Rhodes Chroma Polaris

I just had a question that I'm sure is simple.

I'm wondering how to use all 6 extra midi channels, and assign
different patches to midi different channels.

The closest I've gotten to this was using the "link lower" function,
assigning a bassline patch to midi channel 2, and a string patch to
midi channel 3, being controlled from an external sequencer.

I'm trying to figure out how to do the same thing, but by using all 6
midi channels.

I have the manual, and have read it, but it didn't quite explain it
clearly, and the print on that particular page was very hard to read
(got it online).

If you could give me some simple instructions to the secrets of
unlocking the 6 midi channels on the polaris, and how to assign
different patches to different channels, it'd be much appreciated.

thanks!

> I'm wondering how to use all 6 extra midi channels,
> and assign different patches to midi different channels...

You won't be able to have the Polaris 'send' data on 6 channels; however,
you can certainly have it simultaneously receive on 6 channels, and to be
playing up to 6 different sounds/patches.

The only real extra step is to program the Polaris to use the 'extra'
channels.

To do this, you'll use the "Lower Function" "K" selection (MIDI Channel
Selection).

Buttons 1-6 will set the base channel of the Polaris.

You can then use 7-12 to select how many 'extra' channels the polaris should
respond to.

You can actually have up to 8 channels being listened to (base -> base+7);
however, at any one time only 6 instruments can be sounding.

Here's an example configuration:

- LF-K to get into MIDI Channel Select mode
- Turn 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 off. Turn 1 on. This will set the base MIDI
Channel as "1"
- Turn 10 on. This will allow the use of base, base+1, base+2, base+3,
base+4 and base +5.

Now - you should be able to use your sequencer to control the polaris on
channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

If you do a program select over midi on each of these channels, you can have
your 6 channels active at once.

If you have any problems setting this up - just let us know.

I have all the channels open, I'm still trying to figure out how to
assign the polaris patches to different midi channels through the
sequencer.

I'm using an Alesis MMt8 sequencer. I've read a few books, and still
haven't figured out how to assign the chroma polaris patches to
different channels.

I'm really interested to use all of the voices at once.

> ... I have all the channels open, I'm still trying
> to figure out how to assign the polaris patches to
> different midi channels through the sequencer.
>
> I'm using an Alesis MMt8 sequencer...

I'm not an MMT8 user; however, from what a friend (www.travinomusic.com)
tells me I think you should be able to do it without problem.

The MMT-8 is 'dumb' in that it can't actually create the patch changes for
you, but it should be able to dutifully record anything you send it (except
poly pressure and note-off velocity I think).

Each MMT-8 track is able to record on a separate midi channel, with its own
program change, etc by default (unless you assign the MIDI filter to ask it
to ignore certain data).

So - that should mean all you have to do is to have something first which
can transmit on the different channels, and then record that data (along
with any patch-change information) directly into a track on the MMT-8.

The Polaris is able to transmit on the base channel, so by changing the base
channel between recordings, you can have the Polaris send MIDI data on
channel 1, 2, 3, etc.

Extending the earlier example, that should mean:

Set up MMT-8 to record on Track 1
Set up Polaris to transmit on Channel 1 (Lower Function - K, 1 on 2-6 off)
Start MMT-8 recording
Select the desired patch on the Polaris
Play desired part on the Polaris
Stop Recording MMT-8

Set up MMT-8 to record on Track 2
Set up Polaris to transmit on Channel 2 (Lower Function - K, 2 on, 1, 3-6
off)
Start MMT-8 recording
Select the desired patch on the Polaris
Play desired part on the Polaris
Stop Recording MMT-8

Set up MMT-8 to record on Track 3
Set up Polaris to transmit on Channel 3 (Lower Function - K, 3 on, 1&2, 4-6
off)
Start MMT-8 recording
Select the desired patch on the Polaris
Play desired part on the Polaris
Stop Recording MMT-8
...

Continue this process until you've recorded the tracks you're interested
in - with the MIDI channel data you're interested in.

Now - when you play back the 6 tracks (with the 6 channels of MIDI data),
you should be able to have the Polaris responding to them.