@javiceres yeah I just got another one to repair it looks like! Well thought out beast for sure. Probably won't be able to get it ready for a month and a half at least though.
@safetybarbara I get there often. I worked on a couple people's machines last time I was there. A guy on the east side has a marvelous collection. Jupiter 8, 6, prophet 5, Oberheims etc. Wish I could have finished everything for him..I have more work there when I return if I want it. I grew up in Corvallis and Mom is still there.
When the release is high on mine (I just got one) it as a nice slow fade, but then all of a sudden the sound just cuts. I've experimented with all of the settings for the sustain, release, etc. and it keeps doing that. Does that sound normal to anyone? We couldn't tell if it's just weird like that or if it's broken. I'm used to my Juno 6 that works really well and has a fairly slow, but at least SMOOTH release. For me this is a super troubling and serious problem!
@safetybarbara Sounds like the calbration procedure may need to be done on it. This is a common issue. THe service manual has instructions on how to do that.
I watched this video a long time ago and now I have a Chroma Polaris of my own! I bought it for too much though because one of the keys only makes sound half of the time and the release, or maybe the decay is funky on it.
Bladder switches can be problematic...but there is still value in these great old synths. The Polaris is one of the heavier beasts to move around...real hardware circuits and switches in there. But the pulse width modulation and ring modulator made this a very unique synth and could do bell tones with the best of the FM's. All this remembrance is making me want one again. 6 voices was limiting but a true analog synth for a good price, me thinks. Cheers, Sam
I played one of these for 10 years. One of the nice features you don't cover is that the sequencer remember all panel changes in real time and you can play the sequencer along with keyboard splits, giving you 3 sounds at once. Sequencer is real time only. No arpeggiator though. Really excellent synth engine but keys are not very responsive and midi was somewhat difficult and buggy. But I loved it and recorded with it up to 2003.
@newpro5657 Yeah they are neat. I just fixed up another one that has some cracks around the buttons and we had to do some paint detail work. Looks pretty good now. They are really worth fixing up for sure. So many cool tricks! :) Thanks for adding that.
Hey if you know anybody looking for one I got lucky and found a sweet one to fix up. Not even any cracks around the numbers and letters! (Common from years of pressing in patch selections...) I need to save the sounds before I get rid of that one. Some of the sounds are really great on it.
I was working on a Polaris II earlier tonight. The volume slider was broken and trace cracked by it. You can't set the adc and dac when it's busted so hopefully it'll work when I adjust it tomorrow.
I used to own a Polaris. It's sitting in a friend's synth museum. The ADSDR/ADR took some getting used to, but what an awesome sounding analog synth. Basically the most powerful ARP ever made.
But it wasn't really an ARP, was it? I think this was when the entire CBS/Rhodes/Fender alliance was falling apart, and Rhodes tried to spin off the synth division into a new company so that they could concentrate on the pianos.
It wasn't a bad synth, but it didn't really have a whole lot to distinguish itself from the other polysynths of the time--not to mention the DX7 and other digital synths were more or less ruling the roost. That couldn't have helped much.
Technically you are correct. But both the Chroma and Polaris were in development by ARP when purchased by Rhodes. The Polaris definitely has an "ARP" sound, at least when you compare it to the Quadra, and then compare it to other synths of the era (OBXa, Prophet 5, Jupiter 8, etc.)
Yes, the DX7 and FM/Digital craze killed any hope this fine synth had of real financial success.
The ARP engineers were the primary developers of this and the Chroma as I understand it as indicated by zenmachinefilms. The Chroma was the first computer controlled mass production polysynth and the first one to use the dial entry notion. Then they returned to sliders on the polaris a few years later. The main things that set polaris apart are 1) both MIDI and Chroma i/f. 2) more multitimbral mapping than voices :-) (8) 3) split slider entry so eg. bender can work on just held notes or all
Thanks a lot for the nice presentation. It helped me discover that beautiful instrument. I bought one after watching this this video and listening to those cool sounds.
Oh I see why youtube was dumb looking me. Apparently they don't allow any links to be posted. as soon as I took out the dot on the above comment it posted right away. Brother. Anyway hey I'll try to do another set of vids soon :-)
Here's a tip: start playing straight away, then if you need you have to say something, say it. Most people just want to hear the sound of those things they'll never be able to own..like a OB 4-voice :)
Oh I know, I'll be doing more of that. I just saw a huge lack of information about some of these machines and thought I'd fill in some of the potholes first :-) I'll be back tomorrow and hopefully will get back into the video production. I'm going to try to have my friend Bill Rhodes follow me around the studio with the cam while invoking a bunch of instruments together in a movement.
I thought I posted to make sure and check my sounddoctorin com global synth help pages pack faq (shipping near the top). Make sure all shipper's review that simple bit of instruction before they go putting on in cardboard only like they did mine. Minor damage that was easy to repair on mine amazingly.
One of the greatest things about the Polaris is it's sound. Once you have heard it nothing else compares. The sound quality of the Polaris is thanks to all Curtis chips. If you spend some time with this monster you will understand. It can produce Moog to oberheim and everything in between and do it with sonic texture none of these digital Va's or many other analogs can even come close to.
Yup, writing sounds is a lot of fun on it. I modified a lot of them and did a bunch of originals but some of the factory ones are so great I just set up the control pedal on them and left them alone. I also would not that often the raspy sounds are a result of running the pulse width out of range :-). It can sound really bad when that happens. ONE thing they could have done there is to cause the pulse width to 'wrap' instead of just going to zero and staying there until the mod returns it.
The best demo of this instrument on Youtube.
trashbaggage 1 month ago
Über cool instrument
javiceres 2 months ago
@javiceres yeah I just got another one to repair it looks like! Well thought out beast for sure. Probably won't be able to get it ready for a month and a half at least though.
sounddoctorin 2 months ago
I wish you lived in Portland. I looked at the manuel and have no idea what it is telling me to do. Thanks though!
safetybarbara 1 year ago
@safetybarbara I get there often. I worked on a couple people's machines last time I was there. A guy on the east side has a marvelous collection. Jupiter 8, 6, prophet 5, Oberheims etc. Wish I could have finished everything for him..I have more work there when I return if I want it. I grew up in Corvallis and Mom is still there.
sounddoctorin 1 year ago
When the release is high on mine (I just got one) it as a nice slow fade, but then all of a sudden the sound just cuts. I've experimented with all of the settings for the sustain, release, etc. and it keeps doing that. Does that sound normal to anyone? We couldn't tell if it's just weird like that or if it's broken. I'm used to my Juno 6 that works really well and has a fairly slow, but at least SMOOTH release. For me this is a super troubling and serious problem!
safetybarbara 1 year ago
@safetybarbara Sounds like the calbration procedure may need to be done on it. This is a common issue. THe service manual has instructions on how to do that.
sounddoctorin 1 year ago
I watched this video a long time ago and now I have a Chroma Polaris of my own! I bought it for too much though because one of the keys only makes sound half of the time and the release, or maybe the decay is funky on it.
safetybarbara 1 year ago
Bladder switches can be problematic...but there is still value in these great old synths. The Polaris is one of the heavier beasts to move around...real hardware circuits and switches in there. But the pulse width modulation and ring modulator made this a very unique synth and could do bell tones with the best of the FM's. All this remembrance is making me want one again. 6 voices was limiting but a true analog synth for a good price, me thinks. Cheers, Sam
newpro5657 1 year ago
I played one of these for 10 years. One of the nice features you don't cover is that the sequencer remember all panel changes in real time and you can play the sequencer along with keyboard splits, giving you 3 sounds at once. Sequencer is real time only. No arpeggiator though. Really excellent synth engine but keys are not very responsive and midi was somewhat difficult and buggy. But I loved it and recorded with it up to 2003.
newpro5657 1 year ago
@newpro5657 Yeah they are neat. I just fixed up another one that has some cracks around the buttons and we had to do some paint detail work. Looks pretty good now. They are really worth fixing up for sure. So many cool tricks! :) Thanks for adding that.
sounddoctorin 1 year ago
Amazing machine, these old keys were truly complex at these old ages^^
kitkatworld 2 years ago
amazing the way you rejuvinate these oldies..
guitarharpsichord 2 years ago
Hey if you know anybody looking for one I got lucky and found a sweet one to fix up. Not even any cracks around the numbers and letters! (Common from years of pressing in patch selections...) I need to save the sounds before I get rid of that one. Some of the sounds are really great on it.
I was working on a Polaris II earlier tonight. The volume slider was broken and trace cracked by it. You can't set the adc and dac when it's busted so hopefully it'll work when I adjust it tomorrow.
sounddoctorin 2 years ago
Comment removed
TheMilford 2 years ago
I think I know what you mean from seeing a Moog Source( in the 80's) with the membrane control surface...
guitarharpsichord 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Nice Video! I'll be subscribing to your channel and looking forward to further updates.
When you get a chance take a look at some of the video's i've uploaded. Some pretty insane motorcycle and ATV videos on there
busakings 2 years ago
Great demo of a great synth.
I used to own a Polaris. It's sitting in a friend's synth museum. The ADSDR/ADR took some getting used to, but what an awesome sounding analog synth. Basically the most powerful ARP ever made.
Too bad this video clip isn't in stereo. :-(
zenmachinefilms 3 years ago
But it wasn't really an ARP, was it? I think this was when the entire CBS/Rhodes/Fender alliance was falling apart, and Rhodes tried to spin off the synth division into a new company so that they could concentrate on the pianos.
It wasn't a bad synth, but it didn't really have a whole lot to distinguish itself from the other polysynths of the time--not to mention the DX7 and other digital synths were more or less ruling the roost. That couldn't have helped much.
cubdukat 2 years ago
Technically you are correct. But both the Chroma and Polaris were in development by ARP when purchased by Rhodes. The Polaris definitely has an "ARP" sound, at least when you compare it to the Quadra, and then compare it to other synths of the era (OBXa, Prophet 5, Jupiter 8, etc.)
Yes, the DX7 and FM/Digital craze killed any hope this fine synth had of real financial success.
zenmachinefilms 2 years ago
it still amazes me that an absolute piece of SHIT like a dx-7, killed the analog market.
Fast forward to the present, and everybody knows that analogs are the most desirable/friendly instruments, while dx-7's can be found for a mere $75.
MARANTZamp 2 years ago
The ARP engineers were the primary developers of this and the Chroma as I understand it as indicated by zenmachinefilms. The Chroma was the first computer controlled mass production polysynth and the first one to use the dial entry notion. Then they returned to sliders on the polaris a few years later. The main things that set polaris apart are 1) both MIDI and Chroma i/f. 2) more multitimbral mapping than voices :-) (8) 3) split slider entry so eg. bender can work on just held notes or all
sounddoctorin 2 years ago
Wow, you certainly know your way around this great synth. Quite a collection you have!
plinko747 3 years ago
One of the coolest synths ever! Thanks for posting this video.
Deepwatermusic 3 years ago
Thanks a lot for the nice presentation. It helped me discover that beautiful instrument. I bought one after watching this this video and listening to those cool sounds.
pianist007 3 years ago
great demo.
mku17ra 3 years ago
Thanks for the vid
very inspiring
myuhlz 3 years ago
Will you just play the damn thing already! Jeesus!
pacosaidso 3 years ago
Oh I see why youtube was dumb looking me. Apparently they don't allow any links to be posted. as soon as I took out the dot on the above comment it posted right away. Brother. Anyway hey I'll try to do another set of vids soon :-)
sounddoctorin 3 years ago
Here's a tip: start playing straight away, then if you need you have to say something, say it. Most people just want to hear the sound of those things they'll never be able to own..like a OB 4-voice :)
pacosaidso 3 years ago
Oh I know, I'll be doing more of that. I just saw a huge lack of information about some of these machines and thought I'd fill in some of the potholes first :-) I'll be back tomorrow and hopefully will get back into the video production. I'm going to try to have my friend Bill Rhodes follow me around the studio with the cam while invoking a bunch of instruments together in a movement.
sounddoctorin 3 years ago
Great video, I am just discovering the Chroma, very awesome sound!
synthartist69 3 years ago
LOL!!!
Drivethebeat 3 years ago
I just ordered a used Polaris online, praying it survives shipping especially all those darn buttons that break supposedly!
Love the vid
TheRadarMonkey 3 years ago
I thought I posted to make sure and check my sounddoctorin com global synth help pages pack faq (shipping near the top). Make sure all shipper's review that simple bit of instruction before they go putting on in cardboard only like they did mine. Minor damage that was easy to repair on mine amazingly.
sounddoctorin 3 years ago
it's amazing, some patches of yours even sound like ppg wave!
eiffe 3 years ago 2
Yes! Very underratted synth! Love mine to death.
cephal0p0d 4 years ago 3
One of the greatest things about the Polaris is it's sound. Once you have heard it nothing else compares. The sound quality of the Polaris is thanks to all Curtis chips. If you spend some time with this monster you will understand. It can produce Moog to oberheim and everything in between and do it with sonic texture none of these digital Va's or many other analogs can even come close to.
teknobeam 4 years ago 2
Yup, writing sounds is a lot of fun on it. I modified a lot of them and did a bunch of originals but some of the factory ones are so great I just set up the control pedal on them and left them alone. I also would not that often the raspy sounds are a result of running the pulse width out of range :-). It can sound really bad when that happens. ONE thing they could have done there is to cause the pulse width to 'wrap' instead of just going to zero and staying there until the mod returns it.
sounddoctorin 4 years ago
nice range of sounds.
Supernovae565 4 years ago