New Rhodes Chroma TouchOSC Templates Complete

Update: see this post for a port that does not require The Missing Link.
-----
One for The Missing Link and two for OSCulator. Click the images for the full size screens. They will show you every editable parameter on the Chroma. The template interfaces for The Missing Link and OSCulator are exactly the same. The only difference is in the message format each sends. You can find a video of the previous template in this post. It's roughly the same but I switched out sliders for toggles where appropriate for finer control over the parameters.

I sent the following to the Rhodes Chroma List and wanted to capture it here in a post. If you have a Chroma and are not on the list, you owe it to yourself to join it. See http://rhodeschroma.com for everything Chroma. It's an amazing resource.

"Hi everyone. The Chroma TouchOSC editors are ready. Yes editors plural. I made two, one for The Missing Link, and one for OSCulator so those that don't have The Missing Link can try it out. If you have an iPad and a Mac with MIDI you can get going right now. If you don't you can still check out the templates in the TouchOSC editor which runs on Windows, Mac or Linux.

If all of this is new to you and a little confusing. It's not as complicated as you think. Once you get set up it's a breeze and running the editor is as simple as launching a stand alone app for the iPad.

In short:
1. TouchOSC is an iOS and Android app that transmits OSC (Open Sound Control) Messages.
2. OSCulator and The Missing Link translates these messages into MIDI

TouchOSC
TouchOSC consists of two programs, an editor and the app that runs on the iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch, or Android. The editor runs on Windows, Mac or Linux and is where you design templates. The app runs your templates on an iOS or Android device.

OSCulator
OSCulator is an app that runs on a Mac only and acts as the translator for TouchOSC to MIDI. You connect from the iPad to your Mac over wireless.

The Missing Link is a little wireless TouchOSC MIDI device that does the same as OSCulator minus the need for a PC or Mac. It is also a class compliant USB MIDI merge device.

You can grab the templates here.

Setup Instructions for TouchOSC (only do this once):
1. Install TouchOSC on your iPad via iTunes or http://hexler.net/ It is free. Follow the instructions on site.
2. Install the TouchOSC editor http://hexler.net/software/touchosc Follow the instructions on site.

Setup Instructions for OSCulator (only do this once):
1. Install OSCulator: http://www.osculator.net...
2. Follow the Quickstart Guide: http://www.osculator.net/doc/

Install Templates:
1. Download the appropriate templates - two OSCulator files if you are going to use OSCulator or one ML file if you are going to use The Missing Link.
2. Copy the .touchosc file/s to the TouchOSC application folder.
3. Copy the .oscd file to the OSCulator application folder.
6. Double click/open the template you plan to use
7. Click on the Sync button
8. Open TouchOSC on your iPad
9. On the iPad, in TouchOSC's settings, click on the template name listed under Layout
10. Click on Add
11. Click on your computer's name. It should add the Chroma template
12. Click the TouchOSC button on the top left of the screen to get out of the Layout screen
13. Click Done on the top right of the TouchOSC screen. With The Missing Link you are good to go. For OSCulator:
14. Launch the Chroma OSCulator template, click on Parameters and set MIDI for your MIDI device - MIDI out of your Mac to MIDI in of your Chroma. You should be good to go.

If things don't seem to be working, close out of TouchOSC completely. Get out of the program, double click on the iPad's "launch/start" button, hold your finger down on the OSC icon for a few seconds and then click on the minus to close it. Make sure your iPad is connected to the same network as your Mac and then open TouchOSC again. Follow the setup instructions on hexler.net and/or osculator.net to make sure everything is connected properly.

Once setup is complete you can just launch whatever template you want to use and go.

A quick note: if you plan on using The Missing Link and OSCulator interchangeably, remember to switch the Network setting in the TouchOSC iPad app's settings. It does not auto discover like the iPad's wireless settings, so be sure to write them down."

TouchOSC - hexler
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Update: Some troubleshooting tips via Ben on the Rhodes Chroma list:

---OSCulator was not sending midi out of my interface, even though I had it selected to do so. I had to go into Audio Midi setup on my Mac, enable IAC, and then select it as an input source within OSCulator. It then properly passed the information out of my interface, an old first gen USB MOTU Midi Express XT. Although this is listed in the OSCulator manual, I didn't see it in any of the general setup instructions on Matrix's site so if you have this problem turning IAC on may fix it.
---The Chroma must be set to Extended Program mode... set split 36, parameter 6 set to on
---The Chroma must be set to Custom MCM mode... set split 18 set to Cust
That was pretty much it, the rest was just basic missteps with me learning how to get the Ipad/TouchOsc/Osculator stuff working properly.
Now that I have it working, It should be pretty solid unless I go start changing parameters.
Thanks everyone, and especially to Matrix for making this available for free!

TouchOSC iPad Template for the Rhodes Chroma

Rhodes Chroma TouchOSC Editor

YouTube via matrixsynth | November 21, 2010 |


"The Chroma has a slightly, conceptually different architecture than most analog poly synths. On most you have two oscillators that are routed through a filter with shared modulation sources such as envelopes and LFOs. On the Chroma, each of two oscillators, Wave A and Wave B have corresponding filters, Filter A and Filter B, LFOs called Sweep A and B, and so on. The routing is not fixed and is very flexible, meaning you can use modulation sources on B with A and vice versa. There is too much to go into here, so check out the excellent Rhodes Chroma site for more: http://rhodeschroma.com/.

As for this video, the Chroma starts with an initialized patch which only has one "Wave/Patch" active. In the beginning I adjust the pitch for Wave A which is active. I then show Wave B is inactive by attempting to adjust its pitch which does nothing. I then enable Wave B followed by applying various modulations to filter and pitch for both. This video is not a performance and is only meant to show a little of what the Rhodes Chroma TouchOSC editor is capable of." See the screens above for reference. Below is a shot of the iPad on top of the Chroma.

Update: see this post for an editor that does not require The Missing Link.

For The Missing Link you can find templates here. One is for TouchOSC and one is for OSCulator.

For those new to TouchOSC and OSCulator, TouchOSC provides a JazzMutant Lemur-like control interface that is completely configurable. You can read more about it on hexler.net here. TouchOSC only transmits Open Sound Control messages. To translate these messages to MIDI CC you need something like OSCulator.

The two templates in the share above are for TouchOSC and OSCulator. For TouchOSC you just need to drop the mapping in the templates folder and sync to your iPad. You can then select the mapping. For OSCulator, you just need to open the template, click on the Settings icon and set it to use whatever MIDI out you plan to hook into your Chroma. Note you do need the CC+ upgrade on your Chroma with MIDI set for Expanded Mode MCM.

The screens show all editable parameters of the Rhodes Chroma. If you have a Chroma, you owe it to yourself to check out the Rhodes Chroma website and join the email list.

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Rhodes CHROMA ARP Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

This is the second one listed today. These are beautiful instruments and thanks to the iPad, Chromas with the CC+ upgrade can now be edited in real time with a dedicated iPad editor.

Notes on this one via the listing: "Here is a Rhodes Chroma that has recently been restored to full operation by William Santana at Santana Musical Electronics of Portland, OR. The unit was purchased from the original owner and has already been upgraded with the SPSU that is currently available for the Chroma.

))))))))PLEASE READ(((((((((
The CPU in the unit is the original design but the CC+ CPU upgrade is on order now and will be available some time in March. Once the kit is available I would be willing to ship it to the seller as it's value is included with the sale price in this auction. No further costs will be incurred by the buyer of this unit for the value of the CC+. The CC+ will be shipped as soon as is received from the manufacturer. The only thing the buyer will have to make arrangements for is for the installation of the upgrade. The CC+ along with the SPSU brings the Chroma truly into the 21st century providing an enduring stable service life for many more years to come as well as many new and valuable features provided by the CC+. Read more info about it at: rhodeschroma.com

The CC+ is essential for full CC control of all parameters and has already been used to great benefit by the designer of the
Enabler Chroma interface, and the iPad Touch OSC interface:

The woodwork is all original. Due to the typical nature of the aging Rhodes Chroma, often the end caps are found to be stained from the degraded foam that lines the flight case for the Chroma. This unit came to me with foam stains but has since been refinished and the case has been refoamed as well.

As you can see in the pics, the cosmetic condition is very clean. I have since provided bushings under the front panel screws to give it a cleaner look. The tolex is very clean as well. Overall, this unit is an excellent example of the Rhodes Chroma model.

Also included is 2 extra channel boards. Parts have been removed from both of these boards to facilitate the restoration of this Chroma. Currently, NONE of the CEM ICs are present on these boards. However, there are other parts that are specific to the Chroma including the cards themselves. Both of the extra cards are the 2nd or 3 revisions that still had to have a jumper installed at the factory. The need for this jumper was corrected by the later revisions of the channel board which are what all 8 channel boards are currently loaded in the Chroma you see here.

The sound of the unit is big, organic and very deep. The keyboard is a real, wooden 64-note velocity-sensitive dream come true. The programming features are truly unlike any other synth. The "patch" parameter gives you several different routing options between the 2 voices on each card. Some have compared this to the "Algorithm" concept found in the Yamaha DX7.

This unit comes with all of the original accessories including:
Dual sustain/sostenuto pedal (Rhodes)
Single patch advance pedal (Rhodes)
Variable voltage control pedal (Rhodes)
3 x cassette interface cables (original) 2 x 5-pin 1 x 8 pin
Programming manual
Performance Manual
Syntech MIDI interface with all documentation
Front panel interface feature chart
2 x original factory patch cassettes

The Rhodes Chroma was the last product to come from ARP. This unit was to be ARPs big push back into the very competitive synthesizer market. They were definitely onto something. There were many innovation that were developed for this machine that were way ahead of its time. Unfortunately, ARP could not hold things together to release the product to market. Phillip Dodds, who was responsible for the Chromas development and the shutting down of ARP, managed to convince CBS to take up the design along with the R&D team to release it to market under the Rhodes badge. The Rhodes Chroma saw some hi-profile use and was definitely the "players" synthesizer in its day."

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Wireless iPad Editor for the Waldorf Pulse+ - TouchOSC & The Missing Link

The Missing Link TouchOSC Template for Waldorf Pulse

YouTube via matrixsynth | February 06, 2011

Note how you can jump between parameter values. You can't do that with traditional sliders and knobs.

TouchOSC editor for the Waldorf Pulse+. This should work with the Pulse as well. The editor is mapped for The Missing Link (wifimidi.com) wireless TouchOSC to MIDI device. No PC/Mac is used. Communication is as follows:

iPad ---(wireless)---> The Missing Link ---(MIDI cable)---> Pulse+

Note there is no PC in between. The Missing Link handles all communication between the iPad and the Pulse+, and communication between the iPad and The Missing Link is completely over wifi - no cables. You are free to roam with the iPad. The video above shows some basic editing of parameters to show how it works. Every editable parameter of the Pulse+ is featured along with some custom controls including touch pads, keys and more. Not in the demo, but on each screen you can see a red and green square. These are middle C note on and note off buttons for drones and experimentation with the controls when you do not want to use an arpeggiator. I actually have The Missing Link going into a MIDI Merge so I can use an external keyboard as well. The Missing Link is a class compliant MIDI USB device and can be used with the iPad camera connection kit as a CoreMIDI device or with your PC/Mac. Note in the beginning of the video the Pulse is sitting in a rack. The iPad with The Missing Link frees you of the rack and enhances the editing interface of the Pulse, making it much more usable in the studio or live setting. Below are screens for each page of the template in order. You can find the template here and on wifimidi.com here. You can find more info on The Missing Link wireless TouchOSC to MIDI box here. Click the screens below for the full size shots. Also see my Rhodes Chroma editor. I'll be testing and posting that in the coming week/s.










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CC+ Firmware Update for Rhodes Chroma

via David Clarke on the Rhodes Chroma list:

"Thank you all for your ongoing participation in the Chroma CPU Plus (CC+) project.

Firmware Release 217 (http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=cpuplusfirmware#217) has just been made available.

Based on user requests, the newly released version of firmware adds the following items:

* Native support for the SparkFun serial LCD controller
* Autotune failure information display [Set Split 40]
* User-defined MIDI velocity mapping
* Auto-send of patch parameters with a Program Change

Two elements are also changed in this release:

* Correction for the ‘reset’ issue noted here:
http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=2012&month=01#cpuplusfirmwarehiccup

* Update the MIDI Continuous Controller “Prog” Mode to allow automatic LCD decoding of patches from BCR2000, Enabler, iPad, etc.

Details and other notes are below:

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Rhodes Chroma CC+ Upgrade Turns Six

CC+ firmware release 215 offers Random Patch Generator, Support for Parameter feedback for ‘knob boxes’ and more.

via David Clarke on the Rhodes Chroma list. If you are interested in the Rhodes Chroma, be sure to check out the excellent http://rhodeschroma.com/

"Happy Birthday to the CC+.

The first CC+ orders were placed in June, 2006. Now five years later, these boards are still being produced and we’re still adding features suggested by CC+ users.

The newly released version of firmware (215) adds the following items:

* Support for transmission of Monophonic (Channel) Pressure via MIDI
* Program 0 SYSEX dump via [Set Split 20]
* Random Patch Generation with [Set Split 38]
* 'MIDI CC Data Request' SYSEX command

As well, operation has been updated such that a Program 0 SYSEX receive will automatically redefine the main and link instruments according to the new program.

Mono Pressure
-------------

[Set Split 36] + P16 (MIDI Pressure Mode) now gives users a choice as to whether they would like to transmit MIDI pressure as Polyphonic/Key pressure messages or Monophonic/Channel Pressure messages.

Setting P16 to "Pol" selects Polyphonic/Key pressure messages.
Setting P16 to "Chnl" selects Monophonic/Channel Pressure messages.


Program 0 SYSEX Dump/Receive
----------------------------

Pressing [Set Split 20] sends the current program over MIDI as a single program 0 SYSEX message.

Sending the 'program 0' SYSEX message back to the Chroma will make that patch the currently sounding one.

Together, these features can be used to allow a user to create a specific patch they like, send it to a sequencer for storage - and then to have the sequencer download just that the patch to the Chroma, so that you can always ensure that a sequence is playing exactly the patch of interest.


Random Patch Generator
----------------------

Pressing [Set Split 38] creates a random patch. A new random patch is created each time that key combination is pressed.


CC Parameter Dump Request
-------------------------

Sending the following SYSEX string to the Chroma will prompt the Chroma to dump all parameters of its current program via MIDI.

F0 08 00 4B 59 00 38 F7

This command is provided to allow parameter feedback for such editors as the BCR2000. Specifically - by programming this string into the 'Data Request' feature of the box, the current parameter state can be echoed back to the encoder rings.

Such a feature could also be used with other editors that support similar functionality.


Further information on these features is available on-line via the CC+ User's Manual (http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=cpuplusmanual) and in the CC+'s Firmware page (http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=cpuplusfirmware).

Please continue to raise new feature ideas here for discussion - and if there are items that users agree would be good to add, we'll certainly consider adding them.

Thank you for your continued interest.

(NOTE: CC+ units currently being built will ship with firmware version 215 pre-installed)."

The CC+ upgrade made these iPad editor possible:
New Rhodes Chroma TouchOSC Templates Complete
iChromaCC+

iChromaCC+ v1.2 Wireless iPad Editor Now Available

"Apple has released iChromaCC+ v1.2 for Rhodes Chroma fitted with a CC+ MIDI / CPU upgrade board, a free upgrade for all iChromaCC+ v1.1 users.

iChromaCC+ v1.2 offers:
- a display of the Chroma Patch 'algorithms / connections' on the iPad as drawn on the Chroma user manual; touch a Patch on the iPad, iChromaCC+ sends the MIDI command to select this Patch and highlight the Patch number on the iPad! You never have to open the user manual anymore!
- a redesigned look & feel for enhanced readability plus some very tiny UI adjustments to make the workflow even better
- parameter default value buttons. In v1.2, if you touch the parameter value label, it resets the label / slider to a default value (ex: VCO wave = Saw; VCF Freq = wide open, etc...) for each parameter... this is the fastest workflow you'll ever get in sound designing!"

iChromaCC+ - iControlMIDI
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TB MIDI Stuff iPad Editor for the Rhodes Chroma

You'll find it here.

"CHROMATROL FIREPAD is an iPad editor for Rhodes Chroma CC+ analog synthesizer. It is using the iPad app TB MIDI stuff. FIREPAD is programmed by Firechild , initial photoshopfile is made by Matt Thomas. All 50 parameters is accessible from one single screen , a button will switch to EDIT B. It is programmed on iPad Air but may work on earlier versions as well. You need to buy TB MIDI stuff from the iTunes store to be able to load and use the FIREPAD file which will be available here in late July 2014."

iTunes: TB MIDI Stuff - TBStuff

Musikmesse 2012 Pics via Keyboard Magazine [Mode Machines Minimoog, JP-80 IPad Editor, & More]

"Oddities and not-so-oddities from Frankfurt Muskmesse, the largest musical instrument expo show in the world."

Don't miss: PPG Modular & Waveterm, Rhodes Chroma, Mode Machines Minimoog?, Roland Jupiter-80 iPad Editor and more. http://www.keyboardmag.com/index

Rhodes Chroma in Custom Wood Case

This one in via Derek Jones of MusicInclusive

"I had a chance this weekend to play on a Rhodes Chroma owned by my friend and Analog Synthesis Course co-author David Hobson that was recently restored and upgraded by Sam Masuko of Three Wave Music. This is a wonderful synth with a great deal of potential and often overlooked. This particular model is also being controlled by the BCR 2000 pictured. Glad to have occasional access to this beast!"

Derek posted some additional info on MusicInclusive here.

You can find an iPad editor for the Rhodes Chroma here.

The iPad is a Game Changer for Editing and Controlling All Synths

This is a follow-up to the previous post on the Pulse+ TouchOSC template. After I put the post up I finally got to play and something crazy happened. I found a "bug" in my Chroma editor and discovered a whole new world of sound exploration. A very happy accident.

When creating the TouchOSC templates for the Waldorf Pulse and Rhodes Chroma, my intent was essentially to make a virtual hardware interface for every editable parameter along with a few touch pads - all traditional controls with expected value ranges. The equivalent of a PG-1000 plus some extras. What I discovered was much, much more than that. TouchOSC and the iPad is a major game changer. It will open up synths in a way never imagined. We will be able to do things never possible before now.

How? First, it will help if you think of sonic exploration and the editing of your synths in two ways. The first is relatively static and traditional. You edit the parameters of a patch to arrive at your sonic destination. Simple editing. The second is to view your patch as something you manipulate over time. Either hold a note, start a sequence or an arpeggiation and then edit. I did a bit of this with the Pulse video.

So, how is the iPad and TouchOSC a game changer? It will allow you to do things that you simply cannot with traditional hardware, opening up sound exploration in a way that was not possible before now. Controls will be designed specifically for this purpose. I alluded to this in the last post regarding being able to jump parameter settings vs. a continual slide as you would with hardware sliders and knobs, but after the post I accidentally discovered this was just the tip of the iceberg.

After the post I was no longer focused on testing the template. I was finally free to do a little exploring and two things happened.

The first was obvious. I was able to explore the synth more openly than ever before. Having everything in front of you and access to everything at once allowed me to try things not physically possible directly through the hardware UI of the Pulse. On the Pulse you can only edit one row of parameters at a time and you have to page through to get to them.

The second was not obvious and the reason for this post. Testing out the Rhodes Chroma editor, the filter cutoff and resonance sliders were acting sporadically. I realized the full range of each were repeating. For the filter cutoff the full range went from 0-50 on the slider and then again from 50-100. For the resonance it was repeating every centimeter or so. My first thought was of course, I need to fix this. But, not now. I wanted to play. I had a chord drone going with a fairly long release time. I was just transitioning between chords to get kind of a trance vibe going. I then started using the sliders. At first I tried to only use the bottom half for cutoff but every now and then I'd hit that midway tipping point and it would go down to zero. But.... I found this had an interesting effect on the drone. I then started messing with the resonance slider. It was a very, very cool effect to say the least and I had full control over it. This wasn't something I could do with a PG-1000 controller. This wasn't something I could do on a knob laden Minimoog. It was then that I realized this is a major, major game changer. Not only was I able to interact with a thirty year old synth in a way I never had before, but I was able to interact with a synth in a way never possible before.

So what does this mean? I don't know yet, but I do know it will change how I think of creating controllers for synths. The default is to expose all editable parameters in the logical 0-100% value range. From there? Custom controls with oddball value ranges to do who knows what. Synthesizers have always been about synthesis to me. Not just an end point but synthesis and sound exploration over time. The iPad and custom controls with TouchOSC will allow me to do things never before possible. This is the start of it all.

Update via Kyle in the comments: "I always knew there were parameters of the synth that were "inaccessible," due to the limited values of the preexisting editing controls. With proprietary plugs and no gumption to spend hundreds of hours around this, I'm thinking this could be very cool."

I thought this captured it perfectly. The sound engine of synths are capable, we just didn't have the ability to tap into certain aspects of it before. It's the equivalent of unlocking doors. We now have the ability to create keys to a new universe of sonic exploration. We just don't what the keys are yet. A lot of it will be subtle, but never-the-less amazing when you consider it and even more so when you experience it first hand.

Update:

Video of the Happy Accident. I screwed up my camera's video settings, so apologies for the low resolution. As for what your are seeing, it is very simple. The cutoff resets at the midway point and the resonance repeats much more often. At the end you can hear some percussive sounds coming out when I move the resonance slider. One other thing I discovered with TouchOSC is that once you select a slider you can actually move your finger anywhere on the screen including over other controls without triggering them. You can see my thumb move away from the resonance slider while still manipulating it.


The Happy Accident


Update: Note how you hear a sweep moving up and a "pop" moving down. It's because the sweep up goes from 0 - max smoothly through all values while the sweep down goes from 0 - max instantaneously. That along with jumping values are only two of the things you can't do with traditional hardware. Again, as stated above, who knows what's possible. The point is that it now is. This video might not be that impressive on it's own as unfortunately it doesn't really capture the effect of first noticing the anomoly while expecting something else to happen, but hopefully you get the point. As Art stated in the comments, "I'm excited about the same thing, particularly making it easy to move between multiple simultaneous parameters (morphing between patches basically, but with however much real time control you desire) as well as putting synced sequencers into the mix to automate some of that morphing. Think MIDI-synced LFOs and ENVs on steroids." Take a look at this noteplex video. Imagine that controlling your synths, and not just note values, but assignable sysex and MIDI CC parameters.

Update: here we go - currently supports OSC to MIDI via OSCulator.

Roads Chroma analog synth with CC plus and SPSU Kit

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

These are beautiful instruments and thanks to the iPad, Chromas with the CC+ upgrade can now be edited in real time with a dedicated iPad editor.

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Mitsakos Audio iPad Editor for Sequential SixTrack with Patch Librarian & Mono Mode

Published on Mar 20, 2015 keyboardmag1

At 2:23 he talks about setting the synth to play in true mono mode. The Six-trak only supported a unison mono mode which stacked all six voices. Patch memory is stored on the cloud. Editors for other synths including the Roland Alpha Juno, KORG DW-8000, Oberheim Matrix-6 and Rhodes Chroma should follow. The editors will be made available via Mitsakos Audio brand.

"Bill Mitsakos' real-time touchscreen editor for the vintage Six-Trak synth. CORRECTION: Guy Taylor is formerly of Swithced-On music; now he has his own Bay Area modular webstore called I/O Music Technology: http://io-mt.com"

New Rhodes Chroma Template for TouchOSC

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Leon van der Sangen created a new TouchOSC editor for the Rhodes Chroma. It's based on my templates but does not require The Missing Link or a PC or Mac to interpret OSC to MIDI. This one works directly with the iPad and MIDI via the camera connection kit. You can find full details and the download links on the Rhodes Chroma site here.

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TouchOSC - hexler