Rhodes Chroma Polaris

Hello folks,

My name is Michael DeAngelis and I'm new to the
users group. I've been a Polaris II user from 1986 to
2004. That membrane switch death that's been going
'round hit my Polaris pretty hard. After years of
trusted operation on the road and in my home studio
I've had to shelf it for now. It still makes sounds on
a good day, but since Lower Function isn't working,
auto tuning the voices is out of the question. I used
Sound Diver for awhile which was a decent work around
for accessing those goofy membrane switches but not
system level stuff like Upper Function and Lower
Function. I hope to get it working again at some point
since I miss tweaking patches on it. Been using
software synths lately, " I love it, I hate it."
Chis Ryan just posted a bank of Patches I created
from 1996 - 2000 for use in an 80's cover band. I have
no documentation except for A-2 which is "Jump"
(better than the original with appropriate FX) and F-7
which is a linked lead guitar. I have more banks saved
on tape which I will share with the group as soon as I
find them and find the time. I recently moved!

Cheers,
Michael DeAngelis

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On 14-May-06, at 6:17 AM, Michael DeAngelis wrote:

> Chis Ryan just posted a bank of Patches I created
> from 1996 - 2000 for use in an 80's cover band.

Michael's patches can be found here:

http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=polarispatches#deangelis


Chris

On 14-May-06, at 6:17 AM, Michael DeAngelis wrote:

>      Chis Ryan just posted a bank of Patches I created
> from 1996 - 2000 for use in an 80's cover band.

Michael's patches can be found here:

http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=polarispatches#deangelis


Chris

> I am unable to load these patches into my rev 9 chroma polaris. I'm using
> the sync in jack and the cables test good. Haven't loaded in a couple
> years. Anyone able to?

I just have just given it a try, and the patches loaded on the first
attempt.

When you do a 'load all', do you see any change in behaviour of the LEDs?

What settings do you see with LF-C selected? (esp "3", which controls the
cassette input level?)

> Has anyone ever done a LOWER FUNCTION, DIAGNOSTICS, 12, STOP- The entire
> memory is reased, and the Ploaris is reset? The manual notes: "This
> really,
> honestly does erase everything in the Polaris' memory. Everything. All
> adjustments, including the factory adjustments, will need to be performed
> after this."
>
> What does adjusting the factory settings entail? Is it just setting the
> slider value ranges, etc...?

It is slider ranges - but the more important one is the settings which
control the voice parameter ranges (which will affect whether voices will
actually sound or not).

If things have been fully erased, you can refer to the "What to Do If You
Loose Your Memory" section of the service manual
(http://www.rhodeschroma.com/content/polaris/servicemanual.pdf). This is
covered in chapter 6, and it summarizes all the steps to go through and
reset the memory, and to redo the necessary setup of the keyboard.

-----Original Message-----
From: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com [mailto:chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of David Clarke
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 6:45 PM
To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [chromapolaris] New Chroma Polaris Patches Posted

> I am unable to load these patches into my rev 9 chroma polaris.  I'm using
> the sync in jack and the cables test good.  Haven't loaded in a couple
> years.  Anyone able to?

I just have just given it a try, and the patches loaded on the first
attempt.

When you do a 'load all', do you see any change in behaviour of the LEDs?

What settings do you see with LF-C selected? (esp "3", which controls the
cassette input level?)
[Brinkmann Music] 

 

No change in LED during load all.  1 and 2 are lit.  3 is not.  I turned 3 on, still can't load.  I was able to load a few years ago.  Strange.   Maybe I should try the DIN cable connection?  I have a 4 way RCA DIN cable from an old reel to reel deck.  Would that work?

> Has anyone ever done a LOWER FUNCTION, DIAGNOSTICS, 12, STOP- The entire
> memory is reased, and the Ploaris is reset?  The manual notes: "This
> really,
> honestly does erase everything in the Polaris' memory.  Everything.  All
> adjustments, including the factory adjustments, will need to be performed
> after this."
>
> What does adjusting the factory settings entail?  Is it just setting the
> slider value ranges, etc...?

It is slider ranges - but the more important one is the settings which
control the voice parameter ranges (which will affect whether voices will
actually sound or not).

If things have been fully erased, you can refer to the "What to Do If You
Loose Your Memory" section of the service manual
(http://www.rhodeschroma.com/content/polaris/servicemanual.pdf).  This is
covered in chapter 6, and it summarizes all the steps to go through and
reset the memory, and to redo the necessary setup of the keyboard.

>> When you do a 'load all', do you see any change
>> in behaviour of the LEDs?

> No change in LED during load all.

99% of the time it is really just a 'level' issue. If the 'upper function'
button stays lit - but none of the program buttons flash, it usually means
that there's a break in the signal, or the level is too low. If you have
any way to 'see' the level on the 1/4" jack going into the Polaris (e.g.,
oscilloscope, or even multi-meter), we can get a feel for the level.

In lieu of a good reference, my rule of thumb is usually to set the Polaris
up to 'load all', and then continue to increase the levels until I see LEDs
on the panel start to flash. If they flash briefly once, and the the upper
function LED goes out, then that may mean 'error', or too high of a signal
level.

> Maybe I should try the DIN cable connection? I have a 4
> way RCA DIN cable from an old reel to reel deck. Would that work?

That connection would likely work; however, if you're already having
difficulties in making sure the signal is OK, it might add another level of
uncertainty unless you're certain which of the RCAs goes to the 'audio in'
of the DIN connection.

Electrically, the 1/4" SYNC IN is intended to be the same connection as the
audio-in from the DIN connector.

Good luck in your loading!