [chromapolaris] Auto Tune via MIDI
 To: "chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
 Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 9:39 AM
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       > Unfortunately, I can't go for a new panel
 just at the moment :-(
 
 >
 
 > 
 
 I was really hoping that Sound Quest would work for all the
 front panel 
 
 > operations like the upper and lower buttons...
 
 
 
 All panel controls are available to be adjusted remotely.
 
 
 
 Details are in the MIDI Implementation Manual (xref:
 http://www.rhodeschroma.com/content/polaris/midimanual.pdf)
 
 
 
 You can send messages to the 'Panel' to cause Switch
 Presses and Slider Moves.
 
 
 
 For instance, if you wanted to press button 1 (the
 'stop' button) you might issue:
 
 
 
 F0 08 01 53 31 36 30 30 30 43 30 32 F7 
 
 
 
 Where:
 
 
 
 0xF0             /* Start of Sysex */
 
  0x08             /* Fender Manuf. ID */
 
  0x01             /* Channel Number */
 
  0x53             /* "S" for Send Message */
 
 
 
 /* Stream number = Panel = 0x16 */
 
  0x31             /* ASCII 0x31 = the number "1"
 */
 
  0x36             /* ASCII 0x36 = the number "6"
 */
 
 
 
 /* Instrument Number = 0, always exists */
 
  0x30
 
  0x30
 
 
 
 /* Switch Press = 0x0C */
 
  0x30             /* ASCII 0x30 = the number "0"
 */
 
  0x43             /* ASCII 0x43 = the letter "C"
 */
 
 
 
 /* Switch number = Stop = 0x01 */
 
  0x30             /* ASCII 0x30 = the number "0"
 */
 
  0x31             /* ASCII 0x31 = the number "1"
 */
 
 
 
 0xF7             /* End Sysex */
 
 
 
 Note - if you don't know what MIDI Channel the Polaris
 is currently listening to (and if you don't have panel
 control to allow you to set it/change it), then you can try
 each of the channels to see which one is active (e.g.,
 change the channel number above from 01 to 02, to 03, etc.
 to find which channel is being responded to).
 
 
 
 The same general steps above could be used for any panel
 buttons.
 
 
 
 The same approach (from the manual) can also be used for the
 sliders.
 
 
 
 David Clarke

It's the lower function that gets in the way - extra baggage.  I wonder if Midi Ox can allow you to set up a bunch of macros - or another Midi Tool - so that you can go through them as though you were punching them in from the front panel.  It's been a long time (DOS days) since I wrote editor / librarians.  Other, of course, than some esoteric rig or one that would cost you more than a new membrane plate.

Those damn Composite monitors are a bear to buy but use to be a dime a dozen.  I have a Yamaha CX5-M with a green Gorilla monitor.  Want a color one but won't spend $150 for it. Although, at thrift stores you never know!

Tracy



--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 7/11/18, oojimentis@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [chromapolaris] Auto Tune via MIDI
 To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
 Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 11:51 AM
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       Hi David,
 Thanks for this great information! I
 was able to send a command to activate the lower function
 button and then perform the VCA calibration
 manually.
 What a great
 bunch of folks in this group!
 Best,Trevor.