Virtual instrument that faithfully recreates the 1982 Rhodes Chroma polyphonic analogue synthesizer – including the Chroma Expander as a complete second synthesizer for layered and split sounds.

Developed at ARP and built under the Rhodes name from 1982, the Chroma was a microprocessor-controlled 16-voice synthesizer with aftertouch and advanced signal routing, played by Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Jethro Tull and Oscar Peterson, among others. Now carrying the Rhodes name through a collaboration with Rhodes Music, the emulation reproduces the 16 voices with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch, while menus, real-time displays and modulation pop-up menus make programming far more accessible than on the original’s flat panel. 16 preconfigured signal paths range from a simple VCO-VCF-VCA setup to oscillator sync, filter FM, ring modulation and serial filters. Owners of a MIDI-retrofitted Chroma or Expander can transfer banks and individual patches via SysEx dump, and SysEx files can also be imported by drag and drop.

Features

• 16 voices with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch; 16 oscillators, filters, VCAs and LFOs and 32 envelope generators
• Chroma Expander adds a complete second Chroma synthesizer in layer or split mode
• 700 presets in over a dozen categories: the 250 original factory presets plus 450 new sounds
• 16 preconfigured signal paths, from VCO-VCF-VCA to oscillator sync, filter FM, ring modulation and serial filters
• Seven effects including distortion, phaser, flanger/chorus, delay and reverb, plus global EQ and limiter
• SysEx import from MIDI-retrofitted Chroma and Expander hardware and via drag and drop

Technical details

• Type: virtual instrument (synthesizer)
• Operating systems: Windows, macOS
• Plug-in formats: VST2, VST3, Audio Unit (macOS only), AAX, standalone
• Architecture: 64-bit
• Licensing: computer-bound, internet connection required for activation

System requirements

• macOS 10.13 or later
• Windows 7 or later
• Processor (macOS): Intel (3.4 GHz quad-core) or Apple Silicon
• Processor (Windows): 3.4 GHz quad-core
• RAM: 8 GB
• Disk space: 1 GB
• Internet connection required for product activation

The licence is registered with the manufacturer at https://store.cherryaudio.com/redeem. You will receive your serial number and the download link by e-mail immediately after purchase.